Training Shetland Ponies is a subject that lots of people ask us about. We need our ponies to be calm, quiet and reliable for young children to ride them, so it’s important that we understand them and train them to walk nicely.
Getting ready for riding
After their winter holidays we get our ponies and team back into training before the children come to ride them.
Intelligent Horsemanship
We use kind horse whispering principles from Intelligent Horsemanship and train our team to lead our ponies well. The ponies and team carry out a series of exercises to help the ponies walk nicely on the lead rein.
Pony parking
The ponies and team practice accuracy when being led by stopping precisely with their feet over poles. They also learn to walk into a pony parking space and reverse out. Some of our ponies can even stand on logs for fun.
Children’s learning activities
Our Shetland ponies love to be part of the activity at the Ranch, and enjoy having children learn to ride them around our meadows.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Shetland Pony Club this weekend as we open for our 2025 pony riding season.
You can experience a pony of your own, the easy way, with Pony Share Membership. Learn to ride, build a bond with your pony, come regularly to our club and enjoy pony fun in the countryside.
Gentle and fun, ideal for those little people age 3+. Enjoy pony dress up and learn to ride along a short trail with chocolate eggs to find in the countryside, followed by a rosette presentation. Each child will have their own pony and helper. The perfect tots treat at Easter for children aged 3 to 6 years old. 3/4 hour long. £55 child.
– enjoy our legendary camp weeks with your favourite Shetland pony (Mon-Thurs). Learn to ride him, look after him and enjoy being with him all day long. Amazing themed days.
– enjoy 4 mornings with your favourite Shetland pony (Mon-Thurs). Learn to ride him, look after him and enjoy being with him all day long. Amazing themes every day.
9:30am – 1pm, Summer holidays only. Age 4+.
£395 per week
Training Shetland Ponies
Watch this weeks video to find out how we train our Shetland ponies.
What happens on an Own a Pony Experience? This is a question we are often asked, at Shetland Pony Club. Watch the video to see what happens when children join us for two hours of pony magic.
Meet the ponies and get ready to ride
Children learn how to be safe around ponies and then meet their pony. They learn to make friends and to groom him. Putting on the saddle and bridle is the next step, before leading the Shetland out to the trail for riding.
Beginners’ Experts
Our one to one helpers, make it easy, safe and fun for children aged 4-10 to learn to ride, all around our meadows. They experience being together in nature with their pony. Its great for their physical and mental wellbeing.
Pony care teaches responsibility
After riding the children learn to care for their pony – from offering him a drink to washing him or cleaning his saddlery. There are lots of jobs to do, and children love the responsibility of caring for a real pony.
Celebrating Success
Own a Pony Experiences end with a rosette presentation and children love going home with a keepsake of their pony time.
Own a Pony Experiences – are two hours long and are delightful early riding and learning experiences for children from age 4 years old.
£85 per child.
Pony Share Membership 2025
You can experience a pony of your own, the easy way, with Pony Share Membership. Learn to ride, build a bond with your pony, come regularly to our club and enjoy pony fun in the countryside.
Gentle and fun, ideal for those little people age 3+. Enjoy pony dress up and learn to ride along a short trail with chocolate eggs to find in the countryside, followed by a rosette presentation. Each child will have their own pony and helper. The perfect tots treat at Easter for children aged 3 to 6 years old. 3/4 hour long. £55 child.
– enjoy our legendary camp weeks with your favourite Shetland pony (Mon-Thurs). Learn to ride him, look after him and enjoy being with him all day long. Amazing themed days.
– enjoy 4 mornings with your favourite Shetland pony (Mon-Thurs). Learn to ride him, look after him and enjoy being with him all day long. Amazing themes every day.
9:30am – 1pm, Summer holidays only. Age 4+.
£395 per week
What happens on an Own a Pony Experience
Join in the magic as children age 4+ begin riding the adorable ponies at Shetland Pony Club.
So, your child wants to start Pony Riding, here is some advice on the best way to start.
Pony Riding Advice
What age should your child start riding, where should you go, and how much does it cost? Is it good for children, and do boys ride? These are all questions that parents frequently ask us at Shetland Pony Club.
