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Meet the Mini Horse Heroes
Mini Horse Heroes is a small herd of four miniature horses, each with their own personality, character and strengths, making them suited to different roles within the work we do.
They are well known in their local community and can often be spotted enjoying a walk around the country park or through Barming Woods. These walks are an important part of their lives. They provide exercise, enrichment and opportunities to experience different sights, sounds, people and situations, helping them to feel confident and comfortable in the varied environments they may encounter during visits to schools, care homes and community events.
Just as importantly, we simply enjoy spending time with them. They are very much part of our family, rather than horses that only come out when they are working.
Their welfare is at the heart of everything I do. I have completed the ABRS Five Domains of Animal Welfare course, which has deepened my understanding of how horses experience their world. It looks beyond physical health alone to consider nutrition, environment, behaviour, interactions and, importantly, their mental wellbeing.
The course has challenged some of my own assumptions, prompted plenty of reflection and reinforced the importance of making evidence-based decisions that give each pony choice, positive experiences and the opportunity to enjoy a good quality of life.
Now, meet the Mini Horse Heroes…
Meet Dude
Dude is the head of the herd. Don’t be deceived by his little stature, he calmly keeps all the ponies in check. He started visiting residents in care homes in 2021 and he can often be found with his head resting in their hands or laps having a little doze. We are never sure whether he does this to rummage down the sides of a chair or a bed to find a biscuit though.
When Dude goes to a care home, has been trained to navigate small spaces so he can get into a lift to visit bed-ridden residents and he can reverse his body around furniture within a room so he can get close to a resident. Read more about Dude in the children's picture book based on events that he has inspired in his visits to care homes (Dudie Wudie and the Itchy Scratchy Tree).
Meet Nosey Nero
Nero is our curious, fun-loving pony who always likes to know what is going on! He loves learning tricks, making people laugh and heading out for walks – especially if there are a few logs to jump in the woods.
He also loves dressing up and showing off. At the Kent Show in 2022, he even “married” Lulu in the fancy dress – top hat and tails and all!
Nero is also learning liberty work, which encourages communication, trust and choice between horse and human. He loves learning new things and our aim is to put some of his favourite moves together into a fun routine to music.
Meet Lovely Lulu
Lulu is our gentle and kind pony who loves people and enjoys plenty of fuss and attention.
She has been visiting school holiday clubs for several years and has become a familiar face in schools, sometimes joined by Dude for our wellbeing sessions. During 2026, Lulu will also be a regular visitor to Five Acre Wood School during term time providing wellbeing to the children there.
Her calm, friendly nature makes her a lovely companion for children, and she is equally happy meeting people at care homes and community events.
Meet Gorgeous Gertie
Gertie is our gorgeous rescue pony who arrived shy and distrustful of people. With time, patience and gentle handling, she has blossomed into the sweetest, most affectionate little pony.
She has a special bond with Dude and initially joined him on visits to build her confidence. She now enjoys visiting care homes in her own right, where her gentle and quiet nature makes her a lovely companion for residents.
Gertie is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when a pony is given time, choice and the opportunity to build trust.
