Pony ride

Safety is a paramount concern and insurance companies consider pony rides to be a high-risk activity.

[3] Weight, not age, usually limits the biggest riders, but some programs require participants to be no older than 12.

[3] Pony ride operators are generally advised to carry liability insurance and to hire staff who are experienced with horses.

That said, where a second person is used as a "spotter" to help balance the child, a parent can fill that role, so long нТзД as they are healthy enough to keep up with the pony and able to remain calm around the animal.

Safety studies conducted in 1999 led to recommendations that children not be belted onto ponies in any setting.

[2] Settings with permanent pony rides that put up wooden fences need rails or planks to be placed on the inside of the fenceposts so that children do not hit their legs and feet on the posts.

Hand-led rides can be held in an area about 40 by 80 feet (12 m × 24 m), which is large enough to move around, but confines the pony in case of problems.

[9] The Act requires that animals have "adequate housing, sanitation, nutrition, water and veterinary care, and ... [protection] from extreme weather and temperatures.

While horse and pony rides can sometimes be exempt,[11] because equines are "farm animals" under 9 CFR §1.1, and exhibitors at fairs and horse shows do not fall within the regulatory definitions,[12] if they are part of a petting zoo or carnival, they fall under the statute.

[9] Care for working ponies includes using fly spray in the summer and providing regular access to water.

[7] There should be good footing for the ponies, such as sand or shavings brought in to put on top of pavement, but a clay lot or grassy area can also be used.

[3] Some animal rights advocates oppose pony rides, suggesting that a merry-go-round is an acceptable substitute.