Sponsor a Pony - Platinum Sponsor

• Two handlers and two ponies will visit with the residents in the lounge or designated area

• We spend several minutes with each resident individually so they can stroke, pat and chat with the pony

• We can also visit less mobile residents in their rooms as our ponies don’t take up much room!

• Transport and insurance costs included

• Pony preparation and cleaning and ongoing pony costs

Our ponies are washed and groomed prior to each visit.   Depending on the time of year, their coats have been trimmed to avoid any hair shedding.

We have a equine therapy pad which goes on their back and a bathroom bag attached, in case of any toilet accidents.  

The pony wears shoes.  These are designed to minimalise any slipping on the various floor services and are also santised so that any paddock grime is not transferred inside to the care facility.

Our ponies are up to date with all vaccinations, including the important Hendra vaccine.   Not all equine owners vaccinate for Hendra, but it is a zoological disease that can be transferred from animal to human, so we make sure our ponies are vaccinated for it.

Our handlers carry a small towel to place on the knees of residents to assist with keeping everyone clean. 

Our ponies are transported to each Aged Care Facility in a custom fitted van.  This allows us to visit more places, which would have otherwise been difficult with a horse float.     Having a van means that we can transport the ponies safely and in temperature controlled comfort.

There is risk involved with this activity.  

Ponies and horses are prey animals, so they have the ability to panic if in a situation where they feel unsafe and they may bite or kick if they feel threatened.  This means that residents and patients can be injured.

These are innate behaviours, but we mitigate the risk by:

• choosing ponies based on excellent temperaments

• we build trust with them before going anywhere

• they go through training to ensure that they are not easily spooked/frightened

• we advise staff at each facility via email in advance on how to approach the pony during our visit

• we continually watch for any change in behaviour while we are on a visit and will finish early if we feel we need to, for the benefit of the pony and everyone else.