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?

I was going to answer this seriously, but it’s pretty obvious the OP is on a wind-up.

It’s a bit weird but I don’t see how it’such different to having a pony riding party. Surely the person in charge will tell the kids how to behave and tell them they can longer join in if they can’t. Horse riding is done solely to entertain people (I know it wasn’t historically but not many people tend to use horses for work or transport these days).

No no no - that is not on at all! Animals are treated badly enough without teaching kids that they're no more than a bit of paper they can deface.

It sends the wrong message to children, a message that many will grow up with, thinking that animals are there for their entertainment no matter what. I don't think they're a good idea.

The problem as I see it, is for every kind, gentle pony owner who makes sure that the children are treating the pony well, not being too rough, aren't too many painting at once... There will be 20+ pale imitators behind them who are after a quick buck - and go and buy a cheap pony with no idea of its temperament and who may crowd too many children around it, who will buy cheap face paints that may be bad for the horse, and who won't be committed to caring for it once the money stops rolling in.

Horses may be traumatised and children may be hurt by a skitty horse that bites or kicks in a panic. It's an awful thought.

I'm not sure there anything more intrinsically wrong with it than actually riding a horse and no one seems to have a problem with that.

I don't like it at all. It teaches children that animals are 'playthings' rather than living things to be respected and cared for. Plus I suspect the ponies are pretty stressed out by having a bunch of over-excited kids running around it covering it in paint. Hell I get stressed having a load of kids running around me and shrieking at me at kids parties, and I'm not being covered in paint (and I understand the kids don't mean me any harm, the same of which cannot be said for certain of a stressed pony who won't necessarily understand the kids intentions).

Learn About a Pony Party would be much better.

Diet, grooming, how to treat a pony, how to respect that a pony in a field they walk past isn't there for their entertainment, why you shouldn't feed or approach ponies/horses in fields, all the common-sense equine stuff that people nowadays seem to be lacking.

They can have a small toy pony to paint and glitter so there's something to take home afterwards and a bag of ponypoo for the roses in their garden

beware but people are constantly taught that animals are there for their entertainment - pets, zoos, farm parks - all for the sole purpose of amusing people.

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?

I honestly don't get your point here........ yes to respond to my post about painting ponies by saying I kill hedgehogs and bunnies is hysterical and utterly ridiculous. I didn't label ALL the responses as hysterical, in the AIBU I started, that one stuck out.

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?

I have known some to be rescued by a local shelter, however, when a letter goes up near the horse, stating that it's been seen by a welfare officer etc and they want the owner to get in touch, they will often be moved. It's called fly grazing and although technically they're not supposed to, the red tape and paper work and tracking down takes that long the pony is long gone.

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.

Nice try for what? And why is it assumed I threw the usual to shut anyone up? Never mind women, it is my opinion, I'm allowed it, as you are allowed yours. I've not said anyone is wrong for what they think, just that I personally, don't see the issue.

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 wink

I haven't said anywhere that I know better than anyone, I am genuinely trying to understand the outcry and why it is labelled as cruel, when the pony is not harmed. (Am I allowed to use the word outcry or does that make me sound like I want to flex my opinion and put people down too?!)

How about Paint a Kid Parties? That sounds like a laugh.

I'm sure the children would love the interaction with other children?

it sounds totally weird to be honest. I hear what you are saying about painting the skeleton and muscles to horses to teach anatomy. I don't really think spreading body paint on a pony is the same noble deed.

This teaches children how to disrespect animals and that they are there for their entertainment. Horse riding g is totally different, not only are they riding horses with somebody trained and who cares for horses, but it involves horse care and grooming.

Painting animals takes this further, it is defiling the animal, akin to grafiti, but on a horse.

@Padparadscha
I was going to answer this seriously, but it’s pretty obvious the OP is on a wind-up.

Please do answer because it is not a wind up. I do not see how painting a pony exploits it any more than riding it, or taking a dog to an agility class or teaching a parrot to talk - and so far I have had some answers regarding this, as in the respect angle and the chance children will paint other animals with unsuitable things. No one has really answered that.

Horse riding is not completely different and I say that as a horse rider, with DC who are riders. There's plenty of messing around with horses that's done purely for entertainment and no one raises an eyebrow.

The problem is if you start criticising riding as "entertainment" it's a slippery slope to criticising all pet ownership as ultimately being about human wants and needs and that doesn't fit with many "animal lovers" narrative.

I don't think you get it op,you never will.

A lot of people use colored and glittery “hoof polish” and we always use a blue tinted shampoo on dd’s grey pony.

Paintedponio - you've been told by several people where the problem lies with it. You obviously don't want to listen though.

Riding and training a dog can offer health benefits mutual to both animal and human.
Painting it - not so much.

Of course there's a fine line between putting a nice collar on a pet, or a jacket, and starting to add additional decor 'in fun', and it's not always easy to know where to draw that line, but painting a pony does does tend to fall in the camp of superfluous styling of an animal for fun or human pleasure only. It doesn't sit well with many people.

I'm of the same opinion with over the top grooming of pets too, but that's just me.

I new Bertrand had that blue rinse for something! Fancy using a pony as her cover story!

*knew - my God!

We have horses and I don't like this idea at all (and those similar where they turn the poor things into unicorns for children to come and pat). They are not toys and children should not be encouraged to treat them as such.

Children should be taught to respect animals. There are perfectly sensible ways that children could be introduced to ponies but this is not it. A bunch of excitable children, possibly fuelled by sweets and junk from party food, painting a pony is not my idea of respecting an animal.

It's disrespectful and just horrible. Treating an animal like a fucking canvas. You don't draw on a beautiful animal. Just no. The only time artwork should be on a living thing is if that living being has chosen it themselves eg a tattoo they chose.

Also I would assume it's also potentially dangerous for the kids? What if one of them pokes the pony with a brush? Surely it's likely to be understandably pissed of and may kick? What if they decide that all part ones should roll over and let them fucking paint on them? Just no.

It's totally unnecessary, disrespectful, pointless and potentially dangerous. It could also be harmful to the animal. I mean who wants poking with a paintbrush over and over? This is just a horrible horrible idea and I hope it does get banned.

It’s grim

It's teaching kids that animals are part of play - they aren't.

If a child plays with an animal, it should be as part of the animal's play needs - not the child's. Playing fetch with a dog is animal play and a child can enjoy it too.
Painting an animal is manufactured form of child play that just uses the animal as a toy.