What is Pony & Pals Club?
(Continue below the photo gallery for more information)
Our Pony & Pals club is for children in the 4 – 6 year old age range. The purpose of this class is to give kids a safe introduction to equestrian activities using play and guided coaching.
We know children in this age group naturally have short attention spans as well as ‘wandering’ tendencies. No worries with this class! We keep a simple structure with this group;
- Time for grooming the pony (trying the different brushes and combs) and reviewing basic safety rules.
- Group effort in getting the equipment out of the tack room and putting it on the pony, gently repeating the names of items and the tasks each class meeting.
- Riding time! Each child gets 3 laps around the indoor arena to practice that day’s lesson activity (for example having kids raise their hand over their head for the count of 3, or dropping a ball into a bucket).
- While each child rides the other children will have time to socialize while dong an easy group activity (a coloring page, easy craft, practice time on our riding simulator, “Stickley”, or helping with the larger group activity out in the arena). Kids can also take this time to sit with their parent to reconnect.
- Group participation to take the equipment off the pony and put things away.
- Time to groom the pony again after the ride and reviewing basic safety rules.
We also have special or seasonal classes like “paint a pony”, “pony jewelry box” , a larger craft project or a group game involving the pony (see photo in gallery). These classes may have limited or no riding.
PROGRAM & CLASS STRUCTURE
The Pony & Pals Club classes depends on parents to play a supportive role in general behavior (behavior similar to being in pre-school, stores, or at a guests house for example) and safety (similar to on the playground). For class of 3-4 there will be two instructors, for classes of 2 there will be one instructor. Kids may also appreciate their guardian walking with them the first dozen times on the pony, and we welcome that!
Number of Students – The class is open to a maximum of 4 kids.
Class length is:
- 4 students = 1 hour
- 3 students = 50 minutes
- 2 students = 40 minutes
ENROLLMENT , CANCELATIONS, PRICING
Enrolling – Please contact us via our website or our Facebook Page directly so that we can get you to sign all the necessary paperwork. There is a $10 administration sign-up fee. This fee may have to be paid again if a student is absent from the program for longer than 6 weeks.
Price – $30.00 per student, per class session. Signing up for class is automated on our website, with payment processing done through PayPal (you do not need a PayPal account, you can use a debit or credit card). Classes are pre-paid for by signing up on the website.
Student Absences – Once the RSVP & payment have been made there is “no cancelation or rescheduling” policy. If there is another class in the week that still has openings we can attempt to reschedule, but please don’t view that as normal policy. ♥ If you can not make the class please view it as continuing to support this super program. ♥ Ponies still need food and health care, and it takes a lot of resources to keep them available for the program.
*Buying The Entire Month Block – You can buy all classes in the month for your preferred day and time slot, however please understand that we do not offer refunds, and can’t promise that we have openings on other days/times to move you to easily. While you can make the request, please don’t have this expectation because the other classes may be full. There is not a discount for buying the block of lessons for the month, just the convenience knowing that you can have the day and time that works for you.
Booking classes is available 28 days into the future.
Program Cancelation- We have an indoor riding arena so we give lessons year round, unless the weather will be extreme. However, because we are a family run business there may be times we have to cancel a class. If the farm cancels we will issue refunds or credit you for the next possible class.
We may also schedule time off for vacations. But we’ll be back! 🙂
REQUIREMENTS
Head Gear – Students need a properly fitting helmet. Because we know the investment in an equestrian helmet might be cost prohibitive while your child is trying equestrian activities, either a current standard equestrian helmet (ASTM-SEI) or a well fitting bicycle helmet will be allowed. Sometimes Tractor Supply stores have a small inventory of certified horse riding helmets.
We highly recommend kids wear long pants on riding days. It doesn’t take long for the sand in our arena to stick to children’s skin and that will create a painful situation once they sit on the leather saddle. Pants that allow them to move will be greatly appreciated. For girls leggings work good, for boys and girls jeans made of stretch denim work great, and for boys cargo type pants or sweat pants work well.
Closed shoes are a must for protection if stepped on. Boots are not necessary, and fashion boots not meant for outdoor activities (especially with a ‘high heel’ or a zipper on the inside of the calves) or stiff work type rubber boots seem to hinder kids more than help them. Hiking boots with overly large treads on the soles are also not productive. A sturdy, completely closed shoe that you’d send your child out on the playground in will work just fine. Socks that cover the ankles, or can be pulled up over the calves, will help them from getting saddle sores.
Other clothing can be worn depending on the season, but plan on clothing getting dirty. Ponies are dirty.
Kids should be healthy and clear to participate in sports.
Due to our pony’s small size kids in this age group can not exceed 50 pounds.
We are not capable of teaching equine activities for those who have physical or mental impairments (we are not certified or educated).
Siblings
Both of the program instructors are parents, so we understand having to occasionally bring a sibling along. However, horses and ponies can become easily distracted, overstimulated or spooked by chaotic groups of people. Please consider leaving young siblings at home, or limit the number of young siblings you bring, especially if your little equestrian needs your support during class.
FACILITY
We have a lovely indoor arena that is comfortable in most weather. In the summer we have large ceiling fans, and the winter we do have the ability to close the building up and heat that can keep the building at 50 degrees.
We have nice seating for parents to either co-mingle or sit by themselves to read or take a mental break.
Current class offerings are:
- Please contact us for future group classes.
Enrolling – Please contact us via our website or our Facebook Page directly so that we can provide all the necessary paperwork. There is a $10 administration sign-up fee.. This fee may have to be paid again if a student is absent from the program for longer than 6 weeks.