Equine therapy is an unconventional form of treatment for people with special needs and mental health challenges.
However, the National Disability Insurance Scheme sees Perth’s equine therapy centres as only recreational.
This results in a lower rate of funding for equine therapy clients, forcing them to pay for services that may otherwise be covered by the government.
Claremont Therapeutic Riding Centre clients Sara Cann and Jordan Hill have used horses to achieve incredible goals.
Here are their stories, and the benefits equine therapy can offer for people with special needs.
View a photo gallery below of the riders and equine specialists mentioned in the story.
Sara Cann feeding Choco. Photo: Matthew Goddard. 
M’Liss Henry (right) helping Jordan Hill (left) get on his horse, Spud. Photo: Matthew Goddard. 
Sara Cann stroking Choco. Photo: Matthew Goddard. 
Sara Cann riding Choco. Photo: Matthew Goddard. 
Jordan Hill (left) and Sara Cann (right) high-fiving. Photo: Matthew Goddard. 
Sara Cann in Choco’s play area. Photo: Matthew Goddard. 
Choco above Sara Cann. Photo: Matthew Goddard. 
M’Liss Henry with Choco. Photo: Matthew Goddard. 
Louise Atkinson with one of the special horses she uses for equine-assisted counselling. Photo: Matthew Goddard.