Our most popular pony party

Our most popular pony party is for 6-10 children aged between  4-8 (I can  create memorable parties  for 2-22 children and for ages 2-10)

 This is how one lovely lady described her visit in August 2013 which I think ‘says it all’!!

 'Landed safely back from pony land! Seriously it was like an enchanted dreamy wood today amongst a canopy of beautiful big trees pretty little ponies and beautiful princesses play. Thankyou for letting us to be part of a little piece of your wonderful world x x'

‘Amanda, the lovely lady who makes little people’s dreams come true!’

Emma, 20^th Aug 2013

 

 There are often squeals of delight as the children round the corner of the path and see the ponies for the first time!!!!

After  introductions (children and ponies!) short safety chat , quick overview for the parent and directions to the tea, coffee and biscuits (for the parents!) I bring one of the ponies out for the children to touch and feel.  The first part of the party is structured to ensure that all the children feel safe around the pony before they ride-especially important for my younger visitors.

They then go and choose a brush to groom the pony. I have a selection of brushes – different colours, types, sizes and shapes including butterfly and heart shaped brushes with handles specifically designed to be easy to use by younger children.

Then it’s ribbons time – I explain in language that the children can understand how to put the ribbons in the pony’s mane. For older children I show them how to plait the hair.
 
We have LOTS of different coloured ribbons, clips and sparkly bobbles for them to choose from! The children also place stickers all over the pony – something which is particularly popular with younger children!

 Once we’ve exhausted all the ribbons and stickers, usually after about half an hour,  it’s time for riding. The birthday child always goes first AND has an extra go at the end as it’s their special day!

 Usually whilst one child is riding another is helping us to lead the pony around the orchard.

 The remaining children have the option to do a variety of other activities whilst their waiting their turn. Older children enjoy decorating horse shoes with ribbons, paint pens and gems, or making pompom ponies, pre-schoolers have the option of pony colouring pictures or our pre-school outdoor ride on toys (choice is yours!)

We also have a hand painted pin the tail on the pony which is popular!!

 If your budget allows we can provide alternative craft activities and/or addional entertainment, eg age suitable fairground rides!!!

 If the party is with 6 children we usually have just enough time to either paint the pony (ages 6 up) or go into the paddock and stroke all the ponies.

The pony then returns to her friends in the paddock , the children wash their hands and have half an hour either in the orchard  in view of the ponies, or in our decorated party stable for party tea.

Total party time 2 hours.

 Our chit chat is relevant to the ages of the children – what works for 3 and 4 year olds is quite different to the things we talk about with 8 and 9 year olds!

 Your party can sometimes be themed – currently the children can dress the pony as a unicorn or a princess with the children coming dressed as princesses and kings and cowboys and Pocahontas. So far we humans have cowboy outfits and I’m sure we could stretch to princess outfits too!!!! You can always try me with your idea!!!!

 Your child receives a lovely birthday rosette on arrival and one of our luxury party bags at the end of the party.

To check if your preferred party date is available please complete the form below and I'll get back to you asap!

 

How I ended up with my first pony at the age of 10

My parents are not horsey AT ALL, but after me rocking my rocking horse all around the living room at the age of 5, my mother relented and took me for pony rides at the local pony centre.
By the age of 8 I was still bonkers about horses so my poor mum took me to a 'proper' registered riding school for proper lessons - she had to wait for me in the freezing cold!.

Each summer my brother, sisters and I used to spend a few days on our own with my grandparents over on the Wirral. Whilst I was there one summer, my grandmother took me on a visit to a distant relatives house, which happened to be next to a horse stud.

We got chatting to the owner who was telling us about a poor little foal who's mother had died of a bee sting when he was only 3 weeks old, and how she'd reared him on bottled milk. He was black with a white stripe along his back. Would you just know it she was looking to sell him.....

Well, I'm not sure how I persuaded my parents to take him on - he was still only 5 months when we got him - but foolishly they did!! A field and shelter had been arranged for him but at the last minute the farmer refused to take him as he was still so young (normally foals are only taken away from their mothers from around 6 months).

As he'd been hand reared 'Hunky' was a little 'weedy' bless him so he was really only like a big dog! In the end my parents created a stable in the garage and put a paddock on the garden (that's what you did in those days!!!!!). He stayed at home until he outgrew our facilities- at the age of 1

What fun we and our friends had - we took him on walks like a dog, dressed him up in all sorts and gave him lots of love and care.

It was obvious that Hunky was never going to be big enough for me to ride (he was a Welsh Mountain pony and would grow to around 44" to his shoulder) - so not long after we got Hunky my parents bought me a pony big enough for me to ride - Caprice - there's a WHOLE book could be written about Caprice!!!!!

Hunky was broken to riding and my sister rode him briefly. I broke him to driving when I was 17 and we had lots of fun driving around the countryside. Hunky remained with us until his late teens when he contracted a type of skin cancer and we had to take our very first dreadful decision to release him from his pain.

