No horsing about with Gold Coast twins to the rescue

THESE twins are not one trick ponies. Coast DJ twins and former Beauty and the Geek stars Brooke and Ellie Kelaart have launched a rescue and rehabilitation program for ill-treated horses.

Gold Coast DJ twins, Brooke and Ellie Kelaart, founders of Project Ponies, a rescue and rehabilitation program for ill-treated horses destined for slaughter. Pictured with rescued horse Sadie. Picture: Mike Batterham

THESE twins are not one trick ponies.

Gold Coast DJ twins and former Beauty and the Geek stars Brooke and Ellie Kelaart have launched a rescue and rehabilitation program for ill-treated horses destined for slaughter.

The 24-year-old sisters house up to eight rescued horses at a time at their family property in Tallebudgera Creek.

Dubbed Project Ponies, the Kelaarts look after neglected ponies until they are in top health and ready to be sold to caring and reputable new owners. They buy the frail horses at sale yards.

Gold Coast DJ twins, Brooke and Ellie Kelaart, founders of Project Ponies, a rescue and rehabilitation program for ill-treated horses destined for slaughter. Pictured with rescued horse Sadie. Picture: Mike Batterham

The horses are often dangerously underweight and en route for dog meat factories.

Bently, a five-year-old stock horse gelding, is one of the 20 horses the twins have saved in the past three years.

“He was very nervy and lean with rain scold and a couple of bites and cuts from being in the yards,” Brooke said.

“Feet and teeth had never been done.

“We spent a lot of time doing ground work and getting his trust, he took a lot longer than others.”

Gold Coast DJ twins, Brooke and Ellie Kelaart, founders of Project Ponies, a rescue and rehabilitation program for ill-treated horses destined for slaughter. Pictured with rescued horse Sadie. Picture: Mike Batterham

Bentley soon excelled under saddle, competed at two shows and is now in a new home with an 11-year-old girl.

Brooke and Ellie said all the horses they rescue received chiropractic services, acupuncture, massage and Emmett therapy — which the girls pay for themselves.

“They also have their teeth cleaned and checked by a dentist, hooves tended to by a farrier and a

specialised feeding plan instilled,” Ellie said.

Brooke and Ellie are international touring DJ’s on signed to the Ministry of Sound.

With their DJing and travel taking up most weekends, the girls spend their weekdays riding and caring for their ponies.