I've been reading a lot about horse-riding and equine-assisted therapy recently, and thought that I might share our personal experience (I am reposting my own post from Facebook/Autism forum).
I know how difficult it is to find a place where your child will have a great time, and where nobody will be judgemental and giving unsolicited advice.
We've been taking our son horse-riding to a local farm, and he enjoys it very much. We didn't have a miraculous recovery like in the recent book "Horse boy" (neither did I expect a miracle). But his balance has much improved, and he is very confident now.
Last summer by pure chance while googling "horse riding in Cornwall" I came across a place called The Old Vicarage.
http://www.oldvicaragepenzance.co.uk/ We loved it so much that this Easter we went back for a week of horse-riding.
We stayed at the Old Vicarage farm. Our son was delighted to be back at the place that he remembered so well. The lady of the house Rosie really spoilt him rotten and allowed him to do whatever he liked, took him to the fields to feed stallions, allowed him to climb on the farm equipment. He was very happy to be given a ride in a smelly wheelbarrow too. I particularly enjoyed the rapport between our son and Rosie, he listened to her and performed simple tasks like brushing the horse, carrying the stirrups and buckets, even cleaning the stables with a broom and a rake (though rather symbolically, bless him).
We stayed in a two room suite. It is very spacious and beautiful. The double bed is very comfy (which is an extra bonus, as I usually don't sleep well in hotels etc, as often beds are either sagging or hard rocks).
We were offered a selection of breakfasts, all tasty and the portions were very generous.
Each mornig after breakfast we went to the stables next to the house and my guys (son and husband) had horse-riding sessions. I think they particulalry enjoyed riding in the countryside. Also my son was delighted to ride on big horses.
The farm uses the Western style/technique of riding, and they breed Morgan horses, so beautiful and intelligent. You should have seen the most gorgeous Texan saddle that our son was using for riding.
The most memorable experience of the trip was riding on the beach on a lovely sunny morning. The beach was empty, and the sight of horses on the beach was something I will treasure forever. We didn't have a chance to ride on the beach in summer, as the beach was a hive of acitvity, so for safety reasons we couldn't do it, but as it was Easter this time and not that hot to be sun bathing, the beach was basically all ours. My son loves the sea and the horses, so for him a combination of the two was just pure ecstasy. He could hardly believe his own luck. And I was moved to see him so happy, relaxed and confident.
They also started an equine assisted therapy programme at the Old Vicarage recently. It is not aimed at the people on the spectrum as such, but they welcome children with special needs.
John and Rosie and all the guys at the farm and stables made our boy feel very special indeed, and he was very happy there.
Just thought I'd share our great experience with you.
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