The Team

Aura

Age: 15 (DOB 2011)

Breed: Timor

Height: Approx 12hh

Her Story: I got her from a family in Marton, but was bred by Claire of West Wind Equestrian! She is very quiet and children can ride her by themselves if they know how to ride. She always looks a bit grumpy, even though she enjoys the attention. She had quite a few homes in her life before us, so I think now she knows this is her forever how she has lightened up! She is on of our main lead rein ponies at the moment! She has been with us for around 9 years now and she is the perfect pony for kids!

Worf (said wharf)

Age: 9 years old

Breed: Kunukune pig

Worf's Story: Asked around the local FB pages looking for a pig to rejoin our petting zoo (had Whiskey a few years back) and Fiona offered Worf. Unfortunately he had needed to be paddocked with his father and they could not sort out the pecking order and kept fighting. He knows how to sit and loves a good belly scratch, will lay down and roll over more more scratches!! He looks a big fearsome, but he is the sweetest guy!

Molly

Age: 7 years old

Breed: Kaimanawa

Height: 13.2hh

Molly's Story: Her name while she was wild in the Kaimanawa Ranges was Matau, we renamed her Molly. She came in from the muster in 2021 and went straight to Kaimanawa Krazy for initial handling. She was in foal when she came in, but unfortunately slipped. I purchased Molly with the intention of training her up and selling her, but she is far too good for that and is now an essential part of the team!! She is not only one of the most popular members of the pony team, but she is now teaching my kids the next step up in their riding!

Chickens

Age: A mixture of different ages

Breed: Mixture of different ones

Chicken's Story: Chickens do not have a long life span, so our chicken team is changinga ll the time. Chooks are my 2nd favourite animal, so rest assured we will always have chooks.

Bev + another like this called Chicken Nugget

Puff

Cloud, Lightning and Thunder

Spot

Age: Born in 2021

Breed: Unsure

Spot's Story: Pet lamb from the children's Dad's farm due to being mis-mothered. Quirky lil thing, likes to tease the dog and tries to initiate play with the other sheep (they are not interested!). When she was a baby lamb she was always quite sickly looking, but now she is nearly fully grown she is happy and thriving! She loves eating pellets and leaves fed by our visitors.

Sprite

Age: was born end of 2023

Breed: house cat

Sprite's Story: We had Sprite's uncle (who was called Coca-Cola), but unfortunately he was hit by a car, so we were very pleased when we saw Coca-Cola's sister had had kittens!! Sprite is very confident and friendly and loves hopping in other people's cars!!

Goatie

Age: born Sept 2023

Breed: saanen x

Goatie's Story: We got 2 goats, but quickly realised 2 goats was like having 5 children, so at the time we rehomed his friend Cherry Apple (kids naming animals....)! Goatie is sooo friendly and has come on a couple of road trips with us to Taranaki and even camping a few times. If given the chance he destroys the garden, sleeps in the lounge, hops on our outdoor lazy boys and poohs everywhere! Thankfully his jumping out of his paddock days are behind him and so is far more low maintenance. He loves grapevine leaves and whitey wood leaves too.

Hunter

Age: born May 2023

Breed: Mini Foxy x Jack Russel

Hunter's Story: We got Hunter from a friend, she had a litter and was struggling to rehome the pups, so the plan was to bring one here and advertise in this area. What a joke that was lol, she came here and we all fell in love with her! You will notice when you meet her that she is no tail, do not fear, she was born that way. Half of her litter mates were also born without tails. Hunter is safe and friendly for children, and is very gentle.

Batman

Age: born approx Dec 2023

Breed: feral cat

Batman's Story: We got Batman off a friend who had rescued a litter of dumped kittens. He was so tiny and skinny when we got him, I was worried he may not make it - but he is a survivor and has found a forever home here. He is such a special cat, loves people and when we have bookings here, he spends the whole time being snuggled by people. Even though small, he has presence and is very handsome. He is great friends with Hunter, thet are often found curled up together.

Charlie

Age: 4

Breed: feral cat

Charlie's Story: We got Charlie as a kitten when we had Coca-Cola (those kids naming aniamls again!). We got him as a present for Mum who was looking to replace her old deceased cat. Fortunately for us, Mum was no longer able to have Charlie, so he has come back to us. He is such a friendly boy and loves meetingt people. He is great with kids, but does not really like to be picked up by them.

