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

How much room do I need to have a party?

All you really need to do is provide parking area - the rest is easy.  We prefer to work in front of your house.  Sidewalks and cul de sacs are great for pony rides - kids LOVE showing off 'their' pony to their neighbors.  A special treat can be an extra-long birthday ride through the neighborhood for the guest of honor, time allowing.

Horse use on public streets is COMPLETELY protected under the law by lots of lovely, archaic laws that have never been taken off the books since horses stopped being our primary method of transportation.  You do not need permission from your Homeowner's association.

Our service area is so large we do not have a list of parks that allow ponies, and policies vary widely between different municipalities.  However, we have found that if you are in an urban area it is worth contacting your local community center or church.  If you are convenient to Howard County, the Schooley Mill facility and the Greater Western Regional parks both allow horses.

The client is responsible for securing any and all permissions for our services.  Fees will be due in full regardless.

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

A child's first birthday is a milestone in many cultures, and often the reason for a huge family celebration. 

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'.  One year olds are remarkable unafraid.  And the pictures are priceless.

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.  Please see our Policy Page for more details.

What will I need to provide?

Please supply:

• approximately 50 feet of parking space alongside your front yard by blocking it off ahead of time.  The ponies come off on a ramp from the back of the trailer, equipment is accessed from a curbside ramp. We need to be on the right side of the road, as you see here. We prefer to work as pictured here, in your front yard or cul de sac, so that the second pony can be tied safely and children supervised around him. If the side ramp area is clear we unload our beautiful carriage as a photo prop and, weather permitting, my face painting station.

• We have a low hitch and need a non-hilly place to turn around, or an exit route out of your neighborhood.
• Adequate adult supervision - all toddlers must be held by the hand while standing near the ponies.  We will expect adults at the party to stay close to the ponies while the children are interacting with them.

•  Please have your dogs crated or otherwise enclosed for their protection. If there are dangerous or distracting dogs in the neighborhood, please consider contacting your neighbors in advance.  If the handler feels the ponies are threatened she can elect to leave the party site with no refund.

Other than that, a bag of carrots and a few pieces of cake as the ponies depart are always appreciated! Our ponies loooove birthday cake, and the children love the spectacle of ponies gobbling messy icing and cake.

Do you provide supervision?

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 ballons and active ball play in a different area of the yard, and loud noises and unsupervised toddlers to a minimum. Toddlers must be held by the hand while around the ponies.  Adults are expected to be interactive at our parties. 

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 sudden movements and that if you put your fingers in the pony's mouths, they can't really tell fingers from food. Ponies are fine with loud noises, but cannot tolerate objects swinging around them or hitting them or balloon bursts or being squirted by water guns (yes I have dealt with all of this!).  Children may not run after the pony while it is giving rides.  Proper footwear is a MUST.  Bare feet are a no-no while grooming the ponies, especially when standing on pavement.  

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?

Can we decorate the ponies?

Of course!  We have a variety of beribboned flowers and bows that can be pinned on the ponies, at enough pony brushes for all the children to have one.

Do you conform to health regulations?

The ponies have all the standard inoculations (including rabies), worming, foot and dental care.  They are our show ponies and our treasured family members.  They enjoy traveling and working. We do carry insurance.

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! 

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, but please do not allow the child to hold onto anything but the saddle horn.  Helmets for riding are unnecessary.

What about the mess?

Generally the ponies 'hold it' for the trailer ride, but if they should slip, we have rakes, forks and brooms to pick up after them.Horse manure is great for the garden - some folks beg us to leave it for them - that is entirely up to you.  Horses do not carry diseases contagious to humans, so their manure or its residue is not a danger in any way. 

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

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 waterguns, no riding toys, or ball playing around the ponies.  No fireworks or firecrackers at the party, at all.  Ponies object 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.  

What ARE Ponies?

There is no such thing as a stupid question!  Ponies are horses and are the same species.  All ponies are horses...but not all horses are ponies! 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.

We currently have three ponies

 Fine Print

What is a deposit?  

Your deposit is legally considered a "booking fee".  It reserves you your time, and is non-refundable as it is necessary to cover the enormous overhead our business generates.  The deposit you put down gets subtracted from your total (party plus transportation), to give you your "balance due". 

Should the client exhibit uncivil behavior before their party, whether over the phone or in writing - which would include the use of profanity, threats, insults to character etc - their deposit may be forfeited. 

Tsk tsk tsk

Although we understand that sometimes, in the pursuit of the "perfect party", tensions can rise at times - Miss Angela expects all persons involved in your party to be on their very best behavior. 

If we (whether it be myself, my children or anyone else in my temporary employ) are verbally assaulted, groped, or threatened while at your party and before payment is made, we will leave your party immediately. A theft of service report if payment is not made in full on the spot.  Threats of libel and character assassination will be treated seriously and legally.

If we should not be able to provide a service for whatever reason, our obligation only goes so far as a returned deposit at our discretion.

Contracts?

We do not do contracts at this time.  Your booking fee is considered the contractual element that binds you to the policies and responsibilities as laid out herein this website.  We would be happy to email you an invoice or add you as an additional insured, should you require it.

Ready to Book your Party? Click here

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

Copyright 2008  All rights reserved.

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