Here are some of our more frequent questions.  Please feel free to contact us if your question is not answered below

This is a party for a one-year old?  Is that old enough?

 
Any child that can sit up unassisted is old enough to ride a pony. A baby's first birthday is an ideal time to celebrate - they often will suddenly start talking that day, if only to say a word they have made up for 'pony'.  

I'd like to have the carriage package - how do I know if I have enough room?

While pony rides can be given in just about any amount of space, the carriage does require a quiet subdivision or roads with good sight lines and posted speeds under 40 mph. and with relatively gentle grades.  If you have an acre or more, and the footing is firm and the terrain fairly level we can drive in your yard.  The carriage is 48 inches wide and holds approximately 6 small children at a time in the wagonnette seats in the back, depending upon depth of footing and the hills

What about the weather?

Children who want a pony party are never going to be deterred by a little drizzle and we have rain gear, however, we are happy to offer face painting services in lieu of the pony party in case of inclement weather cancellations.  Transportation surcharges will still apply should you elect to have the face painting and/or craft table - your deposit will be applied to that service. Please see our Policy Page for more details.

What will I need to provide?

Please supply approximately 50 feet of parking space by blocking it off ahead of time.  The ponies come off on a ramp from the back of the trailer, and I access my equipment from a curbside ramp.

  For carriage parties, we require that each child come to the party with a well-fitting bicycle or other all-purpose sport helmet.  Please have your dogs crated or otherwise  enclosed for their protection.  Other than that, a bag of carrots and a few pieces of cake as the ponies depart are always appreciated!

Do you provide supervision?

Each child will have a different reaction to the animals.  Our goal is to provide every guest with the best possible experience as they ride the pony - at times this may take all of our attention.  We expect that, as hosts, you will assist us in our mission by keeping active ball play, loud noises and unsupervised toddlers to a minimum. 

What is the etiquette?  How do I prepare the children?

To maximize the pleasure you have during your event, you can tell your guests that the ponies will be happier without loud noises, sudden movements and that if you put your fingers in the pony's mouths, they can't really tell fingers are not food. Proper footwear is a MUST.  Bare feet are a no-no, especially when standing on pavement.  On the positive side - these ponies weigh under 400 lbs each and are unlikely to injure to properly-clad feet.  

Our ponies have these jobs because of their patience and love of their work, and this is reflected in their somewhat un-ponylike behavior.  Please do not be unduly alarmed if the children walk behind the ponies despite your instructions - my ponies are not kickers and do not startle easily. 

Can we feed the ponies?

Children can hand-feed larger carrots, allowing the ponies to break them off from the whole. The ponies can drink from cups etc. and in fact, believe they are the guests of honor. They do not have access to pasture at home and will be very interested in trimming your lawn.  They also expect a bit of birthday cake for their send-off.  You'll love the squeals of delight from your children as they watch nimble lips cleaning the trailer door edge for the last bit of cake icing.

Do you conform to health regulations?

The ponies have all the standard inoculations, worming and dental care.  They are our former show ponies and are now treasured family pets.  They enjoy traveling and working.

The USDA does not have jurisdiction over pony ride businesses as they do with petting zoos so no licensing is required.  Horses and ponies do not transmit diseases to humans such as e.coli, salmonella or botulism - so stash the hand sanitizer, relax and enjoy! 

Why is there a whip in the carriage?

The whip is used for communication with the ponies.  It performs the same function your legs would do, were you riding.  It encourages them to go forward - often one pony works harder than the other and this must be corrected - and it keeps them from backing up when that would be hazardous.  It  can also, if the need arises, be used to repel dogs, automobiles and rambunctious teens.  Because of their circus training background, the ponies are sensitive to misuse of the whip  - please do not allow the children to play with the whip.  It is fragile and can cause injury.

Our ponies are trained to walk ahead while we are at their side, allowing us to grasp your child firmly at all times he or she is mounted.  You are welcome to walk alongside as the situation warrants.  Helmets for riding are unnecessary.

For the carriage rides, we expect all participants to wear helmets that fit, just as you would riding a bicycle, scooter or skateboard.  The ponies know their job, are considered "road safe" and the uncertainties should be limited to those you would encounter on a bicycle in the same venue.

What about the mess?

Our ponies have somewhere along the way potty-trained themselves to not 'poo' on the job up to an hour or so and we may put them on the trailer for a potty-break if your party is a longer sort. Should they resort to such we will certainly remove it - to your garden if you prefer.   They do however, often 'tinkle' after they exit the trailer...the small children, with their lower vantage points, find this fascinating.     Both ponies are geldings, which means that they are males that are 'fixed', so be prepared for questions!   In summertime you may want a hose handy, if it would increase your comfort level - pony urine can 'burn' your lawn.

I've put off making arrangements and now my day has been taken!  Can you come later in the evening?

We can outfit the carriage with twinkle lights and flashers for twilight parties.  The ponies are just as happy to entertain you under your floodlights - something to think about on those hot summer days.

We're going to have a moon bounce - is that a problem?

No, not at all.  In fact many times we are not the only attraction!  There are a few common-sense considerations:  No balloon art around the ponies.  No fireworks or firecrackers.  Billy objects to amplified music, so if you will have that at your party, please let me know in advance and be aware that the pony rides will have to be somewhat out of range of the music.

Can we offer you a glass of wine?

Most often our clients are entertaining more than children on the day of the party.  Sometimes the adults are just as interested as the kids!  Please keep an eye on your guests, especially those to whom English is a second language.  It is imperative that your guests understand and respect the 'personal space' the ponies require.  Alcohol can release inhibitions regarding all sorts of behavior, including interaction with animals.  At our discretion we may have to leave the party early if we feel the guests are endangering the safety of the children or ponies through inappropriate behavior. 

It's winter - is it worth having ponies?

The twin adrenaline pumps of a party and ponies is enough to warm the tiniest toddler.  So long as it isn't excessively windy, your children will enjoy the novelty of our two fur-balls.  A carriage ride can however be brisk - for this we have assembled a collection of vintage furs to warm those little princesses!

What ARE Ponies?

There is no such thing as a stupid question!  Ponies are horses and are the same species.  Strictly speaking, a pony is a horse of a certain small size, 58" or less when measured at the top of the shoulder.  People who love them know that ponies tend to have a particularly charming character that is subdued or lacking in their larger brethren.   Just as a small terrier seems to have more 'personality' than say, a Mastiff, so do the ponies act more expressively on the whole.

Our ponies are named Billy the Kid (he's the one with the blue eye) and Jesse James (he looks like a girl - but he's all boy). They are what I describe as "Mid-Atlantic Shetlands" - mostly Hackney pony, with some Shetland thrown in for size.  They are most probably full brothers, although their exact provenance remains a mystery. Like most brothers, they sometimes disagree...but are in the end, inseparable.

Still have questions? Please contact us anytime! We look forward to hearing from you.