Team

O’Malley is a retired riding school pony, and is the smallest ridden member of the Horses Connect 4-legged team.  He's a Welsh pony, about 12hh, in his mid 20's. O'Malley has been the starter pony for a lot of Horses Connect little riders. He came to us with bad laminitis, which is now being kept well under control thanks to diet, exercise, supplements, our brilliant farrier. He is the only member of the 4 -legged team to wear shoes. O’Malley is really smart and intuitive. He takes great care of his riders, and is very partial to plenty of TLC.

PADDY Paddy - full title Paddy4legs - is a wise and gentle soul. He's a traditional Irish cob and in his late twenties, so he has plenty of life experience! Before coming to Horses Connect, Paddy had a successful career on the hunting field and is no stranger to jumping walls and ditches. He is now in his late 20’s and retired from anything too strenuous but he just loves his new job as a therapy horse. It is no exaggeration to say that Paddy has changed the lives of many people for the better over the course of his time at Horses Connect. His kind and calm nature instils confidence and helps people deal with life's challenges.

REALTOG (Rail-togue) Realtog means ‘little star’ and this gentleman certainly lives up to his name. He is in his mid-20’s and 13hh. His breeding is unknown because he arrived a surprise bonus shortly after the family who own him bought his mother. Realtog has been with the same owners his whole life. He is now retired from Pony Club and other fun activities but still has a job as part of the Therapeutic Horse-riding program at Horses Connect. He is a wise old man who will do just about anything for a treat, but is not a fan of a lot of attention or fussing.

Richie is a full bred Connemara Pony. He was destined for a career with the Connemara Equestrian Escapes trekking team before a serious accident changed the direction of his life, and he came to Horses Connect. He now has a very important job as a member of the Horses Connect 4-legged team, where he is involved in Therapeutic Horse-riding and Equine-assisted Learning sessions. Richie is kind, calm and full of fun. He is curious and mischievous, and makes everyone smile with his antics.

Oisin was born in 2017 and dumped beside a canal when he was 2 months old. Luckily for him (and us) he was rescued and nursed back to health by the volunteers in My Lovely Horse Rescue. It was touch and go at times, but Oisin was a real fighter and overcame all the challenges life threw at him. In early 2020 he came to Horses Connect to join the Therapeutic Horse-riding team. He’s a stocky 13.2, with a broad back, so he was ideal for the job. During his training it became clear that Oisin had a physical issue that made him unsafe for riding. He is now a valued part of our ground-based programs and exceptionally good at reading and connecting with young people.

Buddy is our gentle giant. He’s a full Irish Draught, born in 2000. He’s over 17hh and weighs in at a massive 1800lbs! Buddy has lived in County Galway for his whole life. His career started in a local riding school where his favourite activity was beach rides! He then spent a few years hunting, until age and injury ended that career in 2021 and he came to Horses Connect. Although he is very big, Buddy is a real sweetheart and loves nothing more than cuddles and scratches.

Mary is the co-founder of Horses Connect, whose passion for horses and deep understanding of human nature inspire participants to discover their inner strength. She brings years of experience working with both people and horses, along with qualifications in Leadership, Mindfulness, and Mental Health Promotion. Her approach is gentle, supportive, and deeply transformative.

Eileen is a co-founder and trainer who believes that genuine connection, attention to detail, and the power of story are the keys to personal change. Her qualifications include Agile Business Analysis, Narrative 4, LIFT Facilitation, and Project Management — blending clarity, flexibility, and humanity in every session. Eileen helps participants see themselves in a new light — reflected in the honest responses of the horses.