Hope

Age: Found as a baby in 2025

Breed: wild rabbit

Hope's Story: Hope was found at my children's school Pet day. The presence of all teh dogs, must have flushed out all of the babies as they were everywhere, over 20! A child caught this one and asked if anyone wanted it. Previously being a city boy from Belgium, Jack jumped at the chance. They are such an amazing bunny, often it will have all 3 cats and Hunter surrounding thee cage and they are now aware they are safe and keep living their happy life!

Chocolate Bar

Age: 6 (DOB 2019)

Breed: miniature pony

Chocolate Bar's Story: We got Chocolate Bar in the hopes of training him up as a future riding pony for our animal team. This is still the plan, but a year on, he is still 'in training'. He came to us as a wild stallion and had a bit of a rough start to domestic life after being castrated (man bits removed to prevent babies being made! He is at heart a real sweetie, he loves people and is very curious. In time we know he will become a valuable member of the team.

Cole

Age: 14ish (2012)

Breed: Welsh Pony

Cole's Story: We purchased Cole after having him here for training. The plan was to sell him on after the training. We soon saw he was too special to let go and he has become an important part of our pony team. He has a few quirks, but means well and is a safe, reliable boy for our lead rein pony sessions. He gets a bit 'grass-affected', which means when the sugar content is high, he is a bit heightened, good grass management and regular magnesuim supplementation though keeps his head clear. He is such a pretty boy too!

Elliot

Age: 1 (DOB: 2024)

Breed: Sheep

Elliot's Story: Elliot is one of the friendliest sheep I have ever known! She LOVESS a scratch under the neck and behind the ears. She was the lamb my daughter Paisley took to our local school Pet Day and she named her Elliot, after her brother, who is also named Elliot! Elliot loves to stand up with her front feet on the gate and ask to be fed.

Muffin

Age: 2 (DOB: 2023)

Breed: Saanen Goat

Muffin's Story: We got Muffin from a friend in Taranaki, she was the goat of her children and had been a ribbon winner at the local school pet day. She is such an aloof character, can go from relaxed and half-asleep seeming, to active and playful with a click of the fingers. She seems to have a love/hat relationship with Goatie. She is a master at escaping the paddock! She really hates the rain and loves her goat shelter.

Jack, the kids and I

I, Cheryl, am blessed to be a mum to 3 amazing kids! Elliot is 9, Paisley is 7 and Willow is 5. Jack is from Belgium and we are so lucky to have him as part of our lives.

We are all social butterflies and love having people come to stay at our house. We are very proud of our lifestyle and the animals, and we are super blessed to be in a position to share this with others!

This is us in December of 2025.

We hope you enjoy your visit with us!

Past Members of the Team

Stella Mango

Age: 4

Breed: Chocolate lab

Stella's Story: Her name is a mixture of what I wanted and what the kids wanted! Got her from a local in Taranaki where I grew up. Unfortunately our dog Bree died, we got a pound dog named Riley after that, but he wasn't suitable for us, so Stella is our new forever doggy. We hope to breed her to have puppies in the future, but for now we are just making the most of having her and enjoying her. Stella is still kind of in our family, she lives with my children's father on a farm in Taihape.

Slippers

Age: no idea... around 3

Breed: also no idea....

Slipper's Story: We were gifted Slippers from a friend in my son's class. She is a lovely bunny, but not so friendly when animal days are on (she gets overwhelmed). The plan is to find out her gender and then get the opposite gender and make rabbit babies!!! Unfortunately Slippers had to be put to sleep in 2024 due to some issues with her teeth :(

Rambo

Age: 9 (will be 10 on Aug 2024)

Breed: Thoroughbred

Rambo's Story: I was gifted Rambo mid-2023. He is an ex racehorse, but never really did any good, so he sat in a paddock for a while until I got him. He is a great jumper and the plan is to train him up and hunt him this season. He has gotten mcuh more quiet now I have had him awhile and the plan is that he will also be a part of the animal days, he has done some days leading beginners and was so good! In 2024 I broke my leg and with my riding future uncertain, Rambo found a home with a girl I knew from Hunting and is a jumping machine on the field!

