Pony Kindergarten

Just as early-year education is designed for children to be introduced to vital social and practical skills, I provide young ponies with a solid foundation on which future training in any discipline can be built. Daily routines provide natural opportunities for meaningful interaction. Feeding, grooming, and handling facilitates mutual trust and respect. Ponies are afforded the time to develop their unique characters, and gain curiosity and confidence in their tasks.

Challenges are introduced according to the readiness of each pony. Blanketing, bathing, clipping, and trailer loading, along with desensitization, tack/harness exposure, bit introduction, and long-reining. An appreciation for the individual, persistence and patience result in ponies who meet newness with curiosity, not fear.

Quarry Lane Stables kindergarten graduates are brave, kind, and keen on adventure.

Fees include:

• Hay and grain
• Small group turn out with other Kindergarten Ponies with spacious shelter.
• Box stall bedded with shavings or straw. Ponies live out as much as possible. However, each pony is assigned a stall for inclement weather, individual feeding needs and handling opportunities.
• Blanketing as needed
• Grooming
• Training (bathing, clipping, blanketing, halter and leading, trailer loading, trailering, harness/tack exposure, bit introduction, lunging, long reining...)
• Fecal assessments and deworming as required.
• Scheduling and handling for farrier and veterinary appointments.
  1. Routine trims every 8 weeks. More extensive or corrective shoeing programs not included in the program package.
  2. Off property 'field trips' are offered as part of the Pony Kindergarten program. Brief visits off site for trailering experience.
  3. Frequent photos and video updates on your pony's progress.

  
  Not included:

  1. The scheduling of routine and urgent veterinary care, including wound treatment is included in the program package. However, veterinary fees are not. Dr. Matt Nugent of Nugent Veterinary Services is the preferred provider of medical care at Quarry Lane Stables. An account must be made directly with his office.
  2. Welsh Pony shows, Sport Pony shows, and other formally organized breeding shows are not included in the program package, but participation can be arranged at the owner’s request for an agreed upon fee.
  3. All Kindergarten Ponies must be fully insured (death and major medical) for the duration of their stay at Quarry Lane Stables.