benefits and riding for the disabled

have rode all my life until 7yrs ago after accident my consultant asked me if I would like to try it again with support as he feels this would be very good for myself and would not do any more damage to legs that is not already done so over the moon I was and we set about buying a mounting stage so 2 people could help me on and one holding horse whilst another lifted my right over we payed for leg braces to be made in the usa to use when riding and a hand made saddle to support my seat with handles on it as well I would only be riding for half an hour at a time walking only with some one walking next to me and the horse I would have used is highly trained horse and have been asked loads of times if we would loan him to the disabled riding school so knows his job every thing has been payed for from my sons company not benefits I claim support and dla the dla have said ok not a problem but adviser at dwp for support has said no and would lose my benefits tried to explain this would only be once a week at most is this right that a consultant can advise you do do something for your well been and dwp over rules this no one seems to know including the disabled riding schools that have heard a few of these cases any advice would be very helpful and if it can stop my benefits or do I just sit in the house now and do nothing thanks

thank you for the advice we have been on to the RDA UK who are looking into this matter as had a few people contacting them on this they have sent emails to the dwp and its contracters on this matter as it could effect a lot of disabled riders and the good it does riders of all ages.should be interesting as goes against all the funding it gets from the lottery and gov, more so with the adverts it is now running at the moment telling people about disabled riding

Hi there,
I went through all this exactly with my sons and eventually got the answer that if your doctor or consultant is willing to state that this is a form of physiotherapy which it can be as physiotherapists can suggest it as a therapy as it can improve muscle tone etc.the DWP cannot say it is a leisure activity.I do strongly suggest that you get medical professional to put it in writing that it is a therapy session or you will hit a brick wall regasrdind benefits.
Hope that helps as it took me seven months to get the above agreed.

thank you very much for your reply we are going to see my consultants in nov both have said that they will wright any letters needed also my gp as well explaining why they have said it and also that they is nothing any thing else can be done for my legs now and hopefully trying to build up muscle might buy me some time in keeping them, what do you do when you got them do you go and see some one from the dwp with them or just send in copies for them to put on file thanks again trying to ride is the only thing I have left to look forward too.