It's a horse. It's a fairy. No, it's illegal

NATALIE SLADE/The Dominion Post

READY TO PARTY: Miniature horse Angel Rose trots along a Waikanae street with Sara Giles-Palmer holding her reins through the car window.

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A miniature horse decked out as a fairy, trotting alongside a car on her way to a spring fling in Waikanae, has prompted a warning from police.

Sara Giles-Palmer was taking Angel Rose adorned with fairy wings, a tiara, wand, ribbons and fairy dust to Waikanae Beach Kids kindergarten to celebrate the start of spring with the preschoolers.

Holding on to Angel's reins through the passenger window, she drove at about 5kmh with the miniature horse trotting alongside the car on the berm.

"She loves skipping along beside the car. I only do it on quiet country roads," Miss Giles-Palmer said.

A police officer spotted the unusual travellers and slowed down to have good look, before waving and driving on.

But traffic sergeant Ron Walker said it was not safe practice. "Drivers should have complete control of a motor vehicle."

Drivers taking horses or dogs for walks alongside cars could be charged with careless use of a motor vehicle or charges under the Animal Welfare Act.

Miss Giles-Palmer said the preschoolers relished their early spring celebrations with Angel Rose.

"It was magic. The kids blew bubbles, waved wands and sprinkled fairy dust to celebrate the spring season. It gave the kids the chance to learn about how to touch and treat horses," she said.

The children were delighted when Angel Rose performed tricks but were a little concerned when, with wings secured to her back, she leapt off a block.

"They were a bit worried she would fly off into the heavens."

- © Fairfax NZ News