Just over two years ago former mental health worker Henrietta Kook of Woodend, took on two Icelandic ponies that had been rescued.
‘‘One was 33 years old, and both had spent a large number of years alone in paddocks,’’ she says.
Henrietta says the Icelandic ponies are popular with parents because of their mild mannered nature around children.
‘‘They are so nice and gentle to teach someone to ride, but when the children get older the ponies are left on their own in paddocks.
‘‘This isn’t good for their wellbeing and we are happy to rescue them and reintegrate them into a group situation.
“No›one wants to be left alone, I used to work in mental health and I know what being alone can do to people, horses are no different.’’
A year ago Henrietta teamed up with Mahalia Eade and together they foundered Woodend Beach Horse Riding, based at the Birchbrook Equestrian Centre on Jelfs Road near Woodend Beach.
Mahalia, an admin worker in car sales, says WBHR was started so the joy of horse riding could be shared with others.
‘‘There is no better feeling of joy and freedom than riding a horse out in nature and that's what we want to share with children and adults in the area.’’
Henrietta says she has loved horses all her life and started riding when she was eight years old.
She later competed in showjumping and dressage, but as she got older her passion grew more into riding horses leisurely out in nature, enjoying ‘‘living the real life’’.
She believes in teaching children riding skills and showing them the “real life” experience while riding the five Icelandic and Haflingers horses they have.
‘‘There are enormous benefits, both mentally and physically, for both the horses and for children.’’
She says the horses have helped many with their healing process.
‘‘I have noticed how being around the horse is great for children with anxiety and other issues, and also great for the horses rescued after years of being left alone.
‘‘Riding a horse is low stress and helps children to feel good about themselves. It makes me feel so good watching the children and the horses develop and grow,’’ she says.
During the past couple of weekends the WBHR have been hosting ‘have a go days’ in the nearby Woodend forest.
Lucy Hewson 9, of Woodend was one of a number of children who came along to try their hand at riding in forests safely.
‘‘I liked it a lot and it taught me to look up and not down all the time as this was the first time I had ridden in a forest,’’ she said.
Her mother Erin, a former rider herself, says the ‘have a go days’ were a fun way to learn the correct way to ride in forests and around trees, and because there is no pressure it’s fun for the children.
