Neigh-ce to meet you!

Miniature Shetland pony visits care home residents in Hunstanton

“So Winnie is going to be two in May.  For 6 months, she’s been going into care homes and she’s doing amazing," says Nicky Hill, who runs Miniature Dreams for Tiny Tots in King's Lynn.

Nicky takes Miniature Shetland ponies to visit care home residents, and into early learning settings too.

The beautiful Winnie

As Winnie shakes the flowers from her mane, Nicky laughs and adds, “She’s still at that playful stage, and she does love a good old rub and scratch.”

The pony's visiting residents at Norfolk Lodge Care Home in Hunstanton - many of whom have dementia.

And as we go inside, she's greeted with some looks of surprise but mainly lots of smiles.

As Winnie works the room Nicky introduces the pony, hands out a brush, and encourages residents to say hello.

I ask Geraldine Bird what she thinks of the visitor, "She's gorgeous," and laughs as she adds, "But I bet she's saying let me out on the grass!"

Geraldine with Winnie

Manager Leah Liboyi smiles as she watches the interactions, "Some of the residents had ponies or horses when they were younger so emotionally it’s very good for them, it sparks happy memories.

“When Nicky first came here, there was a resident who was on end of life who used to have horses.  The pony came into her bedroom and saw her on her last few days, which was beautiful.  

"You could see how grateful she was for that to happen.”

“The care home I’m visiting today, was the first I came to 4 years ago," Nicky adds.

“It's just lovely to see the interaction, to see the residents’ smiles, I get quite a lot of happy tears.  Some talk about their past when they were children, about their memories.

Nicky and Winnie

“The feedback I get from all staff from all care homes is just mind blowing," she continues, "And yeah, I just love doing what I do.”