Cynthia Bartimote, Joyce McGrath, Joy Wilson, Edna Baker, Sue Stedman, Peg Hocking, Jackie Whiting, Diane Birch, Jan Spokes with Barney.
They say the outside of a horse can help the inside of a man and this is the same for the better half of the species aswell, women.
Courtney Jones and horses go hand in hand and rein in rein and she recognises the benefit of some equine therapy, having grown up in the saddle under her parents Terry and Janet Howe. Now a parent herself, her family continues the tradition.
A long-term member of the family is ‘Barney’. At 22 years of age and measuring just on 10 hands high, Barney could probably get around in a large family boot, but he isn’t a dog he is a miniature horse, and a very well behaved one at that.
Barney made a trip to Flexible Care last week where those attending immediately engaged with their 4 legged friend.
Courtney said, “Ang just asked me, because I do it a bit at the nursing home and the Grange, so I said, oh, yes, for sure. I’ll bring him in.”
“Barney is probably about 10 hands high. He’s 22 years old and we originally got him for Georgia, our first born, when she was two and she’s now 14 and he’s been through all our kids. He’s just worth his weight in gold. He’s got a great nature.”
“He brings a lot of joy to young people and older people. It’s amazing what a horse can do for people.”
“It was going to be a bit tricky because they only do the hub on a Tuesday and I’m at work on a Tuesday. So I just ducked out during my 1st break at school, like sort of during recess.
“She just asked and I said yes, no worries, I’ll make the effort.”
“I think, well, if you don’t do these little things for the older and the younger community groups. It just puts smiles on their faces, they just love it.
“When I take him to the nursing home, you’ll get people that haven’t moved out of the bed all day and they’ll sit up and look, it is really amazing what joy Barney brings to people.”
Although in years Barney is quite aged himself, he thrives on a pat and the attention and is a perfect gentlemen.
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