Christmas present deliveries have come by neigh rather than sleigh in Westgate, Westbrook and Garlinge this week in the shape of Shetland ponies Domino and Blake.
The little horses, with owners Bev Hayward and Paul Musselwhite, are delivering presents to families and raising money for Thanet Disabled Riding Centre at the same time.
Minnis Bay mum-of-three Bev and Garlinge dad-of-one Paul got out the Christmas outfits – for themselves and the horses – and for a £5 donation they delivered a gift and let the recipients meet Domino and Blake.
Paul said: “Bev has had the ponies for about six years and they are in stables at Garlinge. She had been talking about doing (Christmas gifts) for two or three years but can’t do it all on her own.
“I have been involved at the stables so started helping with the phone calls and organising.
“We wanted to do it for a local charity that people would related to when they donated and we have been to lots of Christmas festivals at Thanet Disabled Riding Centre and it is a good cause.”
The ponies are out on another delivery day today and will be stopping off at Roxburgh Care Home in Westgate to spend time with staff and residents.
Timber merchant worker Paul said: “We took them into the care home three or four weeks ago and everyone enjoyed it, there was lots of positive feedback.
“When we deliver the gifts to families it is nice to see not just the children’s happy faces but the parents too.”