This adorable miniature horse--who is also a therapy horse--won Martha Stewart's Halloween Pets 2011 Photo Contest, and it's easy to see why.
Cloudburst, a miniature therapy horse of Gentle Carousel, models his Halloween look that won him the most popular pet in Martha Stewart's photo contest. | Photos courtesy of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses
Gentle Carousel’s miniature therapy horse Cloudburst wearing his scarecrow costume (he really is holding his basket) won Martha Stewart’s Halloween Pets 2011 Photo Contest. The photo was selected from over 500 national finalists.
The winning description was included on Martha Stewart’s contest page:
‘”These tiny therapy horses (only 19 and 20 inches tall) work inside hospitals, assisted care programs, programs for Alzheimer’s patients, group homes, and with patients in hospice care,” writes gentlecarousel. “They also work with sheriff’s officers in high-crime neighborhoods as part of a community outreach program, and help children with developmental delays and at risk-and abused children. They’ll wear a tuxedo to a magical tea party for a child with a life ending illness or work with autistic children — these little horses bring special love where it is needed most.” ‘
Cloudburst and his therapy horse friends, all wearing Halloween costumes, have spent October “Trick or Treating” inside hospitals, assisted care programs, programs for Alzheimer’s patients and with patients in hospice care. They are members of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, an all volunteer 501 (c)(3) non-profit charity. The team of 26 therapy horses and volunteers visit thousands of adults and children each year.
Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horse "Magic" models a tuxedo for a friend.
Gentle Carousel therapy horse Aladdin shows off his outfit from a Muscular Dystrophy Association charity event.
Being recognized by Martha Stewart was reportedly exciting for costume designer Sally Anfinsen, who makes more than 50 costumes a year for the miniature horses, everything from little cheerleader outfits for a camp for children with cancer to “Uncle Sam” outfits for the horses to wear at veteran’s hospitals.
Sally is currently working on 1950′s sock hop outfits for the horses (with leather jackets and poodle skirts) for an upcoming dance marathon to benefit The Children’s Miracle Network.
For more about the Gentle Carousel miniature therapy horses, go to their website.
