CHARITY HorsePower Hills, which has provided horse riding for more than a thousand people with disabilities since 1978, has obtained a new home in Chidlow.

HorsePower Hills head coach Willie Warnock said the new property would help HorsePower meet the growing demand for their hippotherapy and small group horse-riding programs.

At 6.5ha the Chidlow property is almost three times the size of their current riding centre.

“Our new home will allow us to continue to make a difference to our participants’ lives,’’ the coach said.

“We have a number of innovations in mind and our riders, their families and carers will love the new centre and so will our volunteers and horses.

“Chidlow is a tranquil location and our new property has wildflowers and shady trails.

“We will take a few months to get the property ready for riding and we are looking for more volunteers to help us realise this opportunity.”

HorsePower Hills president and retired physiotherapist Sheila Seal said the organisation was faced with losing their riding centre in Sawyers Valley next April.

She said the the search for a new permanent site started in 2017 and had been enthusiastically supported by Kalamunda MLA Matthew Hughes.

“Mr Hughes did not want the community to lose our valuable services,’’ she said.

“Equine activities help to improve muscle power, balance and coordination, generally enhancing the quality of life for the riders and their families.

“Mr Hughes connected us with Disability Services and relentlessly advocated our cause, taking it all the way to the Premier, who gave his support.”

Mr Hughes celebrated at the new property with HorsePower Hills volunteers and riders on July 11.

“Thanks to a $1.2 million grant from the Cook Government, HorsePower Hills has a secure and beautiful property that will bring pleasure and personal development to the riders and also to the volunteers,’’ he said.

“The new home has a wonderful feel to it.

“I consider this HorsePower achievement to be one of the community projects with which I am most proud to be associated.”

Disability Services Minister Don Punch said organisations like HorsePower played a tremendously important role in ensuring people with disability could participate and were included in the community.

Mr Punch also thanked the volunteers who helped deliver the essential service to support families and carers in WA.