Rumand Coke's proving popular in the deep south

Life in the slow lane appears to be appealing to Ruby.

Rumand Coke, a well-named daughter of Bacardi Lindy, didn't place from seven starts racing against the likes of Cracker Hill and Chinese Whisper in the deep south from 2018-2021. She made one final start as a 9YO prior to retirement.

Now 14 Ruby, as she's now known, has found a new home with Monique Koch at her Invercargill-based Balance Equestrian and the former racehorse is now thriving in her Life After Racing.

"The only thing she'll say no to is fast work," laughs Koch, "she's like a normal horse but in slow motion."

"She always counts to three before doing anything."

And that is such a desired attribute in what she is doing now.

“In the paddock Ruby still loves to kick up her heels and race around with her herd companions - though as soon as she’s in the therapy arena she’s as quiet as can be."

Koch already knew plenty about the mare. She first rode her in 2021 when she was one of HRNZ's first HERO educators. The HERO (Harness Education and Rehoming Opportunities) programme is dedicated to retraining retired Standardbreds for Life After Racing, whether that's as a pleasure hack, trekking horse, or in the show ring.

"That first time I rode her was down the beach and she was unfazed by dirt bikes or traffic or anything."

She was then rehomed and remained with her new owner until last year, before Koch acquired her in October.

"A lot of people wanted her so I was rapt to get her," says Koch.

Ruby was also key in Koch's own rehabilitation after she had broken her back in a horse riding incident in January 2025.

Initially confined to a wheelchair she is now fully mobile and Ruby was one of the first rides she had in December last year after getting a medical clearance.

"I was a little nervous as it had been a few years since I'd ridden her but she was as steady as I remembered."

 Koch has since stepped away from her role as a HERO educator as she juggles her continued rehabilitation from her accident along with raising two young daughters (aged two and four) and running her own business.

Balance Equestrian is a boutique establishment that was formerly a harness racing stables used by the late John Higgins. Monique runs it alongside her husband Phil and with around 15 horses on site it offers horse boarding, respite care and equine assisted learning and therapy.

"We are supported by a small team of incredible staff and other therapists who operate from our facility.  Over the last few years I have been pursuing postgraduate study in Psychology to support our therapeutic programmes and work three days a week as a Behaviour Specialist for Healthcare NZ."

"My own accident and rehabilitation helped me find a different perspective to the services we offer here, particularly around autonomy and consent. This leads in to liberty work and relationship-based horsemanship as the foundation for our equine services. We interact with the horses using body language and voice commands, entirely free of tack (halters, bridles and lead ropes). The horse is given the autonomy to choose to stay and interact - or not."

"It's all about building trust and relationships," says Koch, "so many aspects of what people have learnt here they have taken into their everyday lives."

Ruby, it seems, has found her forever home.

For Monique and her team it's a win-win.