BY ALLISON LEE
Sarah Woodland has harboured a lifelong love of horses. Having grown up around them, she has always had equine company in her life. Her parents both rode, and she cannot remember a time in her childhood without horses. It was therefore almost certain that her adult life would involve these beautiful animals.
Sarah lives in Oxfordshire. She is the wife of a military veteran and the mother of two boys who share her love of animals. A firm believer that children should learn from a young age the importance of caring for animals correctly and with empathy, Sarah has always encouraged her children to enjoy being around them.
Sarah had always wanted to set up her own business, but it wasn’t until she was given her first two miniature Shetland ponies six years ago that she knew what form it would take.
Despite never having worked in the care sector, Sarah wanted to make a real difference to people’s lives. Her experience with horses told her immediately that these mini Shetland ponies could have the same calming and joyful effect on others as they had on her and her boys. Sarah told me that the “idea of combining animal companionship with emotional support just felt right,” and this is how Dinky Ponies was born.
Dinky Ponies specialises in equine-assisted therapy visits, where healing is empowered through the bond between horses and humans. Put simply, Sarah has combined her love and knowledge of horses with her desire to make a difference to people in need.
Sarah started with just two ponies, then four, and now she has a team of seven. Although she admits the care sector was initially new to her, she has carried out research, used her equine experience, and sought knowledge from others in the equine and therapy worlds to create a unique business that truly helps others.
I asked Sarah what she enjoys most about her job, and she said, quite simply, “Watching the magic that happens when someone connects with a pony – especially in care homes or with children who might be facing particularly difficult challenges.” From following Sarah’s social media posts and listening to her answers, it is plain to see how committed she is to her team of mini Shetland ponies and the work she carries out in schools, hospices, and support groups.
As the owner of a couple of mini Shetland ponies myself, I know how challenging these little equines can be. I asked Sarah how she has trained them to be therapy ponies. “Being calm, kind and consistent” was her response, together with “giving lots of love and being patient.” She also admitted that it is an ongoing journey and that the ponies are always teaching her something new – something I can definitely relate to!
There isn’t much that Sarah doesn’t enjoy about her job, although she admits the British weather can be challenging, and dark, early mornings on muddy winter days can be tough. Sarah says the emotional side of working with therapy ponies can also be challenging, especially when working with vulnerable individuals or facing the inevitable losses that come with working with the elderly. However, on a brighter note, she told me that the positives always outweigh the difficult days.
Alongside the serious side of providing emotional support, Sarah says there are always inevitable mishaps to keep things light-hearted. These include the odd cheeky escape, an unexpected toilet accident, or a well-timed pony sneeze on someone’s lap. But to date, Sarah says she hasn’t experienced any major setbacks, and I, for one, hope it stays this way, as I know first-hand how miniature Shetland ponies can keep you on your toes!
Sarah’s dream for the future is to create a small, purpose-built centre where visitors can meet the ponies in a calm, natural setting, allowing her to offer more structured therapy sessions and pony-led experiences. She also told me she would like to expand her outreach work to visit more schools and care facilities across the region.
Sarah is quick to point out that she has a small army of amazing volunteers, friends, and family who all help ensure that Dinky Ponies runs smoothly. She is especially grateful to her sponsors and supporters who cheer on the incredible work that she and her ponies do.
Donations are gratefully accepted, and Sarah is appreciative of those who help to spread the word, such as her many followers on social media.
Learning about Sarah and Dinky Ponies has been amazing. As an animal lover myself, I completely understand how Dinky Ponies makes all the difference to some people’s lives. I was particularly touched when Sarah told me about one of her job’s highlights. She was visiting a non-verbal, elderly gentleman who had been a rider in his younger days but had suffered a stroke. Sarah remembers a peaceful and beautiful exchange, but it was as she was leaving and thanking him for his time that he turned around and whispered ever so quietly, “thank you.” This simple exchange brought tears to my eyes, and Sarah herself said she struggled to hold back her emotions. Moments like these surely stay with you forever, and Sarah knows from first-hand experience that magic can happen in the smallest moments and when it is least expected.
Dinky Ponies exists because of this magic.
If you would like to support Dinky Ponies, you can do so by visiting: https://gofund.me/16a6c9e1
Allison Lee is a smallholder from North Yorkshire who has written for the Yorkshire Times and other publications. Her website can be accessed here.