Dinky Ponies visiting care homes in Swindon, Marlborough, Devizes

‘Dinky Ponies’, which is based in Watchford, was set up back in May to brighten people’s days.

Sarah Woodland who runs the business takes the ponies around different care homes in Wiltshire as well as other areas.

She finds Marlborough a particularly good spot due to its rural nature, but also visits towns like Devizes, Pewsey and Swindon.

She said: “I decided to buy a trailer and got the idea to take it up a step from initially holding one-to-one sessions with children.

“I’ve had horses all my life and have been a freelance groom for different families.

“The idea came after I got two mini ponies, and then someone gave me another two ponies.

Sarah Woodland wit h her two ponies (Image: Sarah Woodland)

“It was a long winded process to get permission to visit care homes with ponies from the council but I got there in the end.”

And breaking the angry Shetland pony stereotype, Sarah’s ponies rarely put a hoof wrong- the horse lover added.

She said: “I’m so, so lucky as they’re such lovely natured ponies.

“One’s not great with children, while some are amazing with them and are great with loud noises so you it means you can gauge which one you should bring out.”

Older man gets a visit in care home from one of Sarah's 'Dinky Ponies.' (Image: Sarah Woodland)

Noting the reaction she gets when she walks in with the unusual four-legged friends, Sarah added: “It’s incredibly to see people’s faces light up when they see the ponies walk in.

“You do get rare cases of people asking us to take the ponies out but that doesn’t happen very often.

“I remember seeing one gentleman who was completely animated by them and he came out with all these memories of time he’d spent with horses in the military.

“You find it’s a conversation starter, as it brings people’s memories back of their life with horse when they were younger that even the care staff sometimes didn’t know before.”

Bringing pets into care homes has become more popular over recent years, with more health benefits being linked to older people spending time with animals.

Alzheimer’s UK reported: “While companionship is an obvious benefit, a well-timed pet visit may also help with anxiety and depression.

“It’s not uncommon to watch someone transition from emotionless to joyful when a pet enters the room, especially if it triggers pleasant memories.”