An urban riding school is bringing cheer to residents on lockdown by touring their ponies through local streets. Park Lane Stables in Teddington, southwest London, has a unique location — the 300-year-old yard has survived intact despite all the surrounding area being built up with housing.
Although the Covid-19 outbreak has meant the stables, which are both a Riding for the Disabled Association and Pony Club centre, have had to close to customers, manager Natalie O’Rourke has tried to ensure that they remain at the heart of the community.
Although most of the school’s ponies have been turned out to grass 10 miles away, some of their elderly and laminitic inhabitants have had to remain on site.
Last week, while social distancing measures were in place, Natalie was taking the ponies out in hand to visit residents who had put in requests. Now the country is on lockdown, she is exercising them around local roads and letting householders know when to look out of their windows instead.
Ph. Equipassion