Demi, one of my current ponies is very much like Hunky!

I maintain that horses are in my genes- they must be as all my cousins on my father's side are potty about horses and are horse owners, as is one of my sisters! Apparently there's a distant relative that used to work on the racing yards - it's all his fault!!!!!

Not such a good day!!!

Many of you will know that my daughter and I each have a 'big' pony and each of us competes.

Well yesterday we took both ponies to a practise session jumping - my pony is fairly young, inexperienced and new to us (September) so a great opportunity for me to take him over a course of jumps with no competition pressure.

He (Merlin) has a big jump in him - I used to jump a reasonable size (3'3") but haven't really jumped in 15 years. Merlin jumps better over larger fences (over 2') - under that and he's more concerned with the scenery!!!

We started off OK in the 2' section - some looking at the scenery, some concentrating on the fences!!

We then set off in the 2'3" section. He was really focussed and was really popping over the fences. He soared over fence 3 but unfortunately he went left after the fence and I went right - I hit the ground fairly hard - oops!!! You don't bounce as well when you're older!!! I was too dazed to get back on and finish the round but we'll be back for more at the next session in January!!!!

School holiday pony fun for ages 2-10

Our tiny, gentle ponies are waiting to entertain your child-

Pony experience

A wonderful hour for between 1 and 3 children grooming, pampering and riding one pony. 

Book onto one of the scheduled times or request a time to suit you.

From £45
More details
Book here

90 minute kids holiday activity 

- a popular activity for between 5 and 8 children including grooming, pampering, riding plus another activity eg a wander around the orchard to look at the fruit trees, a pony quiz or mucking out the paddock!!!

THESE ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR UNDER 4s - on alternate weeks.

Book onto a scheduled times or gather a group for your own private session!

£17.50 per child

More details
Book here

 

3. Pony Agility

Coming VERY soon!!! Yes it's like dog agility only much slower!!!

This is a test of understanding and relationship between handler and pony and gets people thinking about how to interact with their pony to get the best out of them - some good life skills there too me thinks!!

Children will be taught how to handle a pony correctly and safely before attempting the course.

More details to follow shortly!!!

Maybe not suitable for tiny tots!!!

Whatever the reason for your visit to Cheshire Pony Parties you will be greeted with a warm welcome and receive personal attention.

You will then be blown away when you see our tiny, gentle ponies, happily grazing in our idyllic orchard setting.

You/your child will enjoy a very special time here, with the emphasis on fun and confidence-building. No prior experience of ponies is required.

Yes your child will groom, pamper, decorate and ride one or more of our ponies, but a visit here is so much more than that-

You will learn some fascinating facts about ponies (ask me about their ears!) and their behaviour, plus hear some personal pony tales.

Some visitors tour our orchard and learn about a few of the many trees and animals in and around the orchard.

No wonder little visitors want to come back every day, or that we have people visiting from as far away as London.

"Nobody does it like Cheshire Pony Parties does it."

Amanda Keech

Amanda Keech is an experienced owner of horses and ponies. She has owned, trained, competed and bred horses/ponies for over 20 years. She has experienced teaching her daughter to ride and how to be safe around ponies.

She is one of the first and longest established pony party providers in the UK. 

She holds the British Horse Society Stage 1 in Stable Management and is keen to understand more about improving our communication with equines to keep ourselves safe as well as have a better relationship with them, which may mean being able to catch a pony to improving our riding.

Amanda enjoys offering her ponies to delight visitors!

http://www.cheshireponyparties.co.uk/

Pony fun for 8-14 year olds

I don't just cater for 2-10 year olds -

Here are 3 things that Cheshire Pony Parties can delight 8-14 year olds with this summer:

1. Pony experiences

An hour's fun catching, grooming, plaiting manes then attempting our obstacle course OR having a go at 'driving' a pony (but without the carriage)  - this is quite a challenge, especially negotiating our trees!!!
For 1-3 children from £45
Find out more
Book here

2. Pony Club with Amanda

2 hour sessions providing a great introduction to being safe around ponies AND learning a little about their care. VERY hands on, no riding involved.
Perfect for anyone new to ponies plus
those who love ponies plus
those who perhaps are less confident riding but would love 'messing about' with ponies!
£22.50 per person per week (4 weeks with flexibility for hols!!)
Find out more
Book here

3. Pony Agility

Coming VERY soon!!! Yes it's like dog agility only much slower!!!
This is a test of understanding and relationship between handler and pony and gets people thinking about how to interact with their pony to get the best out of them - some good life skills there too me thinks!!
Children will be taught how to handle a pony correctly and safely before attempting the course.
More details to follow shortly!!!

Whatever the reason for your visit to Cheshire Pony Parties you will be greeted with a warm welcome and receive personal attention.

You will then be blown away when you see our tiny, gentle ponies, happily grazing in our idyllic orchard setting.

