About The Centre

Windy hollow was established in 1982, providing able-bodied riding instruction. Our program was re-evaluated in 1998 to be more therapeutically based, and in 2004 became a registered non-profit organization. The centre is administrated by Helen du Plessis and all instruction (therapeutic, sport and skills) is conducted and supervised by her.

More About Helen

• The level one certificate course with SATRA, (South African Therapeutic Riding Association) achieving an overall pass rate of +/- 80%
• The level one instructor's certificate with SANEF (South African National Equestrian Federation)
• The Bowen Massage Technique - October 2000
• International Paralympics Equestrian Instructors course - August 2001
• Beaulieu Equestrian Academy - March 2002
• South African Red Cross Society First Aid and CPR certificate

What We Do

In South Africa there is very little criteria on good or bad procedures for use within a therapeutic riding program, everything that is used is derived from literature and recommendations made in the UK and USA.

Where We Are Situated

We are situated in Apple Orchards, near Walkerville, 30 minutes drive south of Johannesburg, South Africa. We are often told that our farm is too far to travel to, but when choosing our location we decided on a peaceful, clean and quiet country atmosphere was going to play a very big part in our success rate.

Considering that concentration and learning difficulties are said to stem from our modern diet (artificial colorants and flavourants), the atmosphere (chemicals in the air that we breathe), and low frequency noise (traffic and almost unheard town noise etc).

About Our Staff, Pupils And Horses
Our Horses

We currently have 17 horses and ponies residing at the centre. Most of our horses that we use are previously abused. This gives them more empathy with our children's situation. For more on our horses click here.

Our Riders

We attend to the needs of about 40 riders per week during school terms, but have the capacity to do 30 riders per day. We restrict numbers in the name of safety and actively only instruct six to ten rehabilitative riders, if sufficient assisting staff are available at that time. Take into consideration that some of our riders need two to three assistants to ensure their safety.

Our Staff

We currently only employ one full time staff member. David is the head groom at the centre and looks after the horses. We and the horses are really thankful for all that David has done for us. Read our tribute to David here.

We don't use volunteer staff as done by many other therapeutic riding organisations. We aim to create sustainable development in our local community. Most of the 10 to 15 leaders and side-walkers are elderly and illiterate making it hard for them to find alternative employment. All the staff receive independent facilitated training. A responsibility incentive or bonus is given to staff who effectively make themselves aware of the safety needs of our riders, which ensures a high standard of workmanship.

Until December 2003, all our financial requirements were generated through client payments for the services that we rendered. We have however realised that a large part of the community needing our services have limited resources and so don't have funds available to cover the costs of therapy.

We would like to extend the program we offer so that we would be utilising the potential of the infrastructure we have to do more riders. In order to make this possible we will be reliant on donations and sponsorship.

Donations are welcome in any form! For more information on how to help, visit our Friends page. To get acquainted with the horses and staff please visit our gallery.

"A horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle." (Ian Fleming, 1908-1964.)