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	Pony Welfare Are Zoo Ponies Retired Fairly?

Background
The Woodland Park Zoo pony program has been in existence since 1918 and has brought first hand animal experiences to thousands of Seattle children over the years. The program currently consists of a herd of 17 ponies. They are housed in a barn surrounded by open feed areas with shelters. They have access to pasture for limited grazing time each day. The main exercise area is covered in a natural substrate of sawdust and smaller woodchips. They are cared for by a professional staff that provides seven-day a week coverage. The main staff member has a background of extensive horse training and husbandry. The ponies receive regular veterinary care from the zoo’s two vets and many vet technicians. A farrier and a horse specialist provide regular services such as hoof trimming and teeth floating. All animals receive regular grooming, baths, hoof care and supplements based on individual needs. All ponies are trained throughout the week to provide reliable service and enhanced herd dynamics.

How the program operates.
The pony program operates from late spring through early fall on a seven day a week basis. Rides are provided to the zoo patrons from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily. Each pony is rested two to three days a week and each pony’s shift is limited to 2 hours per day. Riders are limited to children under 4 feet in height to address weight restrictions with the ponies. Each rider is provided with their own personal pony leader who escorts them around an enclosed ring while they learn about the pony’s background and personality. The staff supervisor assesses pony temperament and physical condition through out the shift in order to maintain the optimum experience for the children and the ponies. A trained staff member oversees the loading and unloading of the children from the loading platform. This staff member continues to monitor the rider and pony while the leader is preparing to disembark around the ring. They will also interact with the parents to receive any pertinent information that would be useful in enhancing the child’s experiences. The loading site provides signage that conveys guidelines and policies to the public that ensure a safe and positive experience for all involved. Once a pony’s shift is over, they are taken back to the barn for grooming and feeding before being turned out with the rest of the herd.

Teen program
The teen program provides the opportunity for young members of the community between the ages of 14 to 18 to get involved and learn about equine husbandry. The staff supervisor provides individual riding sessions on larger ponies throughout the summer. As the teens become more familiar with pony husbandry, the lessons help them reach a higher level of equestrian skill and knowledge. Each teen has a commitment to the program for providing care for the ponies as well as to participate in the riding ring’s operation on a weekly basis. Each teen is required to go through a multiple step training program that provides them with common sense, safety, leadership and communication skills that carry over to other areas in their lives.

Needs
The pony program retires ponies that have been assessed as to no longer be able to provide rider ship on a consistent basis. The criteria for retirement are generally based on age, physical condition or appropriate temperament. From time to time, it is our obligation to seek out suitable homes for the ponies that have provided years of quality service. These ponies generally have a calm demeanor and make excellent companion animals for people and their existing animals. Our facility has limited space and as new ponies are acquired to support existing programs, we consider placing ponies with families that appreciate their life experience. Our standards and guidelines for placement have been established to assure a continuance of the level of specialized and quality care that the ponies have received throughout their years of service in the pony program. These ponies are donated to suitable homes approved through mutual agreement.
Major topics of assessment for appropriate placement homes are not limited to but include the following: Adequate shelter; Social interaction (all ponies are used to a herd environment and daily human contact); Proper nutritional care; Medical support; Regular husbandry care; Owner experience; Ability to provide long-term care.
Retiring ponies facilitates the need to acquire suitable ponies for the pony program. Ideal animals would be between the ages of 8 to 14 years of age in sound physical and behavioral condition. Preferred ponies have been trained under saddle and/or lead line conditions. Ponies incorporated into the program will be considered based on their ability to adapt to a herd environment and their temperament around children.

Currently we are looking to place the following ponies:

Smokey-14 year old welsh mix gelding. He is 10.2 hands in height with gray turned white coat. He is extremely social and good with children. He has significant signs of arthritis in his hocks and hip area and should not be considered for riding and is a companion animal only. He has slow progressing melanomas in his mouth that prevents him from wearing a bit. This pony is supplemented with MSM and equiflex.

Mouse-24 year old welsh/cob mare. She is 12 hands in height, a blood bay with 3 white socks and a star. She has a more timid demeanor but is gentle and good with children. She has a fractured back vertebrae from an old injury and should not be considered for riding and is a companion animal only. This pony is supplemented with MSM and equiflex.

Briana-26 year old POA/Quarter horse mix mare. She is 13 hands in height, a snowflake chestnut appaloosa. She is extremely docile and gentle and great with kids. She is extremely arthritic in her back, hips and hocks and should not be considered for riding and is a companion animal only. This pony is supplemented with MSM and equiflex.

Malibu-15 year old Thoroughbred/ Welsh mix mare. She is 13.3 hands in height, a flea bitten gray coat. She is a sensitive mare who requires experienced owners. She is reactive and requires steady, patient and consistent handling. She has foundered and currently has shoes and pads on her front feet and should not be considered for riding and is a companion animal only. This pony is supplemented with MSM and equiflex. She is also prescribed a daily dose of Bute. Her laminitis is not inflamed at this point and she is thriving on her regimen but is a companion animal only.

For more information about adopting a pony , please contact Stacey Cooper, Pony Program Director, at Stacey.Cooper@zoo.org