Miniature therapy ponies bring joy to nursing home residents

By Elizabeth Hunter

Miniature therapy ponies have been bringing joy to elderly patients at care homes and hospitals.

The ponies travel across Scotland with owners Elaine and John Sangster from West Lothian, both 60, and have proven to be a hit everywhere they go.

The couple have always loved horses - and for years, had a herd of 12 miniature Shetland ponies as pets.

In 2015, they were first contacted by a local center for people recovering from brain injuries, requesting the presence of some of their horses at a summer fair.

The response was incredible - and from there, care homes and hospitals began contacting the couple to arrange visits of their own.

Soon, Therapy Ponies Scotland was born - and in the years since, both John and Elaine left their day jobs behind to devote more time to the business.

"This was a total accidental job for us," said Elaine.

"We were asked to go to a center in Edinburgh for people recovering from brain injuries - they were having a summer fair and wanted a couple of ponies there.

"We did that, and we met a lady there who worked with Edinburgh Council - and she also worked with care homes.

"On the back of that, we ended up with three invitations to go around to care homes.

"We did a few visits, and then it just mushroomed from there."

The pair started out slowly, planning their visits carefully to ensure the safety of both the residents and the ponies - but they quickly became more and more in demand.

In 2016, John, who worked for their local council, was offered the opportunity to retire early, allowing them more time to devote to their passion.

Elaine continued as office manager for her brother's company until last year, when she too decided to make Therapy Ponies Scotland her full-time job.

"We were at a crossroads really," she said.

"We started doing it very slowly. John worked with the council at the time, so he would take a half-day.

"I would get the ponies ready, and then off we'd go in the afternoon.

"In 2016, he got the chance to retire early, so he grabbed the opportunity with both hands - and we were then able to do a bit more.

"I was an office manager at my brother's company, and continued until last year."

Elaine and John now travel around the country, with 10-year-old Flicker and 14-year-old Wilson, who are now professionals in their own right.

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The couple say it has been a learning curve to make sure the visits go smoothly, but the joy the ponies provide to residents and carers alike makes it all worth it.

"It's not always an easy thing to do, because you've got a lot of things to think about," said Elaine.

"We've got to make sure nobody's at risk of getting stood on - we make sure the ponies don't bite or don't kick.

"The ponies are absolutely immaculate - I have them bathed, and we have the "oopsy-daisy" bags on so there's no mess.

"They're beautiful to pet and cuddle. It's absolutely lovely.

"There's been a lot of training, and we've taken a few ponies in over the years.

"The two ponies that we take in now, Wilson and Flicker, are becoming more well-known now.

"They've had a lot of experience and they're absolutely incredible.

"They're very calm; they're accustomed to all the different noises that you'd associate with a care home - things that they wouldn't normally be used to.

"The care inspectorate once told us we're a great tool for people with dementia.

"People with dementia can be less communicative and not speak very much - but when we come in, they start chatting away.

"They just bring absolute joy. The people that the ponies go to see might be in situations where they never thought they'd see a pony ever again. It's so exciting for people.

"A lot of people in care homes at the moment have huge associations with ponies, from the times where there weren't as many vehicles and people had horses."

The couple received a Pride of Scotland Special Recognition award in 2024, after nearly ten years of hard work - but they say it's all been worth it for "the best job in the world."

"We've got so much experience now - we're like a well-oiled machine now," said Elaine.

"We go in and have great fun with everybody.

"The carers love seeing their residents happy, and they enjoy seeing the ponies as well.

"It's hard work and a big responsibility to make sure everybody's safe and happy, but we pride ourselves on doing that.

"I wouldn't change a thing.

"John and I are both 60, and we will keep going for as long as we physically can.

"We enjoy making people smile - that's the best part of the job for us

"It's the best job in the world."