From the advertisements in my local what's on magazine, I have noticed an increasing number of adverts for pony parties for children. A quick google search confirmed this seems to be a growing trend. I've even seen a couple of children at the trekking centre for an hours ride as a birthday treat with their friends. It's certainly a welcome alternative to soft play parties which I am growing increasingly bored of.
Having researched this area a bit, a pony parties can vary enormously. Some are basically party packages at a local children's /city farm with party tea included and the option to pay extra for pony rides for all the guests, others are at a farm or centre where the party centres primarily around pony rides but offers a small animal petting zoo and/or pony games for the children. Others offer a service where providing you have a big enough garden or suitable space, they will bring the ponies and equipment to you, along with their handlers.
Things to consider when organising a pony party include:
Doing your own Pony Party
If your child loves ponies but this doesn't feel like the right option for you consider a pony themed party at home or in a church hall. Partyware such as plates, tableclothes etc with a horse theme is available from internet providers even if you can't find it in the local supermarket with the more popular themes. You can find lots of horse inspired art on the internet so making invitations yourself could be a fun cheap option to individualise your party. The walls could be decorated with posters of horses or horseshoe pictures. If you will be using the garden for your party or somewhere easily swept, you could even get some hay bales for the kids to sit on. Variations on this theme could include a western theme with cowboy outfits or a my little pony theme if you don't mind a more commercial take on things.
Horse themed cakes can be ordered from a local baker, made yourself (again the internet is full of inspiration) or if your child rides you could even use a photo of them with their favourite horse. These are available from most big supermarkets. You hand in your photo, (which is scanned into a computer), then the image is transferred onto the icing using food colouring. Make sure you use your own photo though because they won't let you use a photo that appears to be subject to copyright.
Activities could include pin the tail on the pony, some sort of craft activity drawing or decorating pictures of horses. or horseshoes, singing horsy nurery rhymes like "Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross". Keep an eye out for a horse shaped piñata as well. You could have pony themed prizes for games or even rosettes or little trophies for the winners. You could also set up a grooming area where the little girls get pony tails and elaborate plaits and ribbons just like their favourite pony rigged out for a show.
For older children, you could take a small group of them pony trekking or enquire about a shorter lead reined ride if they are not old enough for a proper trek.
Welcome any other ideas that anyone has tried. Lets hear your thoughts.
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Things to consider when organising a pony party include:
- Stating the obvious, I know but does your child like horses and ponies. What about their friends? You don't want a terrified birthday boy or girl in tears because they got scared of the ponies.
- How old are the birthday child and their guests? Some providers take children from the age of 3 upwards to about 10 but ages can vary according to individual providers so make sure you check!
- How many ponies will be available and how many rides will the children get?
- Can the children play with and groom the ponies too?
- How many guests will there be? Minimum numbers seem to start at about ten but they may have maximum numbers too.
- How much will it cost? Does that include pony rides, food, party bags, birthday cake, rosettes and so on. Check carefully as prices seem to start at about £100 for 10 children but what's included varies according to where you go.
- Is the operator fully licensed and insured?
- What other entertainment is provided for the children if only a couple can ride at a time?
- If food is not included is there somewhere suitable for a picnic or somewhere indoors to eat?
- What hand washing facilities are there? Essential if children are handling animals and then eating!
- Does the price include party bags, rosettes, birthday cake etc.
Doing your own Pony Party
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Horse themed cakes can be ordered from a local baker, made yourself (again the internet is full of inspiration) or if your child rides you could even use a photo of them with their favourite horse. These are available from most big supermarkets. You hand in your photo, (which is scanned into a computer), then the image is transferred onto the icing using food colouring. Make sure you use your own photo though because they won't let you use a photo that appears to be subject to copyright.
Activities could include pin the tail on the pony, some sort of craft activity drawing or decorating pictures of horses. or horseshoes, singing horsy nurery rhymes like "Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross". Keep an eye out for a horse shaped piñata as well. You could have pony themed prizes for games or even rosettes or little trophies for the winners. You could also set up a grooming area where the little girls get pony tails and elaborate plaits and ribbons just like their favourite pony rigged out for a show.
For older children, you could take a small group of them pony trekking or enquire about a shorter lead reined ride if they are not old enough for a proper trek.
Welcome any other ideas that anyone has tried. Lets hear your thoughts.
Really, who wouldn't want a pony party?!! It's great idea and a wonderful way to introduce children to horses. However, I would still question how the ponies are treated. I would check out the facility and see how the ponies are cared for; are they are kept in standing stalls all day when not being used (bad), how are they fed (hanging bag in the trailer?), how often are the ponies used (2 or 3 parties in a day?), what do they look like before the saddle goes on (saddles hide ribs)? I realize my focus is on the pony not the child, but children have parents to look out for them. In this situation, ponies are making money and as soon as money is involved there is the potential to misuse. OK, I will get off my soap box now. :-)
ReplyDeleteGood points Wolfie. Hadn't covered the pony welfare aspect of it in my blog as was looking at it from a parents perspective but very important. No child would want to think ponies were mistreated for them to have a party I am sure.
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