HorsePower veteran snags top award

A local horse has snatched a bronze medal for her volunteering work with people with disabilities. HorsePower Margaret River’s 17-year-old veteran KL — short for Eeraheady Kerry Lynn — was honoured at the RSPCA WA Animal Welfare awards earlier this month in Perth. Judges agreed KL’s “quiet, kind nature has been an asset in helping people with disabilities”. HorsePower’s Amanda Doig and veterinarian Sheila Greenwell accepted the award for KL. KL was among a number of drought-starved wild heritage horses rescued from WA’s far north by Dr Greenwell in 2005 and the “Eeraheady” moniker paid tribute to that outback station. Ms Doig told the Times KL was now the longest-standing member of the volunteer group which used to be known as Riding for the Disabled. “I have been fortunate to observe KL as she supports Horse Power participants to develop new skills and discover new abilities that lead to an enriched quality of life while overcoming physical, mental, and emotional obstacles,” Ms Doig said. “Whether it is a child diagnosed with autism, cerebral palsy or Down syndrome; a young teen struggling with emotional stress or from the effects of abuse; an adult recovering from a stroke or decreased muscle tone, HorsePower helps to build and focus on individuals’ abilities rather than disabilities by providing high-quality equine-assisted programs adapted to their needs,” Ms Doig said KL was again put through her paces at a celebration last weekend in Albany for WA’s re-raised 10th Light Horse Regiment. “Many months of training went into preparing and desensitising the horses to parade with army and military band,” Ms Doig said. “Not to mention the gun and cannon fire. I felt extremely privileged to ride KL in this event with the Bunbury and Albany troops and to represent the WW1 10th Light Horse, an enormous honour, and KL took it all calmly in her stride.” The RSPCA WA awards were held with a ceremony in Perth.