North Yorks 'horse whisperers' help Japanese students

A mother and daughter team from North Yorkshire are building an international reputation for helping children with autism better their communication skills, by using horses.

Autism affects the way a person relates to, and communicates with others. By pairing the young people with a horse, the aim is to break down those barriers.

Thanks to the success of the programme, the centre is attracting families from as far away as Japan.

Claire Montgomery reports:

Sarah Shearman is a renowned horse whisperer who runs a residential centre specialising in using horses to help young people with autism.

The school in North Yorkshire is helping Japanese students to better their communication skills through working with animals.

The centre is run by mother and daughter, Sandra Kreutzer-Brett and Sarah Shearman, who are experts in reading the body language of horses and their riders.

Sarah says working with the animals can help build their confidence and self-esteem.

Students from Japan are among those travelling to a training centre in rural North Yorkshire to help better their communication skills.

The residential centre specialises in using horses as therapy to help young people with autism.

The visit a joint venture between a mother and daughter, who're experts in reading the body language of the animals and their riders to help students achieve their full potential.

During their visit, families will learn to work together to tack up a horse and use leadership skills to guide the animal.

Over the years, Sandra and Sarah have helped many families. They believe the animals can help break down barriers.