A Bit More About Me - My Job

This is Homer, the loveliest pony in the world. He is a ride and drive pony at Clwyd Special Riding Centre, where I work and he's really popular with our riders and our volunteers.
I have been working at the Centre since August 2005 and I really enjoy my job. Myself and two other grooms look after around 27 horses which are used to give riding and carriage driving lessons to children and adults with a wide range of physical and learning disabilities. We look after every aspect of the horses and ponies life, including health, feeding, exercising and of course lots of mucking out.
I originally got involved with CSRC through my brother, Richard who has severe learning disabilities. I started volunteering in his lessons about 3 years ago. Volunteers lead the horses around the school - lots of the riders remain on a lead rein as they cannot ride independently. Some riders also require side walkers whose job it is to relay instructions to the rider and to help the rider with their balance and sitting position. Its really rewarding and all our riders really enjoy their lessons. The lessons could not happen if it wasn't for the people who give up their free time to come and help us out. Riding lessons give valuable physiotherapy to the riders and also provide enjoyment and a sense of independence and achievement to our riders - something the rest of us probably take for granted most of the time.
So thats a little bit about what I spend 45 hours of my week doing... speaking of which, I'm due to be there in about half an hour so I'd better dash...!