Pony farm owner thankful for flood of strangers who helped move animals during Tasman fire

The owner of a pony farm in Wakefield has been able to return to her property after facing a "scary" night and the prospect of losing her home to the Tasman fire.

Kirsty Lalich, who owns the Wild Oats pony farm south of Wakefield, says she wasn’t worried initially when the fire first broke out last Tuesday (February 5).

"We were actually having a dinner party and having a great time - we didn’t even think about the fire," Ms Lalich told 1 NEWS.

Ms Lalich said she was relaxed about the fire as most of the action was happening over the hill, but that changed when her daughter came home with videos of the fire she’d recorded while out.

At that point, Ms Lalich decided to try and move her 22 horses and several donkey to safety and she was stunned to see so many strangers turn up with floats to help her and answer the call, after word she needed help got out.

"We had float upon float upon float… we were turning floats away because we had gotten all the horses moved safely," she said.

"It truly, truly was unbelievable. It just gives you this faith again in people and that whole community essence.

"They didn’t even know me. Some people coming didn’t even know how many animals I had."

The horses were transported to nearby Stonehurst Farm where Ms Lalich says she was welcomed with open arms by owner Laurence Max.

"He just opened his gates and just said, 'come on in, here's the yard'.

"Laurence was feeding out morning and night for us."

Ms Lalich said she couldn’t thank everyone enough for their help.

"Out of this, what’s happened which is devastating, I think it’s amazing how it actually brings people together and brings the community back together.

"I don’t even know who these people are because I would love to repay them somehow.

"I wouldn’t recognise them in street because it was dark and we were running around but I truly do, from the bottom of my heart and for all my horses, thank them so much."

Ms Lalich has since gone back to her farm with her horses and was able to show concerned children all the horses were alive and well.