Search for home a big problem for tiny horses

For such small horses, these "tiny trotters" are faced with a big problem.

For the past five years or so, Lesley Lowe and her 10 little ponies have been entertaining children with trail rides and lessons at the Tiny Trotters Animal Park in Redwood Lane, Tauriko, but since her lease ran out at the end of May they are looking for a new home.

Temporarily grazing in Welcome Bay, Ms Lowe said it had been hard to find a new property for her business.

"I never expected it would be this hard," she said. "It's been really depressing [trying to find somewhere]."

She was looking for the right place, somewhere that would not require too much work to fix up, with about 1.5ha to 2.5ha for her ponies and preferably with a barn or shed.

Ms Lowe has been with some of her "precious" miniature horses - named Rosie, Casey, Jason, Tinkerbelle, Guipedo, Bonita, Hope, Wish, Faith and Charity - for up to 20 years, and they have given many children a joyous experience.

Ms Lowe said it was not all bad news, though, saying she had been approached by a producer who wanted to do a series about three 10-year-old girls who had two chariots and a carriage.

It was very early days she said, and she first wanted to find somewhere suitable to run her business from.

She was not fully operative from the property in Welcome Bay, though had taken some children out on a trek.

Call Lesley Lowe on 544 4370 or 021 334 629 if you know of any properties or have any suggestions.