Jeju Autonomous Police Horse Unit Operates 'Visiting Equestrian Classes for People with Disabilities'

Equestrian Class Held 133 Times with 4,190 Participants... Contributing to Rehabilitation Motivation and Emotional Development

The Jeju Autonomous Police Unit Mounted Division (Chief Park Gi-nam) announced on the 5th that it will operate a year-round horseback riding experience education program for people with disabilities, targeting public special schools in the province.

So far, this education program has provided horseback riding experiences using Jeju horses to 4,190 people with disabilities over a total of 133 sessions, enhancing their rehabilitation motivation and helping improve their quality of life through the joy of interacting with living horses.

The Mounted Unit of the Jeju Autonomous Police Agency operates a year-round horseback riding experience education program for people with disabilities, targeting public special schools in the province.
[Photo by Jeju Autonomous Police Agency Mounted Unit]

This year as well, considering the mobility difficulties of people with disabilities, starting from Seogwipo Onseong School on the 23rd of last month, the program visits three schools including Jeju Yeongsong School and Jeju Yeongji School once a week every Thursday, offering customized services such as horseback riding experiences, horse petting, and commemorative photo sessions.

A special education teacher who applied for the horseback riding class last year said, “Just being able to get close to animals provides a lot of stimulation, but having the opportunity to ride a horse directly was a precious chance not only from a rehabilitation perspective but also to expand the limited experiences caused by disabilities,” adding, “I hope such opportunities are not one-time events but continue to expand so that students with disabilities have more chances.”

In addition, the program actively supports emotional development through unique experiences tailored to children’s perspectives and bonding with horses by operating a “Visiting Horseback Riding Experience Class for Children” every Wednesday.

Furthermore, mounted patrols have been expanded throughout urban areas including major tourist sites, Tamna Culture Plaza, Citizen Welfare Town Plaza, Chilseong-ro Car-Free Street, and the Comprehensive Stadium, maximizing the mobility and visual impact of horses to help eliminate blind spots in security, prevent crime, and maintain order.

Jeong Jae-cheol, head of the Autonomous Police Unit Mounted Division, said, “We will continue to expand horseback riding experience activities to show interest, communicate, and empathize with socially vulnerable groups such as children and people with disabilities, and strive to provide many opportunities to interact with horses in Jeju, the hometown of horses.”

Jeju = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won baekok@asiae.co.kr