The riding centre off Browning Street will be refurbished, while the yards will be made more accessible to people in a wheelchair.

Farm and general assistant at RDA and Carenne School, Darren Gavin, said the grant would mean more people could benefit from riding or pets as therapy sessions.

Carenne School principal Jane Crosland said the school’s twice-weekly visits to the RDA were a huge benefit for students.

She said some students, particularly those with autism, found it difficult to connect with people however they were able to connect with the range of animals at RDA.

Bathurst MP Paul Toole said the grant was from the Stronger Country Communities Fund for projects that made a difference to local communities.

“There’s something quite special as well about a student and their bond with an animal,” he said.

Mr Toole said he had seen how Bathurst RDA made a difference to the lives of many people across this area.

“It’s a big grant that’s going to make sure this facility is going to be utilised for many, many years to come,” he said.