By ANEEKA SIMONIS
LIFE without Sarah the pony would be “boring” according to her loving Dewhurst owner who first taught her grandchildren how to ride a horse.
Helen Mansfield said the 25-year-old pony was incredibly tolerant with children, including her grandchildren Lachlan and Jake, who can’t help but love her and her gentle nature.
“Sarah is a pony to die for when around children: she tolerates them climbing under, over and around her and in her own way looks after them,” Helen said.
“Sarah has taught many children to ride.”
Sarah has lived in Dewhurst for the past two years after a long stint as a companion to competing thoroughbreds.
Helen said one of her favourite memories was watching Sarah coax a shy horse onto its float during her years of service.
“The thoroughbred had always refused to walk onto a float, but did so because Sarah walked on first,” she said.
But Sarah definitely loves her new life of leisure, according to Helen.
“Now, after two years she is deciding that it is quite a good life here with not having to ‘escort’ thoroughbreds to the races or mind the brood mares – two of her many past jobs.”
Sarah is a big fruit lover.
“She loves peaches and nectarines followed in order by apples, grapes and carrots. She doesn’t really like plums,” Helen said.
“Rolling straight after a bath is another favourite thing (of Sarah’s).”
