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?

Wow, I have never heard of this!

I don't think it's cruel - it's not actually hurting the animal so you can't compare it to actual animal cruelty.

However I don't agree with it, it's not teaching children to respect and care for animals in an appropriate, respectful and responsible way.

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.

Nope, you've not misunderstood. Saw it on FB myself where somebody had posted a newspaper article about them. Seems it's a thing.
Absolutely ridiculous. Get yourself a My Little Pony toy if you want to play at painting horses etc.
I have two kids, and can't imagine teaching them it's perfectly OK to go round drawing on animals.

I hate it. Its an hour that kids could have spent grooming the pony and learning how to care for it.
They can paint on paper.

However I don't agree with it, it's not teaching children to respect and care for animals in an appropriate, respectful and responsible way.
Yep, that's my problem with it too.

I truly don't get the outcry, to me it is no different to riding, grooming or working a pony or any animal as long as it's well cared for, and the activity isn't harming it. This harms them less than many activities like riding, driving etc.

I can see how it wouldn't sit right with some people, but the outrage has genuinely surprised me regarding this because I see animals exploited every day for human gain and whim, yet there's such anger and rage at this.

I see ponies tethered by their necks by the side of roads, no water or very little, no company, no shade or shelter, chains rubbing against their legs, the circle of grass covered in shit and eaten to nothing - and yet people walk and drive past. Paint a well cared for pony and there's hysterics! It makes no sense.

Is this another thing we’ve inherited from America - or is a totally crass idea we’ve come up with all by ourselves. Absolutely appalling.

I see ponies tethered by their necks by the side of roads, no water or very little, no company, no shade or shelter, chains rubbing against their legs, the circle of grass covered in shit and eaten to nothing - and yet people walk and drive past. Paint a well cared for pony and there's hysterics! It makes no sense

Again with the “hysterics” label. Just because you’re not able to understand, doesn’t mean people are hysterical.

Frankly I’m staggered that you can’t understand, it’s been explained in very simple terms. Not our fault you can’t get it.

These neglected ponies, one presumes you’ve reported it to the police and the RSPCA/relevant animal welfare people?

I truly don't get the outcry, to me it is no different to riding, grooming or working a pony or any animal as long as it's well cared for, and the activity isn't harming it. This harms them less than many activities like riding, driving etc

Parents shouldn't be teaching their children that it's perfectly OK to treat animals as their personal playthings.

I'd have no problem with the children painting each other.

And those who say people's reaction is ott, you are probably the type who would poison bunnies and hedgehogs for entering your precious garden.

Am I? Not sure how you have extrapolated that from my post, and as for my precious garden..........Umm, it's actually resembling a hay field.

this is exactly the reaction I was talking about, cannot have a debate over it without being accused of being a bunny/hedgehog killer. Odd.

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

In that example the horse would have been painted by one calm and experienced adult not a group of overexcited children.

I think it’s totally wrong and I have signed the petition against it.

One would be correct regarding the neglected ponies, however they are often moved on when the police or a welfare organisation get involved to somewhere else, where a new bunch of people will walk and drive past. And the RSPCA are so slow to respond, and do relatively little when they do, it's not worth the call. I call local independent places, far quicker.

No way ...this whole idea has to be a piss take...
The world has gone fucking mad if this is a thing

this is exactly the reaction I was talking about, cannot have a debate over it without being accused of being a bunny/hedgehog killer. Odd.

Given that you labelled those calmly replying to the AIBU YOU started as hysterical that’s hilarious. One rule for OP another for everyone else is it?

One would be correct regarding the neglected ponies, however they are often moved on when the police or a welfare organisation get involved to somewhere else, where a new bunch of people will walk and drive past. And the RSPCA are so slow to respond, and do relatively little when they do, it's not worth the call. I call local independent places, far quicker

So do they get moved by the neglectful owners or rescued?

What about the dignity of the horse? Same as dressing dogs up in tutus and other shite costumes. All the little darlings are being taught are that animals are playthings. Of all the experiences you could buy for your child, is that really the best one?

Leaving aside animal cruelty, it is incredibly bad taste and tacky.

A colleague in work, who normally has good sense and taste, recently did this for her child’s birthday. I asked what the RSPCA thought. She look nonplussed, she said it isn’t cruel. I could not say too much, I did not want to fall out with her, but I wanted to say your daughter is a spoilt and indulged little madam and you have showed yourself to be without taste or sense. But I restrained myself. Hope she is reading this thread.

child goes to a riding party and then comes home and tried to ride Fido.

Bit of a stretch, most children of age to ride would know the difference between riding a horse and a dog.

It’s fucking ridiculous to paint a horse for absolutely no reason whatsoever. Find a more imaginative way to entertain your children rather than degrade and animal for entertainment.

There is a massive difference between training agility in dogs and a circus, surely you can see that or are you being deliberately obtuse as you know your point is insane?

Seems a bit odd to me.

But if the pony is well cared for and doesn’t care if it’s being painted and the kids are old enough to be gentle and appreciate I don’t see that it’s worse than riding a horse is it?

Having said that I know very little about horses so don’t know if it is safe/ if the horse would be bothered. So take my thoughts with a pinch.

But I am also surprised by the strong reactions.

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

So no horse riding for pleasure or sport, no dog racing, no pets.

I have horses and ponies we quite often paint the ponies usually pink nothing wrong with it and granddaughter never tries to paint any other animals we have

Horrible trend! Totally unfair on the animal and teaches children to regard animals as entertainment and not sentient beings.

I think it's the thin edge of the cruelty wedge.

Again with the “hysterics” label. Just because you’re not able to understand, doesn’t mean people are hysterical.

Yes, hysterical responses like being a bunny and hedgehog killer for coming into my garden - a response right here on this thread. And that it is cruel, I cannot see the cruelty, I can see how people may disagree with the principal but I cannot see the cruelty when the animal is not being harmed.

Frankly I’m staggered that you can’t understand, it’s been explained in very simple terms. Not our fault you can’t get it.

I have read the 'simple terms' and it's basically mud throwing. The few that have answered sensibly I have taken in, hence the response that I can see the moral objection some people may have, however I do not still understand how in any way this is any more cruel and exploitative than riding the pony, or taking a dog to an agility competition for example.

How do people feel about the fancy dress competitions they often have at gymkanas? Dd’s pony has gone as a unicorn, as a medieval palfrey and as a space pony with fairy lights. Is that cruel and exploitative?

Bit weird but I can't really get worked up over it. I've got horses.

Yes, hysterical responses like being a bunny and hedgehog killer for coming into my garden - a response right here on this thread

Written AFTER you slung the usual way to shut women up out. Nice try OP.

I have read the 'simple terms' and it's basically mud throwing. The few that have answered sensibly I have taken in, hence the response that I can see the moral objection some people may have, however I do not still understand how in any way this is any more cruel and exploitative than riding the pony, or taking a dog to an agility competition for example

You get it, you know better than anyone and just wanted to flex your opinions to put people down. Says it all really, have fun up on that high horse of yours OP. I rather hope it bucks

I don't see that as the same thing, when you ride your pony or train your dog, you're a team. People dont compete if the animal doesn't enjoy it, there isn't any point.

I don't think pony painting is cruel, but I do think its pointless and teaches a poor attitude towards animals.

How do people feel about the fancy dress competitions they often have at gymkanas? Dd’s pony has gone as a unicorn, as a medieval palfrey and as a space pony with fairy lights. Is that cruel and exploitative?

I’d say so yes, for the same reasons.