• Pre-booking is essential so please go to our online booking system to reserve a space. All forward bookings require full card payment at the time of booking.
• Cancellation Policy - 48 HOURS NOTICE must be given for cancellations or postponement or the full cost of the session will be forfeited. Bookings can be amended or cancelled by the customer via our EC Pro system. If 48 hours notice is given your account will be credited and you will be able to re-schedule within 3 months however no refunds will be made (this applies to all bookings and activities and you will receive a notification) this helps to avoid excessive alterations, missed lessons and disappointments. Thank you in advance for your co-operation in this matter. We would suggest booking well ahead if you require a specific date or time.
• Party cancellation (Mini party and Away parties). Once a party booking is made the date cannot be changed within 2 weeks of the party-taking place except at our discretion in exceptional circumstances and subject to availability. We will only cancel your party or event in exceptional circumstances beyond our control, if this happens you will be contacted and offered an alternative date, however in extreme weather conditions when it becomes unsafe or not practical to ride or travel with the ponies an alternative date can be agreed upon. We find that ponies and children don’t mind a little bit of rain if dressed appropriately. This does not apply to our half hour Birthday experience or Groom N Ride package, we require a minimum of 48hrs notice to cancel or re-schedule or the fee will be forfeited. If 48hrs notice is given we will be happy to re-schedule within 3 months but no refunds will be made. If your booking has been cancelled due to the Covid 19 crisis your Pony Magic account will be credited to allow you re-schedule when restrictions ease.
• We aim to provide a safe and fun introduction to riding and ponies for younger children however it should be understood that riding is a “risk sport”. Although our horses and ponies are generally good natured and well trained they are still “flight animals” which means they can be startled by loud noises or sudden movement so we ask that you follow our instructions and approach the ponies quietly from where they can see you.
• Children should be closely supervised by parents at all times around the ponies and the stable yard where big horses and vehicles can be moving around.
• If your child is attending a party (or other siblings) at our stables in Curdridge we ask please that children remain in the party area and immediate vicinity and do not enter the stable yard/paddocks or other areas without permission /supervision.
• Our ponies do love treats such as apples and carrots but please do not feed them unsupervised, do bring treats along if you wish but we will generally give them to the ponies at the end of the day when they have finished working.
• It is essential that appropriate clothing be worn while riding for comfort and safety. Riding boots are ideal however any boots that offer some protection around the ankle with a flat sole and small heel will be ok. The foot should be fully covered and unlikely to fall off, so that means no crocs, sandals or flip-flops! Wellies are often perfectly ok. Children should also wear trousers they can move freely in. It is advisable for parents to wear appropriate footwear as well as we will be asking you to come along with your children and we will be going off road, conditions can get a little muddy!
• It is essential for all riders to wear a well fitting hat conforming to current safety standards and we have a selection available to borrow free of charge however we strongly recommend purchasing a hat for children that ride regularly. The British Horse Society recognised standards are PAS015, ASTM F1153, BSEN1384 and SNELL E2001. Please ask if you are unsure, we will be happy to help! We sell Uvex lightweight adjustable hats in our shop or please ask for details.
• We are happy to travel within a 15 mile radius of our base in Curdridge, Hampshire, however outside of this area an additional cost will be incurred to cover extra time and diesel. Occasionally we may encounter traffic problems but will make up the time if running late.
• Please ensure adequate adult supervision for children at parties, we will supervise children riding or handling the ponies but younger and less confident children will need to be held whilst on the pony. It is also wise to check with parents that children do not have allergies to ponies and they are
happy for them to ride.
• Our ponies are quiet and well trained however they can be sensitive to and frightened by distractions such as loose dogs and bouncy castles! Please bear this in mind when booking your party, we will be happy to advise. We aim to provide a safe and fun introduction to riding and ponies for younger children however it should be understood that riding is a “risk sport”.
• In wet weather we cannot guarantee that our ponies will not leave footprints on your grassed area, they do not wear shoes to keep damage to a minimum. Permission must be gained for use of any public areas such as parks or village hall land and details provided to us in advance.
• We ask that our instructions and guidelines for behaviour when handling or riding the ponies are followed for the safety of the children and welfare of the ponies, we reserve the right to leave a party or ask visitors to leave our stables if anyone becomes abusive to our ponies or Pony Magic staff.
