Kate Jones, Team Lead and Educator for the Kids' Foundation NSW Mini Equine program, emailed us to simply say thank you. She wasn't after anything at all, she'd been setting up a new program with two very special ponies, buying the best gear she could as and when she could and wanted us to know how much she loved our nets.
"I just wanted to send a huge shout out and thanks to you for your outstanding service and quality of your gear.
Although I haven't needed to buy a great deal from you, I cannot believe that on all three occasions, the packages have arrived within three working days of my order. The last one was the Grad-Dual feeder which I ordered over the weekend and was on my verandah when I arrived home from work last night! It is already a huge success with little Paddington, who is on a very restricted diet which he is not happy about. This feeder seems to have already helped him to slow down and enjoy his feeds much more!
The quality of your hay nets are also outstanding - I have two which stay outdoors 24 hours a day, but also travel on the float and are used when the ponies are stabled overnight. The quality and strength is incredible!"
We were so taken with what Kate is building that we asked if we could share her story. Here it is!
What is the Kids' Foundation Mini Equine program?
The Mini Equine program runs alongside the Kids' Foundation's children's safety and wellbeing programs in preschools and schools. The ponies also visit nursing homes and hospitals as part of intergenerational programs, bringing young and old together around a pair of very patient little horses.
You'll also find them at events and fundraisers, helping raise awareness of the work the Kids' Foundation does right around Australia.
Victoria already has a well established program run by Naomi Maynard. In NSW, Kate's work has only just begun, and she's building it from the ground up with no funding or sponsorship yet.
The Upper Hunter
The Upper Hunter is home to the Tour d' Horse, the Kids' Foundation's most successful fundraising event, held every May. Gundy, a small village near Scone, has also been chosen as the site for a Kids' Foundation wellbeing retreat and wellness centre.
Meet Paddington and Bullseye
Paddington (a taffy) and Bullseye were gifted to Kate for the sole purpose of starting the NSW program. Over the past months she's taken her time getting to know them and training them to be kind and patient, which is exactly what you need in a pony who spends his days meeting excited preschoolers and nursing home residents.
Our GutzBusta Nets
Kate has two GutzBusta hay nets that stay outdoors 24 hours a day, travel on the float, and get used whenever the ponies are stabled overnight. As the program grew and invitations to events a couple of hours away started rolling in, we were thrilled to send two Extra Small Knotless nets with 40mm holes, just for travelling and visiting new places.
They've already been put to work, Kate and the ponies recently spent three days at the King of the Ranges event at Murrurundi, and the nets were in use all day, every day.
Paddington's story
Little Paddington is on a very restricted diet, and he isn't shy about letting Kate know he's not a fan! He's had a serious history of foundering, so his feeding is managed carefully alongside strict diet and exercise routines.
Kate added a Grad-Dual feeder to his setup, and it's helped him slow down and enjoy his feeds much more, in her words
"The haynets and the slow feeder I bought from you have been a huge help in managing Paddington's health and wellbeing... along with strict diet and exercise management, the net and feeder have literally saved his life and helped him to be happy and healthy!"
For us, this is exactly why slow feeding matters. A horse or pony on restricted rations can still spend longer foraging, feel more settled, and be a happier little soul for it.
Thank you, Kate
Kate told us she'll never be a large purchaser. but honestly, that doesn't matter one bit. Hearing that our nets and feeders are helping two ponies do such meaningful work in schools, nursing homes and hospitals is about the best feedback we could ask for.
We can't wait to follow Paddington and Bullseye as the NSW program grows. To learn more about the Kids' Foundation and the work they do across Australia, visit their website at kidsfoundation.org.au.
