Joey – The Herd Leader
Curious, confident and likes to be in charge.
Joey is a retired racehorse, once known as Surfer Joe. Following a racing injury, he began a new chapter of life away from the racetrack.
Joey is naturally curious and has taken on the role of herd leader. He likes to keep an eye on the others and make sure everyone is looked after.
Due to his previous injury, Joey sometimes experiences stiffness and soreness. Even our confident herd leader has days when he needs a little extra care.
Joey also has a funny habit of using people as scratching posts! If you stand close enough, you might find him gently pushing his head against you and rubbing it on your shirt.
A little something about Joey: He reminds us that being a leader doesn't mean we always have to be strong or have everything figured out.
Things we might explore: Leadership, responsibility, personal boundaries, relationships and recognising our own needs.
🐴 Nick – The Gentle Soul
Laid-back, sensitive and learning to relax.
Nick is a Thoroughbred with a unique story. Following an accident when he was young, Nick lost the sight in one eye.
When Nick first joined us, he was highly anxious and found it difficult to relax. Although his anxiety still shows itself at times, he has come a long way.
Over the past year, Nick has become more settled and has gradually allowed Joey to take over the responsibility of leading the herd.
These days, Nick is generally laid-back and enjoys a quieter approach to life.
A little something about Nick: Having one eye hasn't stopped him from enjoying life, although he occasionally has to keep an extra watch on cheeky Charlie, who has worked out how to sneak up on his blind side to steal food!
Things we might explore: Trust, anxiety, resilience, adapting to change, feeling safe and learning to accept support.
🐴 Polly – The Independent Lady
Small in size, big in personality!
Polly is our older Shetland Pony who knows exactly what she likes and dislikes.
Over the past year, Polly has had to adjust to a strict diet. Unfortunately, she doesn't always agree with this arrangement and can occasionally become a little 'hangry'!
Polly appreciates a gentle approach and likes to be caught in her own time. She reminds us that building relationships takes patience and that everyone deserves to have their personal space respected.
Although she's small, Polly certainly knows how to communicate what she wants.
A little something about Polly: She might be the smallest of the older herd members, but she certainly isn't afraid to express her opinion!
Things we might explore: Patience, boundaries, communication, choice, consent and recognising how our feelings can influence our behaviour.
🐴 Charlie – The Cheeky Youngster
Playful, curious and still finding his way.
Charlie is our young miniature horse who is still discovering the world and figuring out where he fits within the herd.
He is playful, curious and just a little bit cheeky!
Charlie has worked out that Nick only has sight in one eye and will sometimes sneak around to his blind side to steal his food. Clever? Absolutely. Good manners? Still a work in progress!
Charlie is continuing to learn about boundaries, relationships and interacting with people and other horses. He's also gradually developing the skills needed to become part of our equine-assisted therapy team.
A little something about Charlie: He's a great reminder that learning takes time, mistakes happen, and growing up is a journey.
Things we might explore: Play, curiosity, confidence, boundaries, relationships and learning through experience.
🐾 Toby - Our Friendly Welcoming Committee
Playful, curious and always keeping an eye on everything!
