Painting pony parties - yay or neigh?

[Paintedponio]

I have just seen a post on Facebook, shared from a national news station, about pony painting parties and some people that are protesting them and trying to get them stopped on the grounds that they are animal cruelty.

The responses were largely agreeing that it is cruel, and should be banned, that it teaches children not to respect animals, though there were some saying the opposite. Many replies were angry, saying it's exploitation, cruel, abuse and all in the name of making money for the owners.

The organiser of one of the companies that runs these parties has stated that the children are supervised, and wear protective equipment, the ponies are not overloaded, one party a day, and the paints are not harmful to animals, and washed off afterwards, and applied with soft brushes, much like grooming the pony.

Personally, I really don't see the problem. I think it's a great way for a retired, older or unridable pony to have interaction with people, and many ponies love the attention of children fussing over them. I think it is a lovely way to introduce children to horses, without them having to ride, which they could be too scared to do, and they are supervised and wearing the right equipment. Some comments said it wasn't fair on the pony because it doesn't have a choice, and some people were furious about it, but I don't understand why, horses have no sense of self, show them a mirror and they think it's another horse, and as long as the paint doesn't irritate them then it is probably easier to get off than stable stains or mud!

The ponies feel the brushes, but much like they are being groomed, which just about anyone who's ever had anything to do with horses will tell you is an activity that is essential to a horses well being.

When I trained with horses, the college used to paint the skeletal structure on one side and the muscle structure on the other side of a grey horse and lunge him (long line so the horse goes around you in a circle while you stand in the the middle) to demonstrate how the muscles and bones work while walking/trotting/cantering and jumping, it was amazing and such a good teaching tool and the horse was happy and healthy.

So what does the MN jury think? What is your opinion of pony painting parties and do you think they should be banned?

[Averyimportantperson]

Would you think it was OK if it was a cat? Or a cow or sheep?

Of course they are not OK and should be banned.

Animals are not toys and should be treated with respect.

[ShinyMe]

What? I've never heard of these but are you saying people allow kids to PAINT ponies? As in, paint on them? How the bloody hell is that legal? Honestly, what the actual fuck? I hope to hell I've misunderstood.

If kids want to groom ponies, can't they have a pony grooming lesson? Painting live animals, no matter how well supervised is all kinds of wrong imo.

[HelpmeobiMN]

I don’t see how it’s any more exploitative than a riding party as long as it’s properly supervised and animal welfare is put fit’s!

[Wedontbelievewhatsontv]

yrs... no!

[Celebelly]

Why on earth would someone want to paint a pony? The whole thing sounds bizarre. Even if it isn't cruel it's just odd.

[Skarossinkplungerridesagain]

I think anything which uses animals for entertainment should be banned.

Would you go to a circus with animals op?

[YouTheCat]

Why not have a party where the kids get to muck out and groom then?

I think painting ponies is a shit idea.

[YeTalkShiteHen]

Indulgent bullshit. Perfectly acceptable ways to get kids into horse riding/keeping horses without reducing them to toys.

[HoleyCoMoley]

Why not just brush the ponies gently, why do they need to be painted, that is the most ridiculous thing I've heard for ages.

[Wedontbelievewhatsontv]

oops ! ffs ..no way . Turning animals into play toys . Bored today children? Here's a pack of felt tips ... go colour in the dog 🙄

[chickenowner]

I despair. What utter self indulgent rubbish.

Of course this is not OK!

[Celebelly]

Whatever happened to a nice game of musical chairs and a party bag?

[Aeroflotgirl]

I think it is cruel and inhumane, treats the horses like toys or objects, not living breathing creatures to be respected. I know throwing is washable, but it is defiling them.

[isseywithcats]

So when the child goes home and paints the family dog with bright coloured paints that are probably toxic to the dog that's ok because they were taught that its ok to paint an animal at their friends party, and the college example is one responsible adult who knows her horse painting the information on a horse who knows her, and not several giggling girls and boys crowding round a horse i am one of the people who signed the petition to have these banned

[Aeroflotgirl]

Paint doh

[Tigger85]

Ponies are not canvases, you could have a pony party where the kids groomed and fed the pony. Children should be taught that animals are sentient beings with their own feelings and needs, not disposable objects to be used however people like.

[rinabean]

Of course they should be banned. I didn't know they were a thing in the first place. Why the fuck would you want to paint a pony anyway?

[FissionChips]

Im horrified that this is a thing.

[Ivorbig1]

Wtaf. Some weird people out there.

[MarthaArthur]

Although I agree its not hurting them and some of the replies online are hysterical in the extreme, it is poor show. Its a living animal not a canvas and shouldnt be treated like one. I agree with others that grooming them would be far better use of time.

[sexnotgender]

Awful idea, seriously what is wrong with people

[chicken75]

Ffs it's ridiculous. No it's not ok because they are older horses.

[RoseTheHatt]

I think it’s daft and pointless but calling it cruel is rather hysterical and puts it on the same level as things that are actually cruel.

[Horsemad]

Bloody outrageous

[CSIblonde]

So promoting the idea that an animal is a plaything for children's entertainment is OK. Vile. Just vile.