In 2016 a program was introduced at Jemalong Residential Village in Forbes with adorable miniature horses paying monthly visits. When Covid restrictions were in place the program was paused, but has now been re-ignited much to the delight of residents and staff!
Blondy and Jazzy (the horses names) are visiting residents in their rooms or the group activities room. The residents happily pat, smile and hug the adorable miniature horses. They evoke powerful memories with many residents recalling riding horses to school, or ploughing paddocks with horse teams on family farms in their former years. Visiting grandchildren also love patting the horses.
The miniature horses are owned and trained by local Forbes high school student, Kelsey Muller.
“I became interested in the initiative after seeing a news story about someone else taking a horse into a residential aged care home. They spoke of the benefits for residents interacting with animals and I thought, why not?,” says Kelsey.
“For many months I would walk Blondy and Jazzy along the streets over different surfaces and obstacles and into enclosed spaces. When they got to the point where they were not reacting to their environment I knew they were ready for this.”
Kelsey has trained the naturally quiet and well-mannered breed to walk in reverse in the confines of the smaller resident rooms. When visiting, she leads one horse into the room, while the other patiently waits its turn to come in and visit.
“My miniatures are quiet enough to do something like this,” remarks Kelsey.
Jemalong Residential Village is a much loved and well-respected Home situated in a peaceful rural landscape in Forbes. There are a wide range of outings and activities to choose from, and the Village (which includes the Residential Aged Care Home and Retirement Living Village) is located in close proximity to shops. Qualified and friendly staff are always there to assist and care for those who call Jemalong their home.