Pony party for 5 year olds? Good or bad idea?

[arfishy]

Our local stables do a pony party for 3-6's. It's 30 minutes on a led pony then the use of the decorated gazebo for the party tea and games.

Here's the link:

www.malabarriding.com.au/birthdays.html

And here are the views:

www.malabarriding.com.au/trailrides.html

I know DD would love it, and the gazebo will be wonderful. It will be the height of summer here, so no worries about weather (aside from the sun - will do 3-5 prob). All the other parents I've polled have said that their DD would love it but I think it will be a problem for quite a few parents as one parent has to do the pony lead - so it makes life awkward for those with younger siblings (ie most of them).

What do you think? Good outdoorsy alternative or a complete pain?

[milfAKAmonkeymonkeymoomoo]

Great idea! But any grandparents of your DDs or willing Aunties?uncles that could come along and help out when the other parents can't?

[goingfor3]

It sounds great, I agree see if you can round up any friends relatives to help those parents with siblings. Maybe even if one person could watch the siblings while the parents do the pony trek.

[BabiesEverywhere]

What about ringing the stables and asking them for suggestions, this problem must of come up on the 3 to 6 year old party before ?

[arfishy]

Oh that's good, so all positive thoughts. So do you think as long as I give a good warning in the invitation it will be ok?

I'm just worried that other parents will think that this is a pain and that lots of children will be scared by the ponies etc etc.

[SixKindsOfCrisis]

Sounds like a brilliant idea for a party. A great change from the usual.

[Ellbell]

Sounds great. Had similar (but in the UK, so in the pouring rain!) for dd's 7th birthday. Kids loved it (parents less so, as all kids then started demanding riding lessons ). Ring the stables and ask if they have any willing teenagers who'd come and help with the leading if you can't get enough parents. Riding schools usually have any number of kids and hangers-on knocking about!

[forsale]

dd had a pony party for her 5th birthday it was a great hit despite being freezing (March bday). They played games on the ponies like musical ponies etc the ponies were all led by a stable girl/boy and then food in the waiting area of the riding school - brill

[nomdeplume]

I agree with Ellbell about asking the stables about willing teenagers. My 5yo DD rides and there are always a gaggle of teenagers willing to lead her, I think they get free lessons or hours when they volunteer to help out.

I do think the teenagers are an especially good thing as they are experienced with horses and therefore are more likely to be able to control the pony if s/he gets a bit frisky.

[nomdeplume]

sorry, I meant more likely to be able to control them than the parent of the child on the pony (who may not have any experience of horses).

[arfishy]

That's brilliant. Thank you all very much.

I'll have a word with the stables and see if we can have some teens on hand.

NDP - you are very right. Last time we went down the 'very tame' pony definitely was more in charge of DH than he was of her. Very good point about having some experienced teens on hand.

Thanks all, you've really helped. Seeing as everybody was so positive I think we'll definitely go with this.