Are you interested in operating your own
PAL Around Pony School?
The PAL Around Pony School Operating Guide and Curriculum will be available for sale in January, 2025. Anyone who purchases the curriculum will become a Pony School Member Instructor, will be included on this website, and will simply pay a small yearly licensing fee. This is a great way to supplement your lesson income, as Pony School can easily be offered during the school day when your older students are unavailable. It also creates a steady stream of lesson clients as children "graduate" from Pony School and continue into regular riding lessons. It is super easy to teach, and requires only one small, well-behaved pony and a small space (preferably indoor arena) for children to sit and play. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the program or are interested in bringing it to your facility!
Here are some additional questions you may want to ask yourself before getting started with Pony School:
1. Is there a market in my area for this program? If you live in an area that does not attract many young families, you may not have enough interested students. If your school system is overflowing, there are preschools on every corner, and the most popular spot in town is the jungle gym at Chick Fil-A, you are probably pretty safe!
2. Do I have access to a safe, small pony? The pony that you use must be between 9-11 hands (10h is IDEAL) and bomb-proof as a pony can be. It should be sound, healthy, and strong enough to carry a hefty 5 year old (as much as 50-60 pounds!). It also helps if the pony is accustomed to flash photography.
3. Do I have access to a facility with an indoor area? This is not essential but will help you to avoid canceling classes due to weather conditions.
4. Do I have time to field numerous phone calls and emails? You can count on needing 1-2 hours per week just for these tasks.
5. Do I have sufficient knowledge about horses and experience with small children? Knowledge of and experience with both is essential to operating Pony School! Instructors should be also capable of teaching the basics of both English and Western horsemanship.
6. Am I comfortable at the thought of parents watching me “perform” in front of their children? You don’t have to have a great singing voice or acting skills, but you are essentially entertaining children. (And yes, singing is required!)
7. Will I be able to help lift small children (usually 30-50lbs) onto the pony?
8. Will I be able to walk with the pony, watch the child on the pony, and give simple directions at the same time?
9. Am I patient and do I have a sense of humor? You’ll need both!
10. Does PAL Around Pony School sound fun?
11. Can you see yourself spending several hours each week presenting the program...and really enjoying it?
If you answered yes to these questions, please complete the following Instructor Interest Form and more details (including the price) will be emailed to you.