Pony POWER

When one woman saw the incredible impact her Shetland had on her ailing father, she decided to help others

After rehoming two Shetland ponies, Lindsey Head's inspiration came when she took one of them, Pickles, to visit her poorly father, John, at his nursing home in 2020. He had longed to see Pickles again and was able to have one more visit with her there, the day before he died.

Lindsey was struck by the sheer joy that Pickles had brought him. How many others might benefit from meeting these charming, intelligent and cheeky little animals? And so, Pixie & Pickles Therapy Ponies was born and, last year, Lindsey took her ponies on special Christmas appearances for the first time, to care homes, hospitals and schools, to bring festive cheer to one and all.

'I had been around horses all my life and when one of my horses passed away, I was worried about the other being lonely,' says Lindsey, 54, from Hertfordshire. 'I knew of a lady who could no longer cope with her Shetland ponies, halfsisters Pixie and Pickles, so I gladly gave them a home. What people often don't realise is that Shetlands are very intelligent, stubborn and opinionated, get bored as grazing companions, and have no idea they're little they will pick a fight with a shire horse if they can!'

Understanding the breed, Lindsey knew that Pixie and Pickles needed a job to do to keep them happy and well-behaved. The vet told her to treat them like big horses, not letting them get away with barging, kicking or biting. Shetlands also need plenty of stimulation, and seeing how well Pickles did at her father's nursing home, Lindsey was spurred into action.