You/your child will enjoy a very special time here, with the emphasis on fun and confidence-building. No prior experience of ponies is required.

Yes your child will groom, pamper, decorate and ride one or more of our ponies, but a visit here is so much more than that-

You will learn some fascinating facts about ponies (ask me about their ears!) and their behaviour, plus hear some personal pony tales.

Some visitors tour our orchard and learn about a few of the many trees and animals in and around the orchard.

No wonder little visitors want to come back every day, or that we have people visiting from as far away as London.

"Nobody does it like Cheshire Pony Parties does it."

Amanda Keech

Amanda Keech is an experienced owner of horses and ponies. She has owned, trained, competed and bred horses/ponies for over 20 years. She has experienced teaching her daughter to ride and how to be safe around ponies.She is one of the first and longest established pony party providers in the UK. She holds the British Horse Society Stage 1 in Stable Management and is keen to understand more about improving our communication with equines to keep ourselves safe as well as have a better relationship with them, which may mean being able to catch a pony to improving our riding.
Amanda enjoys offering her ponies to delight visitors!
http://www.cheshireponyparties.co.uk/

Pony Club with Amanda

FUN FUN FUN guaranteed with Pony Club with Amanda -
4x    2 hour enjoyable sessions introducting how  to safely handle and care for horses and ponies

Perfect for

*  children who just loves ponies
*  children and adults who are new to pony ownership
*  children who go to riding school who'd like to understand more about ponies, their care       and safety around ponies.

The course is designed to provide an enjoyable introduction to safely handling and caring for horses and ponies.
Children will learn by doing. They’ll will;
*  understanding how to safely approach a pony,
*  catch and lead a pony safely,
*  groom using the correct brushes,
*  put rugs on safely
*  put the saddle and bridle on
*  make up pony feeds
*  check the fields for weeds and dangers


To ensure plenty of hands on learning there will be a maximum of 4 children to 1 pony with everyone having the opportunity to practise the excercises.

Numbers will be restricted to a maximum of 12 on each course.

They’ll understanding a bit more about how horses/ponies think to understand how to be safe around horses/ponies and improve their relationship with horses and ponies.

Want to grab a place now - click here


The course is led by Amanda who has over 20 years experience of looking after her own horses/ponies. She has trained, bred and competed horses and ponies for many years, holds the British Horse Society Stage 1 Certificate in Stable Management and is keen to understand how we humans can better 'connect' with our horses and thereby improve our relationship, whether that be being able to catch a pony in the field (!!) to acheiving better scores in ridden competition.

The course is appropriate for ages 8 and over including adults.

All activities will be ‘on the ground’ ie there will be no riding.

There is a choice of dates to avoid holiday clashes!

£22.50 per person per week, £20.50 per person per week for 2 people booked at the same time.

Click here to book one of the 12 available places

(If you are looking to buy a pony and would like a private session please get in touch (see the contacts page) and we can tailor a session or two to your particular needs!)

One VERY angry pony!

Well, Saturday was a bit of a worrying day - I'd found one of the ponies had dodged the electric fence and having 'stuffed' herself silly was waiting, asking to return to the starvation paddock!!
When I tried to let her back into the paddock one of the other ponies kept coming over, preventing the over-indulged pony from coming back in, which was a bit strange.
When I finally got the pony back into the paddock the other one started attacking her - she was chasing her round, biting her bottom.
Now you do sometimes see this when you introduce a new pony to the group and you sometimes see older ponies attack younger ones - they'll chase one til it's exhausted - I have once seen the after effects and it's just not pleasant.
I didn't have time to figure out WHY this was happening - I just HAD to get the pony that was being attacked OUT.
I grabbed a headcollar, jumped into the field at which point the attacker stopped - the worry is that the one being chased will do ANYTHING to get away - even go through a seemingly impenetrable hedge onto a road (my concern).
Anyway I soon got the headcollar on and moved the pony under attack to another paddock.
By this point we were running late for my daughters opticians appointment so we rushed over and 'did' the eye appointment which gave me time to think about why the attack might have happened - I've never seen these 2 ponies be aggressive in any way to each other so it was a bit odd.
I came to the conclusion that

• the attacker is the dominant female in that group and as such should 'lead' the group to food, water, out of danger etc
• the attacker didn't like the fact that the other pony had found some really delicious, long grass, as they were all supposed to be on a diet on my starvation paddock!
• because the escapee had found the grass, it was taken to be a sign of trying to take over as leader
• hence the attack

Well that's my verdict anyway!

So much for trying to keep them trim!

I have to say I'm now giving them a tiny morcel of hay morning and night, they're all in together, I have kept watch over them and 2 days later all is still calm.

My verdict - the starvation paddock was a bit too restricted for them and they may have been a TINY bit hungry but also they were bored - and what does boredom create - problems (just like in kids!).

Solution - give them something to occupy them and a TINY bit of food - ie hay - it just seems to be enough to keep them and their tummy's happy.

Anyone got any other ideas??