Meet Pacey the first Kiltwalk horse!

Kiltwalk’s neigh problem for Pacey the horse.

Walking 13 miles will be neigh bother for Pacey the first Kiltwalking horse!

The three-year-old miniature Shetland pony is saddling up with owner Irene MacKenzie to walk 13 miles in the Dundee event.

No, we’re not horsing aroundPacey really is planning to hoof it to the finish line and it looks like the cute clopper will be the mane attraction.

Prized pet Pacey was a gift for Irene’s 40th birthday two years ago.

He joins a whole host of family pets, including other ponies, pigs, a poodle and a border collie, who all live on the MacKenzie’s smallholding in Blairgowrie, Perthshire.

As he’s a show horse, Pacey needs to stay in shape that’s why Irene first started to take him out walking.

The mum-of-two said: “Pacey is so small that it was hard to think of ways to keep him fit, but he really enjoys walking so I started to take him out locally, just like you would walk your dog.

“Of course, in the beginning, people probably thought I was mad, but they seem to have got used to it now.

“In fact, we were wandering along the side of the A90 the other day and nobody batted an eyelid!

“But Pacey loves it. He can walk for miles and likes to take different routes so that there are new things to see. Passers-by are always stopping to clap him, and he just loves the attention.

“So I thought charity walks might be the way to go.”

Mum-of-two Irene and Pacey have already started training for long distances.

They’ve signed up to do the 64-mile Cateran Trail in the summer and then 13 miles in the Kiltwalk on October 5 when it debuts in Dundee, the home of DC Thomson and Kiltwalk mascot Oor Wullie.

“We’re really looking forward to it,” Irene said. “I think Pacey will really enjoy it, it will get us both fit, it’s a great motivation for exercise and we’ll be raising money for worthy charities.”

“Hopefully Pacey can provide some motivation for the other walkers too. I’d imagine he’ll be a very welcome addition.”

Kiltwalk CEO Carey McEvoy added: “We’re delighted to hear wee Pacey is joining the Dundee Kiltwalk.

“We like to think our events are open to everyone regardless of age, ability or penchant for hay!

“Our only hope is that he isn’t walking furlong!”