The Horses

Bella

Bella Bella shares Whale’s paddock. She’s a small skewbald pony (white with chestnut splotches/patches) with a long tail and mane that comes down to her knees. She’s almost small enough to walk under Whale’s belly (but slightly bigger than Tarzan). She has a sweet face, skinny legs and a big body.

Whale and Bella adore each other, despite the difference in their sizes and she is the ONLY horse he will share his food with. Birdy rescued Bella years ago. Going to the city by train, she spotted an emaciated pony tethered to a Hill ’s Hoist in a suburban back yard and her heart went out to the poor little thing. Birdy got off at the next station and explained sweetly to Bella’s uncaring owner that she’d seen his beautiful pony from the train and wondered if he’d consider selling her.

When Bonnie was a tiny girl she rode everywhere on Bella, first on a lead rein with Birdy and Whale, and then by herself, flat out. The people of Currawong Creek got used to hearing tiny hooves galloping and then Bonnie and Bella arriving in a flurry of mane and loose reins. Bella loved Bonnie and never tried to buck her off, but everybody else who tried to ride her bit the dust. Now Bonnie is too big for the pony - if she stretches, Bonnie can reach the ground with both toes while she is sitting on Bella - and Birdy is hoping another small person will “click” with Bella.