Reining in little Pavlova

Her name is Pavlova, but the plucky miniature palomino prefers carrots.

However, a 4.20am jaunt from the yard of her carers' Lucknow Road home to Havelock North New World may well have been in search of stylish footwear, owner Valerie Potbury joked.

"She would have been looking for some carrots or any food as she is on a diet, or possibly some new shoes."

The miniature horse attracted attention when a member of the public notified police of the friendly but slightly stubborn escapee in the dim light of Thursday morning. She had made it as far as the New World car park and was unsure of the way home.

Constable Vicky Holden was tasked with wrangling Pavlova, who stands just 1 metre tall and is categorised as a class A miniature horse - the smallest around.

When Animal Control had no luck coercing the runaway into their van, Ms Holden fashioned a makeshift leash from emergency tape and walked her down to a paddock in Middle Rd.

Rene Stichbury, 19, had been taking care of the five-year-old palomino coloured horse and got the shock of her life after waking to find she was missing about 7am.

"I took her home to my house for my younger siblings to play with, I set up the electric fence but somehow she got through and pushed the gate open."

A search party was sent out but crisis was averted when one person encountered a police officer and made some enquiries.

"Luckily they knew what had happened to her."

It was a relief to walk up to the paddock and be reunited with an oblivious Pavlova on Thursday morning.

Ms Stichbury described her as having a cheeky side.

"She's very friendly, a bit shy, sometimes a bit mischievous, sometimes she wants to please."