A WOMAN with autism is “living her best life” after taking up horse riding again, according to her sister.
Nicole Beever is one of eight young adults supported at Kingsley Court in Horsham, a residential care home for people with complex learning disabilities.
Horse riding has been part of the 30-year-old’s routine since she moved to Kingsley Court in July 2018, and she was “very happy” to return to the weekly horse-riding sessions after the activity was paused during the pandemic.
Her sister Michaella Beever said:“Nicole has always loved horses, so to be able to go horse riding once a week really is contributing to Nicole living her best life.
“She tells us every week that she has had a great time and that her horse Bambi had fun too.”
Nicole added: “I’m very happy to be horse riding again, I took turns riding Bambi, and I can’t wait for next week.”
The therapeutic horse-riding, organised by Nicole’s support team, takes place at Burstow Park Riding Centre in Horley and has helped to significantly improve Nicole’s health over the last few years.
Tendai Funganjera, head of residential services at Pathway, which runs the care home, said: “Nicole loves horse riding and gets such a lot of joy from the activity, it is fantastic to have it as part of her weekly routine again.
“Nicole benefits from consistent routines and she has been much calmer and less anxious since her weekly horse riding has resumed. This has helped with how she communicates and is a great way of developing her engagement with the local community.
“There have been great improvements in Nicole’s health since she moved into Kingsley Court. Participating in active pastimes, such as the horse riding, and also having a balanced diet at the home as helped her improve her overall health and wellbeing.
“In addition to her love of horses, Nicole is a big fan of Disney and enjoys watching the films and reading Disney magazines, she also enjoys spending time in her community, going shopping and taking walks.”
Joining Nicole on the weekly trip to the riding centre are Alex, Brandon, and Thomas, a few of the other young adults supported at Kingsley Court.
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