New arrival, Pingu, the Shetland pony likes a drop of tea…

March 21, 2012 - PRLog -- Although just five years of age, Pingu has an incredibly chilled outlook on life and has taken to his new role at Special Horses as though born to the job. Children of all ages, as well as dogs do not phase him in the slightest and in just a few weeks he has learnt all kinds of tricks from shaking hands to standing on pedestals and walking on a specially built seesaw.

Unusually for such a small pony, Pingu is very well schooled and will walk, trot and canter off the leading rein, which is a huge bonus to Special Horses and the specific type of therapy they carry out.

Special Horses founder, Lilias Ahmeira said: "Pingu has already proved himself to be a real asset to the centre. His diminutive stature means nervous children who have never met a horse or pony before are less likely to feel threatened and they quickly gain their confidence with him, whether it is doing sensory work or actually riding him.

"The girls on the yard all absolutely adore Pingu, especially when they discovered that he is partial to a cup of tea - with milk and two sugars, if you please. He will even stand on a pedestal by the table, so he can reach his mug."

Pingu will shortly have a starring role when he appears at this year's Royal Bath & West Show, near Shepton Mallet (30th May-2nd June 2012), where Special Horses for Special Children have been invited to demonstrate some of their therapy techniques in the Countryside Arena.

Children of all ages as well as young adults struggling with a range of neurological disorders, including Autism and Aspergers can all benefit enormously from the equine therapy being pioneered by Lilias Ahmeira. Treatment ranging from simple sensory work to circus tricks and double riding, where an experienced adult holds a child in front of them, both sitting on an extra large Western saddle, has been proving extremely successful and now more and more children are being referred to Special Horses by schools and colleges.