On Tuesday 20th December, Rowan the pony made a festive visit to the St Barnabas Hospice Inpatient Unit in Lincoln to bring Christmas cheer to the hardworking cl
inical staff there.
The little pony was dressed up in antlers, with a jingling bell on her nose and tinsel around her neck in place of reins.
Rowan is a 7-year-old Welsh Section A pony and was brought in by St Barnabas MDT Administrator Sarah Smith, whose friends Rosalyn and Malcolm Dawson keep the lovely pony in a pasture in Market Rasen. The couple lets Sarah, her daughter Amelia and son Jack use the pony as their own and as such they are very attached to one another.
Sarah says: “Rowan is such a wonderful girl, she’s so gentle and loves a fuss and a treat. Some of the nurses fed her peppermints today and she’s very pleased about that, she gobbles them right up. Rowan seems to be having a great time playing the role of a reindeer today and getting lots of attention!
“It’s the first time Rowan has been out and about meeting people, and she’s so calm. She’s used to visitors coming to her in the field she shares with four other ponies, including my pony Pearl who’s a fair bit bigger than Rowan so couldn’t come into the Unit today. When the weather gets better, I hope Pearl can come along to visit the St Barnabas team, I wouldn’t want her to get jealous of Rowan getting all the attention!
“I want to say thank you to Rosalyn and Malcolm for letting us bring Rowan in. Added thanks go to Sarah Cumberland who owns Sunny Side Stables in Snarford and kindly provided the horse box for today and to my friend Jackie Howard for the monetary donation towards the fuel for today.
“It’s a wonderful team effort and we’re so happy that Rowan put a big smile on the faces of the Hospice staff! They work so hard, and they do an incredible job, so it’s great to give something back. The ponies have been a rock to me during sad times, they are just there and instantly know when you need comfort.
“If we have made one person’s day today, then it has all been worthwhile.”