Our Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Our Allied Health and Equine Professionals are here to help!
Honey
We came across Honey having her mid-morning snack...
Hi Honey, would you like to tell us a bit about yourself?
"Oh, hello, I didn't notice you there! I might have been busy eating." [smiles]
Well, I like spending time with kids, as long as they're nice and gentle with me. I love that as the smallest member of the herd, I get called "cute" a lot. Lots of people think I look like a "Barbie" pony, and I'm inclined to agree! [tosses mane].
What do you like best about being part of Heard in the Herd?
“I love being the special Herd member who gets to do Pony Pals and Ponywise with kids. I mean, it's great work - all I have to do is stand quietly and eat hay while I'm being groomed and pampered. Who wouldn't love that? Sometimes I enjoy giving a little ride to the smaller children. I love that they trust me to take care of them."
What would you say to anyone thinking about coming to Heard in the Herd?
"I'd say, 'Yay! Make sure you come and see me first!' The other horses are OK, but I'm the cutest,
you know what I mean?"
Joyce
We recently had a chance to chat with Joyce - HitH's newest recruit.
Hi, Joyce, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Well, hello there! Hmmm. What can I tell you? I'm a Shetland pony, I'm 10 years old, and I'm a lot smaller than the other horses here. - but don't let that fool you! I've been described as a "pocket rocket". I kinda like that! [grins]
Nothing much bothers me, I enjoy good food, and I LOVE being brushed and fussed over!
I'm looking forward to making some new human friends soon.
Quell
We recently caught up with Quell for this exclusive interview!
"I’m the mare of the herd. It’s very much my responsibility to make sure all the other horses are safe – and I take that responsibility very seriously. In a former life, I was a police horse where I did all kinds of duties, like take part in the Christmas Pageant, and go on patrol to keep people on the streets of Adelaide safe.
I retired here when I was 21 and I can tell you, the local wildlife took a bit of getting used to. I mean, what ARE those things with the enormous back legs that bounce out of nowhere? Frightened me senseless the first time I saw one! And I don’t scare easily!
[Looks off into the distance.] I guess we are all scared of something, right?"
What do you like best about being part of Heard in the Herd?
"Well, the surroundings. Obviously. I mean, take a look around you! And the peace. It’s soooo quiet here. No sirens, no crowds. Just the breeze moving through the pine trees. Ooh, that’s very poetic of me, isn’t it?
And I like the people who come and spend time with us. They’re really nice – and sometimes they even bring carrots [winks]. I like that I get to choose whether or not I want to hang out with people – we don’t have to do anything if we don’t want to, and it’s nice to have that choice. We all like a choice, don’t we?"
What would you say to anyone thinking about coming to Heard in the Herd?
"I’d say… 'bring carrots!' [snorts with laughter]. But seriously, I’d say, 'Come and enjoy the peace and quiet with us.
The views up here are so beautiful. You can see right down to the sea. [Looks directly at me]. And wear enclosed shoes, and bring a jumper. And sunscreen.' [Looks concerned.] Am I being too bossy? Well, anyway, it’s my job to keep you safe, so come on up,
and don’t worry about a thing. Because this place is for breathing, and enjoying, and… just being you."
Ravel
We had a chat with Ravel whilst he was enjoying a mid-morning snack.
So, Ravel, tell us a bit about yourself.
“Hello, hello, hello! It’s lovely to see you! OK, well, my name is Ravel (as in Ra-VEL, not RA-vel. You know, as in the composer, not the opposite of unravel). I’m a Friesian (not as in cow), and I’m [counts in head] ten years old, and I like spending time with people. That’s my favourite thing to do in the whole wide world! [nods emphatically]
What do you like best about being part of Heard in the Herd?
“I love it the most when there’s stuff going on, and things to watch, and lots of people to meet. I like the kangaroos here, and the big, shady trees. Did I mention I like being with people?”
What would you say to anyone thinking about coming to Heard in the Herd?
“I’d say, ‘I can’t wait to meet you! And when you get here, I’d say, ‘HELLO! Wanna hang out together?’
[Looks hopefully towards the driveway] “Yep. That’s what I’d say.”
Theo
Theo ambled over to us for a friendly chat.
So, Theo, tell us a bit about yourself.
“I had a short career in racing, but it just wasn’t for me. I’d rather hang out with my friends, have a bit of a run around the paddock, and eat. I could run pretty fast if I wanted to; I just didn’t want to very often. I think I was misunderstood in the industry, you know? I just had to find people who ‘get’ me. And at last, I've found where I belong. I’m very happy here in my herd.”
What do you like best about being part of Heard in the Herd?
“Definitely the companionship – I love hanging out with the horses and the humans here. The humans in particular are very nice to me; they fuss over me, give me plenty to eat, and I even have a nice, cosy rug to wear when it’s cold. I really love being able to share the paddock with Quell. She's my favourite.”
What would you say to anyone thinking about coming to Heard in the Herd?
“Oh, that’s easy. I’d say, ‘Come and see me! I reckon you’ll love it here as much as I do!’”
Bodie
G'day, I'm Bodie - the newest member of the herd. I'm a 20 year old Standardbred - my racing name was "Four Winds", but I prefer "Bodie".
I'm slowly making friends with my new paddock buddy, Ravel - he seems like a pretty good bloke so far. He sure is the friendliest horse I ever met!
I love meeting the humans who come to HitH - they are all so nice and give me lots of pats, cuddles, apples and carrots!
I'm looking forward to spending some time with you, too! (Don't forget the apples!)
Love,
Bodie xx
