Real party ponies

[juliebk]

I'm starting up a party pony business in Scotland.The premise being I bring small pony to your child's party to ride,groom and play with. Prices would start from £140. I'm aiming for the 5-10 year olds. I'd appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

That's a lot of money. Riding schools are doing a ride in the woods for birthday child and friends for about £10 each child.
Will you take the poo with you?

I like the idea but I'm not sure the price balances with the number of kids it will keep entertained. I'd be worrried that with even a medium number of kids (eg 8) they'll spend too much time waiting to take turns. for that price I'd pretty much want 2 hours (or maybe 90 minutes) of full on solid entertainment for at least 10 kids, iyswim. and unless the horse came with a fantastic entertainer type who would organise some games, maybe do some tricks, I'd be a bit sceptical as to whether the horse alone could keep them entertained.

good basic idea but possibly needs a bit or work. which, I guess is what you're doing by gauging reaction on here.

yes, I just thought that too DOG. would need patient pony and patient kids.

god the poor ponies....have you ever seen a group of 25 8 year olds?

Gosh, thanks. It was my first time on Mumsnet and never expected such a speedy response!
Yes, my main concern would be to keep the kids not riding occupied too. I've done pony rides at gala days and the kids are quite happy to queue and wait patiently for a ride.I was going to provide horsey colouring books to keep them occupied in my basic price. I have been able to get real horseshoes for the kids to decorate, but that would be at an additional cost.
Cost-wise other pony parties range from £140 to £245! My local riding school do parties at £15 per child with a minimum of 10 needed.
I was a horse-mad child and I would have loved to have had a pony at my house for a party. I know times have changed, but little girls still love ponies!
I do understand that it is still a lot of money, but it is different and hopefully a bit special.
I have the insurance in hand. Yes people need to be sensible about access to gardens. Yes I know ponies are real! Yes I will clear away droppings(you can't catch e-coli etc from ponies or their poo). My ponies are quiet and good with children(my kids learnt to ride on them)Going to limit parties to 12 guests(25 at any home party sounds horrendous)
Any more suggestions please. Anyone in Scotland?

we have pony parties, but obviously one pony per child and one person per child who needs leading - everyone has a great time, a short ride out, a mini gymkhana and the minor trauma of my horse stealing some of the party food

you know your own ponies but agree is asking a lot to expect it to cope with so many children at once - however your option is much cheaper than what we do and could be really nice for children who don't otherwise have access to ponies?

I have a 7 year old child (and am based in central Scotland) but although she would like a"pony party" what we would excpect is for her and all her friends to be riding ponies at teh same time! I know there is a place near us that does this and am considering it for her next birthday. I honestly don't think bringing 1 pony to our garden would keep a crowd of 7-8 year old girls happy for long! Sorry.

Thing is, those local riding schools that charge per head - they get a pony each.
For me, if I was going to spend a couple of hundred pounds on a party - once there's food and entertainment (maybe bouncy castle?) - as I'm not that excited by a queuing and colouring party. I'm not sure for that kind of money.
I'm not convinced on the price, but if you know there are people making a success of it with those prices then there must be people out there prepared to pay it.
If you've got the insurance in place already you might as well go ahead and see how you get on.

(I know you don't get e-coli from pony poo - my veg is growing in it. I just thought your customers might not want it left on their patio).

MiffyWhinge- what do you charge for your parties and how popular are they? I'm not interested in competing with a riding school set up. My ponies are small- shetland and Welsh A, so the kids wont feel intimidated by them. most riding schools don't have very small ponies as it is difficult to school them.
From all I've heard on this forum I think I'll take 2 ponies. It wont cost me much more in fuel, only for employing a helper.
DOG- Ponies wont be tied up,but hand-held. My little ponies don't have shoes on and I think common sense would state if you're that precious about your lawn you wont want ponies on it! I hired quad bikes one year- what a mess that left- and after one shot, all the kids started playing on the existing climbing frame,until the ponies were brought out to ride!
I agree badges are a good idea for marketing and as a gift.I'm also looking into handing out rosettes. Do you think educational stuff would go down well at a party. I thought about teaching them simple things like points of a horse, parts of the bridle, colours etc and doing a quiz at the end. Just don't want a load of blank faces looking back at me!
Haggisaggis-have you ever held a party at home or do you usually go to a venue? My thinking behind doing partyponies is the unique memory of having a pony in your garden.I would bring ribbons for them to plait into the ponies manes and tails and glittery hoofoil for the feet-a pony makeover!. I also have an idea to include traditional party games with a pony twist. Basically i want to do something quite memorable. From a business point of view I want to have a basic price which makes partyponies accessible to everyone and also offer value add ons to enhance the experience. Ponies can't be deflated at the end of a party and put away in a cupboard until the next time, they are a 365 day, 24/7 eating, pooing, time/cash consuming joy

Paisleyleaf- okay understand where you're coming from. Would you pay around £250 for 1 1/2 hr party to include 2 ponies for riding, grooming and a pony makeover with ribbons, glitter etc, horseshoe# decorating for those waiting to ride, a gazebo with straw bales to sit on, while you decorate/wait,traditional party games with a pony twist and a pony birthday cake.
#these looking really good and can be hung on a bedroom door with childs name on it.wrapped in ribbons in football colours as a goodluck emblem, covered in glitter,platic jewels etc. I can go high end if thats what people want.

I don't deliver the parties but have them for my daughter (that's what she seems to want year in year out), it was about £30 a head last year (not including the catering) - luckily no shortage of little ponies at our yard. You have prompted me to book again as birthday is in May.

Anything that involves glittery hoof oil gets my vote though! Think that would go down well with my daughter and her friends. Your parties do sound more fun and suitable for smaller children or those who haven't ridden before? As long as they have a reasonably sized garden of course, it would definitely be a fun alternative to bouncy castles and the like.

A shetland pony makeover with ribbons and glitter, straw bales, games, horseshoe decorating etc as well as the ride does sound great juliebk. I know my DD would be thrilled!
I know it costs more than the earlier idea - but it does seem more value, and special. More is taken care of re entertainment as well as something for the children to take home.