Bonnie

Age: born in 2016

Breed: Poll Dorset x Romney

Bonnie's Story: Bonnie was an orphan lamb, who was pretty much friendly from the day she came home! Early on I discovered that she loved sheep pellets and this certainly helped to keep her tame. She is a VERY big sheep and looks even bigger when she has her full fleece of wool on. She is a confident sheep, who likes scratches!! Very sadly Bonnie passed away in December 2025, at an amazing age for a sheep of her breed at 9 years old!

Jemima

Age: 13

Breed: Mini

Height: Approx 30 inches

Her Story: We have Jemima on loan from a local acquaintance who had Jemima for her children, who have long out grown her. She may be the smallest pony on the property, but do not be fooled, she has the biggest attitude, 2nd from the top in the pecking order of the ponies most days! She is a real sweetie to handle on the ground though and loves to be brushed and pampered. Jemima has now gone back to her original owner.

Jewel

Age: 15 years

Breed: Warmblood Pinto X Thoroughbred

Height: 15.2hh

Jewel's Story: I got Jewel from a friend when she was a wild 18 month old filly. She has taught me more than any other horse. We did so much together, but unfortunately was PTS in September of 2022.

Piper

Age: 12

Breed: Pinto Miniature Pony

Height: 36 inches

Piper's Story: Piper is the perfect pony for little kids to ride and even for older children to do the obstacle course with. She is a very clever girl, can pull a cart and learns new tricks very quickly. She is very gentle and sweet natured. Piper has been returned to her owner because we stopped the biz.

Girlfriend

Age: unknown

Breed: unknown

Girlfriend's Story: When I purchased this property, Girlfriend came with the deal. She is a bit of a stand offish girl, but does like to interact with humans. Before moving here she had no other animal company, so loves Bonnie the sheep. Girlfriend sadly passed of old age at the end of the 2019 summer. She is buried on our old property, in a place where she spent much of her time in her last few days.

Bree

Age: 4 (born in 2015)

Breed: Huntaway

Bree's Story: I got Bree from some good friends and mostly trained her up myself. Elliot's dad is a Shepherd, so he finished the training and used to use her as his mainstay huntaway working dog. Unfortunately she shattered her front leg and had to have surgery, so cannot work full time. A local man comes and uses her every now and then though and she is still sharp as ever. She is very friendly and the most amazing dog you have ever seen with kids. Unfortunately Bree passed away in 2021 after being hit by a truck :(

Woolly

Age: less than 1

Breed: composite

Woolly's Story: Woolly was a mis-mothered lamb from 2018's lambing. He grew up in the chicken paddock so still kind of thinks he is a chicken. When he was smaller he slept in their nesting boxes! Woolly went to a new home to be boyfriend to all the ewes.

Harry

Age: 20

Breed: Crossbred riding pony

Height: 12.1hh (approx)

Harry's Story: Harry is actually owned by my friend Andrea and we are allowed to use him when ever we wish. Out of all the horses and ponies he has the sweetest nature and is very trustworthy. He is honest and loves kids and is perfect for doing pony rides on at events/fairs/galas etc. Harry now live with another local family.

Elle

Age: 7

Breed: Thoroughbred

Height: 15.2hh

Elle's Story: I rescued Elle last year. She is a very sweet horse who is perfect for leading kids around on and teaching them the basics of riding on their own. She used to be a race horse, but was way too slow! Elle is now being used as a riding horse at a riding school in Whanganui, her name now is her race one - Chilli Milli.

Spirit

Age: 10 years old

Breed: Kaimanawa (came in from the 2010 muster)

Height: 14.1hh

Spirit's Story: I bought Spirit off a local girl Daisy when I realised the business was getting busy. He has done quite a bit of showing and jumping in his past. He is a lovely quiet, gentle boy who has fitted in instantly with our family. He was purchased by a friend and still lives close by.

Oscar

Age: 8 years old

Breed: Kaimanawa (came in from the 2012 muster as a bubba)

Height: 13.3hh

Oscar's Story: Oscar is such a lovely, gentle and kind pony. He is so quiet that anyone can ride him and handle him. He is VERY confident and is a champ at going around our obstacle course. He likes the obstacles because he knows when he stands on one or plays with it, he gets to have a rest, which he loves! He was on loan to us from a very generous friend! He has now been sold to a horse mad girl down Otaki way.

