Socialising in a rest home lounge was a first for ponies Bella and Flair, but the duo seemed right at home, happily chomping on carrots as they greeted each resident.
It has been a few years since owner Eleena Kennedy took her equine family to rest homes in the region and Wakefield Homestead was the first stop for Bella, who stands a mere 87cm tall, and her buckskin pal, Flair.
In the past, it was her white Lusitano stallion, Zefiro, who visited rest homes until the Covid-19 pandemic brought those outings to a halt. Eleena says it was time to restart them with Bella and Flair, who are part of the equine and therapeutic riding centre she runs with childhood friend Veronica Marwitz.
This week, the ponies head to Jack Inglis Aged Care Home in Motueka for another round of socialising, with Woodlands Care Centre also on the diary. Plans are also afoot for rest homes to bring residents to the riding school on van excursions to interact with the ponies.
“I went through some stuff myself and so many people in the community helped me,” Eleena explains. “This is my thank you.”
“I thought I was going to lose everything and a lot of people helped. Now I’m living my dream, working with people and horses.”
The pony duo were in their element. Tiny Bella, about 18 years old, is the “naughty and cheeky one” Eleena purchased online after a few beers one night.
“It was one of those moments and the next morning I was thinking, ‘What have I done?’
“She’s our front of house at the riding school – the meet and greet. And she makes sure all the other feed bins are cleaned out!”
Both ponies were perfect angels during their first rest home visit and Eleena says she is “over the moon” with them and the joy they gave residents.
“They’re a generation that often grew up around horses. Many rode horses to school and were on a farm, so it’s cool to bring those memories to the forefront.”
Many residents shared those memories, though none remembered having horses or ponies inside their houses and didn’t expect Bella and Flair to be hanging out in the lounge. One recalled riding a pony to school, while another had been heavily involved with ponies through her children. A third said she would love to own her own horse – just a small one.
Watching residents respond to the ponies was reward enough for Eleena.
“They just bring so much joy.”
