Miniature pony named Harry wins hearts wherever he goes with his big personality
Miniature Shetland pony Harry is only 32in tall and 46in long, but he is a big show-off.
The pint-sized pony has not only paraded to Buckingham Palace but he has posed as everything from a dragon to Spider-Man.
And wherever little Harry goes, his big personality wins hearts, according to his owner Emma Hinds, 39, who bought the tiny steer seven years ago so her son Fin, then four, could learn to ride.
Harry, who beds down in a stable beside the family’s full-sized horse, Desi, is no bigger than a large dog.
Harry at Buckingham PalaceBut Emma and her garage owner husband Dave, 44, often let him roam around their home.
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Emma recalls: “The first time, our three dogs were not too impressed by the visitor, but they were soon sharing some treats together.
“Harry was already very well trained, thankfully, so we knew there would be no chance of him messing on the floor.
Harry dressed up as a Dragon with Finn“I think I might have been divorced if that happened!”
Harry first got a taste for stardom when he won a fancy dress class at a horse show in 2016.
Emma told how she “spent hours” making a quirky Spider-Man costume with legs made from pool noodles for both Harry and Fin.
Harry as Spider-Man
Harry with his stable mate Desi the horseAnd the following year, she designed a Red Arrow costume – with wings made out of cardboard – for her equine friend, while Fin dressed as a pilot.
She says: “We were so pleased to take first place again. Harry loved every minute and was a huge hit with the spectators young and old.”
At other shows, the tiny horse has dressed up as a dragon and police car, with Fin, now 11, driving him. “We did have a few jokes about what horse power it was,” laughs Emma.
Harry as a police car ridden by FinnWhen Fin got too big to ride Harry, Emma started letting her friend’s daughter, Faith, in on the fun. And in December 2019, when Harry was invited to take part in the New Year’s Day parade in London on behalf of All The Queens Horses, Faith was his proud rider.
“Harry loved plodding through the streets with 60 other horses. He wasn’t fazed by all the attention,” Emma says. That same year, Harry also started visiting care home residents, much to their delight.
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Emma, from Oxfordshire, says: “It was such an amazing feeling, seeing the look on people’s faces as they stroked him, that I decided to start doing it regularly as a volunteer. I got proper insurance and started taking him once a month to various local care homes. The residents love him.
“He is happy going in the lifts to get up to the different floors and visit the residents in their bedrooms.
Harry as a confetti pony at a family wedding
Harry wearing a plane costume with Finn“He doesn’t even mind wearing a special poo bag to collect any mess.”
In December, Harry – who is now 14 – was invited to parade through London once again, trotting from Piccadilly to Westminster.
“The atmosphere was electric and Harry lapped up every minute,” Emma says.
“He may be miniature, but he creates a very big impression.”
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