The visit of Gus, a 10-year-old miniature horse from North Taieri, was organised through chief nursing officer Teresa Bradfield as a treat for a horse-mad long-stay patient in the children's ward.
Ms Bradfield, herself a keen horsewoman, thought one of her mounts, Bogart, at 17.2 hands, might be a tad too big.
She called on her friend Anne Williams, a medical radiation technologist at the hospital, to see if she could help out.
Gus, at a mere seven hands, was considered a better size and with previous experience visiting Ross Home and Birchleigh Rest Home, the Williams family were confident he would not be fazed by the occasion.
To ensure there were no unwelcome deposits left in the ward, he was fitted with a special manure catcher which he put to good use during his short visit.
The girl for whom the visit had been organised did not want to be identified, but was reportedly delighted to see Gus, as were other children, staff and parents in the ward.
Gus travelled in one of the children's pavilion lifts, happily unaware it was famous for trapping former Prime Minister Jim Bolger and his entourage some years ago and a group of pre-schoolers last year.
Ms Bradfield said the SPCA dog squad had been visiting the hospital for pet therapy since 1997, but the horse visit was a first.
