Would you accept an invite to a pony care party?

[Playingcatch]

This has come off the paint a pony thread. We have an older pony. He adores people and is very gentle. Loves children. I am struggling to pay his stabling costs at the moment for various reasons and have been trying to think for a way to balance the books. I’ve had him for 20 years so don’t really want to rehome him. (Think it might actually break my heart tbh). Do you think there is a market for a few children to come along. Teach them how to care for a pony, groom him, much out, feed etc. Then show them how to put a saddle on etc then each get a little ride. Or does that sound a bit dull for a party? How would you feel if your dc got this kind of invite?

Stop exploiting these poor animals for fucks sakes

MrsMorton

i don't think animals should be used for this sort of entertainment tbh

Horses and ponies are domesticated animals, perfectly used to being groomed and ridden. Your comment is ridiculous.

I think your idea is great OP. The children will love it and so will your pony. Just make sure you have everything covered.

The biggest issue I can see is your set up costs you are going to need a variety of sizes of hats as the children should be wearing them when handling the pony. At £25 minimum a hat and you maybe need up to ten hats to ensure you have the right sizes for everyone that's £250, then employers liability and public liability insurance is almost certainly going to be £250. You will need to be DBS checked to run the parties.

I think you could find a horse mad kid just starting out and strike up a deal whereby they get to come and see/care for/ride him 3 or 4 times a week. Like a part loan BUT you will be present and the times are pre-agreed. It means less responsibility for their parents and no handing your pony over to people you don't fully know.

Otherwise the pony party I wouldn't have a problem with as long as you were actually there leading it and it was for small parties of 6 or less.

Sorry just read other posts and ive changed my mind about the party thing. Dont do it.

Investigate part loans. Find someone you can trust.

Or find a way of making more money...

Loans are always tricky with ponies of any age aren’t they and that’s where BHS loan agreements come in. If you thought along those lines no one would ever sell their ponies on and we’d all be left with bored unfit ponies especially as you are learning and need something to suit your ability as it develops. Maybe I misread this I got the idea it was the reverse idea of painting a pony and an adult supervising how to care for a pony. My dd attended one of these at RDA. She learnt lots of really good stuff. No of the girls were ever on their own with the ponies and they all took it terribley seriously. I think if that was the vibe and the pony enjoys people it’s a reasonable idea. I have seen so many people over the years buy ponies and then be shocked by the amount of work they take. If it discourages that then it’s a good thing. Just look into the insurances and I don’t know about your yard but on ours there is always someone around to help so ask one of them to be with you if you do do one for support. I think where you may have gone wrong on this thread and attracted some fairly unpleasant comments is calling it ‘party’. As another poster said it’s more of a workshop idea, delivering education rather than cake and noise. At the end of the day you know your pony and if there were 4 children and 2 adults you will be able to monitor what’s happening. Our yard owners would allow this, people have done not this exact idea but variations in the past but just check with your yard owner as you would need their consent.

My local riding school do this and I would happily let my kids go. Hope you find a way to keep your pony.

I personally thing if the animal is HAPPY and being cared for what is the harm, if you are Vegan i respect those views.
Obviously you need to have the correct insurance etc