Residents were in for a surprise when two Clydesdale horses from St Heliers Correctional Centre popped in for a friendly visit.

In a first for Strathearn and St Heliers – residents were able to interact with the gentle giants that are used as part of the correctional centres’ heavy horse program. 

The centre is home to eight Clydesdales which are used for various tasks including vegetable harvesting, pulling garbage trucks and carts for hay on the facility’s farm.

“We have our own breeding program – and the gentle nature of the breed makes them ideal for showing to elderly people for our inmates to interact with,” Correctional Centre governor Bill Fittler said.

“We have Jimbo here today who is 27 years old and was donated many years ago,” he said.

And, Jimbo certainly took the visit in his stride, welcoming the attention from staff and residents as they greeted him with arms open.

As the Hunter Valley has a strong history in horse breeding, many of the residents at Strathearn come from a horse background themselves –  so the visit seemed the perfect fit.

Residential Care Manager, Strathearn Village Kim Clarke said she was delighted they could bring the horses to interact with the residents.

“Scone is Australia’s leading horse community and many of our residents have strong associations with the horse world so being able to bring the program to Strathearn is wonderful,” she said.

“It is all part of making sure that our residents have access to a wide variety of activities and interests and we were delighted the jail was so willing to be involved.

“There was an extensive risk assessment undertaken prior to the visit.

“We are hoping that following on from the success of today that this will be the first of many opportunities involving the Clydesdale program.

“We’ve all loved it,” Ms Clarke said.