Chickens

Age: 2 - 4

Breed: Red Shaver and who knows what!

Their Story: I got the shavers from Kairanga Poultry Farm. Like the rest of the animals, they are very quiet! We have just got 2 new baby chickens, not sure if they are male or female yet. They came from a person I know in Mangaweka! They make the cutest chirping noises. All of these chickens were rehomed, they kept getting on the road!

Gordie

Age: 12

Height: 13hh

Breed: Welsh, riding pony cross bred

His Story: Gordie is an absolute honey and great for people to learn to ride on. He actually belongs to a young friend of mine, she had a scare riding so is still getting her confidence back. When she does he will return to her, he will be very much missed! Gordie was sold to a new family.

Goats - Freddie and Romeo

Age: 2 years (DOB 2017)

Breed: Saneen

Their Story: I got the boys through a friend. They are neutered males. If they were females they would have remained in their herd as milking nannies. The boys though are the PERFECT pets, so sweet and friendly, love to nibble peoples' ears :P They look almost alike, except Romeo has a beard. We rehomed the goats due to stopping the petting zoo biz.

Whisky

Age: Less than a year (Born 17 November 2018)

Breed: Kune Kune Pig

Whisky's Story: I saw 2 kune pigs for rehoming online, sadly we missed out on them, but really wanted a kune. I looked on trademe and saw a whole lot for sale! We got Whisky from a road called Whisky Way out the back of Palmerston North. She was just 9 weeks old when we got her and the runt of the litter. At the moment we are taming her, she loves her tummy being scratched. We have a harness which we want to train her to go in! Whiskey wasn't quite fitting in with our lives and was rehomed.

Avan

Age: 4

Breed: Kaimanawa

Height: 15.1hh

Avan's Story: He was a wild horse on the Kaimanawa Ranges, but was mustered as a 2 year old. I bought him off a lady who had done some initial handling. I have since started him under saddle, but he is not yet quiet enough for others to ride. He LOVES people though and is a real gentleman on the ground. He has now been sold to an old school friend of mine and is a top station hack!

Nicky

Age: 24

Breed: Miniature Pony

Height: 36 inches

Nicky's Story: I got Nicky from a friend in Taranaki. Previously she had been owned by two boys and she supported them with their development, as she is such a great pet. She can be a bit cheeky, but is safe for kids to handle and play with on the ground. We have rehomed Nicky to a friend in Marton.

Brozie

Age: 9

Breed: Domestic house cat

Brozie's Story: I got Brozie off TradeMe of all places when she was 2 years old. The people who had her thought she was a boy at the start, hence the name... They needed to find a new home for her because the other cats at their place kept beating her up! She is a very cool cat and easy to have around. She often disappears when guests come, but loves to come back inside at night time. Unfortuantely she got old and had to be put down.

The other sheep

When we purchased this new property we inherited some sheep and these are the 2 we have left, Marshmallow and Lolly! No idea how old they are, or what breed they are. Like our 2 pets though, they love the sheep pellets!

At the end of 2023 we sold these sheep and their lambs.

Spirit

Age: 12

Breed: Welsh x riding pony

Height: 11.1hh approx

Her Story: I got Spirit from someone selling her and her sister on behalf. They hadn't done a lot, just been pulled out of the paddock (or chased in by motorbike!) when grandies came from what I understand. She was very stoic and seemed not too crazy when we first got her, but as she settled in we saw a different side of her. Separating from her sister did not help her anxiety. I was 10 days off having Willow when we got her (what was I thinking!!), so didn't have a lot of time. This time though was good for her to settle in. Nearly 2 years on now and she is like a different pony, the change in her is amazing. She truly wants to be with people now and is actually a real sweetie!

Gypsy

Age: Mid 20's

Breed: Welshy

Height. 10.2hh approx

Her Story: I was looking for another pony to join the team and for the kids to ride and we can across Gypsy. We got her from Waipuk, from a family who had purchased her 18 months earlier and it hadn't worked out. After we made the purchase, new information came to light of her history that even her previous owner wasn't aware of. If our research is correct she has bred about 5 very lovely foals and is likely 25 years old. Her colour is Black Roan, which is why she has a lot of grey/white hair through her coat. We got Gypsy in May of 2022, she is a shy girl and it has taken her a bit to settle in, but she too is now part of the team.

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