Millie Boo's Story
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Millie Boo Smith was born fourteen weeks premature. She has cerebral palsy which mainly affects her right hand side and overall balance. Millie Boo also suffers from uncontrollable tremors. It was discovered when she was around seven that her hearing was severely affected and she wears hearing aids in both ears.
Millie's parents struggled to find hobbies for Millie Boo. They tried swimming which went quite well but then found an article on equine therapy and the effect that could have on core strength, balance and overall well being. Their research led them to their local Riding for the Disabled group. After an initial assessment Millie Boo started riding sessions one day a week at RDA. She loved her first encounter with horses. She learned the basics and with the help and the skills of the RDA coaches and volunteers in the beginning really gave Millie Boo the confidence to take her riding to another level. Riding started as therapy but Millie Boo soon showed natural aptitude. In June 2016 she entered her first RDA dressage competition and won a walk only class. That October she went on to triumph in a walk and trot class and in 2017 she achieved her ambition of competing at the RDA National Championships at Hartpury. |
In Millie Boo's parents words
"Millie Boo's orthopaedic surgeon is amazed at the strength of her core and muscle tone in her legs and cannot think of a better form of exercise & therapy. We cannot thank RDA enough for their help" Back to case studies |
