Addison Lines, 14, Jess Newson, 13, and Sienna Lines, 12, with Dixie, Bluey and Snowy.
Photo by
Kate Walters
If you’ve ever passed down Riverview Dve in Kialla with an animal lover, you’ve likely had your attention drawn to the horses that live along that stretch.
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And for those who may have wondered whether it’s okay to stop and pat the animals, owner Sinead Murphy has an answer: “Absolutely.”
Ms Murphy’s horses have been a fixture along Riverview Dve for about five years.
They get endless interaction with passersby, including several regular visitors.
Ms Murphy said she loved to see the joy and excitement the horses brought to others.
“When we see people here, we encourage them to come over and say hello,” Ms Murphy said.
“I love that the community gets to see how special this animal is.”
Ms Murphy has three horses currently residing in a paddock together.
Snowy is a small, white horse, about 33 years old, and the matriarch of the paddock.
Then there’s Dixie, a friendly mare who is about 25 years old, and Blue, a roughly 16-year-old Clydesdale mix, described as a gentle giant.
Remy Fernandes has visited the horses along Riverview Dve every day for years.
Photo by
Kate Walters
Almost every day for the past three years, the horses have received a visit from Remy Fernandes.
Mr Fernandes has loved animals since he was a child.
Growing up in India, he vividly remembers a circus bringing horses to town.
He liked their long tails and used to sneak out of the house to see them in the afternoons.
“I loved animals,” he said.
“There is something about animals with me.
“They like me.”
On his daily walks, Mr Fernandes brings carrots to Snowy, Dixie, Blue and a horse in the neighbouring paddock, who all run to meet him at the fence.
Ms Murphy said carrots were a surefire way to make friends with her horses.
“They remember the people who come on a regular basis and bring carrots,” she said.
There is a bit of a hierarchy when feeding the horses, Ms Murphy said.
She said people often worked it out fairly quickly, but for newcomers she recommended feeding Snowy first, then Blue and finally Dixie.
As long as people engage safely and respectfully — staying outside the paddock — Ms Murphy is happy for anyone to stop and interact.
“Seeing kids just light up and get so excited — I love it,” she said.
Ms Murphy said the horses were very friendly, loved people and didn’t bite.
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