Aliya - The Little Sweetheart

Aliya came to Kerewong as a 2.5 year old filly in 2004, shortly after Southern Cross Horse Treks opened for business. She was small in size and despite hopes for her to grow a little more, she stayed small.

Always easy and cooperative with everything she's asked to do, Aliya started working as a trail riding horse at 5 years old (2006) and is Kerewong's most comfortable horse to ride with a surprisingly long flowing stride for her small size.

When she arrived at Kerewong the then 6 working horses gave young, sweet natured Aliya an extremely difficult time to become accepted into the herd - the process took over a year! - and she has been bullied all her life, always lowest in the pecking order, always scared and running away from all other horses and she never found a real friend and often stands separate from the other horses in the paddock.

The first years of racing through the paddock to get away from all those fit, mean and much stronger and older bullying horses eventually made Aliya into one of Kerewong's fastest and most surefooted horses. 

Her soft nature, extremely comfortable smooth gaits and easy uncomplicated style as a riding horse (mostly she is ridden bit-less, with just a rope halter) makes this little mare a favourite among the horse riding guests; her specialty going up the hills fast, galloping along the beach and water splashing in all sorts and forms imaginable.

To make up for her mean paddock mates, Aliya enjoys many privileges at Kerewong: she is often free to roam around the property, has her own separate feeding yard and during lunch in the forest she is loose and hangs around the picnic table for a treat.  

Little Aliya is older half-sister to tall Jimmy (out the same mare and the stallions are full brothers) and niece of Charlie and Kiya. 

Aliya was given a very well deserved early retirement in 2019, aged 18, due to her ongoing muscle problems. Aliya has been the favourite horse for many horse riding guests over many years, she is the most comfortable and reliable to ride and it will be impossible to replace her. She was present on almost all beach rides in her long working life.