Beginners’ Experts
We are an award-winning riding school and we are beginners’ experts. Our Shetland ponies are small and child-sized. We have one to one helpers, making it easy, safe and fun to learn to ride.
Find out the answers that parents face when their child wants to start Pony Riding in this week’s video.
Pony Share Membership 2025
You can experience a pony of your own, the easy way, with Pony Share Membership. Learn to ride, build a bond with your pony, come regularly to our club and enjoy pony fun in the countryside.
Gentle and fun, ideal for those little people age 3+. Enjoy pony dress up and learn to ride along a short trail with chocolate eggs to find in the countryside, followed by a rosette presentation. Each child will have their own pony and helper. The perfect tots treat at Easter for children aged 3 to 6 years old. 3/4 hour long. £55 child.
– enjoy our legendary camp weeks with your favourite Shetland pony (Mon-Thurs). Learn to ride him, look after him and enjoy being with him all day long. Amazing themed days.
– enjoy 4 mornings with your favourite Shetland pony (Mon-Thurs). Learn to ride him, look after him and enjoy being with him all day long. Amazing themes every day.
9:30am – 1pm, Summer holidays only. Age 4+.
£395 per week
Help! My child wants to start Pony Riding
So your child wants to start Pony Riding? At Shetland Pony Club, we’re an award-winning riding school and beginners’ experts. Our Shetland ponies are small and child-sized, and we provide one-to-one helpers to make learning to ride easy, safe, and fun.
Find out the answers that parents face when their child wants to start Pony Riding in this week’s video.
At Shetland Pony Club your child can learn to ride with a one off session, such as a Starter Ride on an Own a Pony Experience, or join our members club called Pony Share Membership. We also hold wonderful learn to ride Parties.
Starter Rides – are 45 minutes long and are specially designed as early learning to ride experiences for children. From age 3 years old. £50 per child.
Own a Pony Experiences – are two hours long and are delightful early riding and learning experiences for children from age 4 years old. £75 per child.
Learn to ride at Shetland Pony Parties – wonderful learn to ride Shetland pony parties for children aged 3 – 10 years old. Use of a private facility, your children can bond with our adorable ponies and learn to ride them, creating magical memories for your child’s birthday. Two hours. Find out more about our Mini and Maxi Parties here.
Pony Share Membership – experience a pony of your own the easy way by joining our club. Learn to ride, build a bond with your pony, come regularly to our club and enjoy pony riding in the countryside.
We have wonderful Gift Vouchers to buy for every occasion
Pony Share Membership 2025
As well as booking one off rides, at Shetland Pony Club we have a Members Club that you can join, and ride with us every week. Its called Pony Share Membership.
We are enrolling with a few spaces available now for our Pony Share Membership Club for 2025
You can experience a pony of your own, the easy way, withPony Share Membership.Learn to ride, build a bond with your pony, come regularly to our club and enjoy pony fun in the countryside.
Pony Membership – a pony of your own each week, 2 hours, from age 4+ £275 per month (earlybird pricing)
Mini Membership – a pony of your own each week, 45 minutes, from age 3+ £195 per month (earlybird pricing)
What do we feed our Shetland Ponies? In this week’s video Rosemary shares her expertise on how we keep our ponies healthy and happy. Shetland Ponies are browsers which means they eat a variety of different things to have a healthy diet. Watch the video to find out more:
Now you’ve watched the video can you answer these questions:
Come and enjoy our Halloween Pumpkin Rides – themed pony treasure hunts for pony-mad witches and wizards. Enjoy 1½ hours of pony riding fun at the ranch, during October Half Term.
Halloween Pumpkin Rides start with pony dress-up Halloween style, followed by a ride through the ranch to our pumpkin candy trail. There are special rosettes for all riders.
Suitable for children aged 4 – 10 years
We are open daily from Saturday 19 October 2024 through to Sunday 3 November 2024, (except ponies’ rest days on Friday 25 October and Friday 1 November).
You can book your Halloween ride under ‘Special Events’. See all our following availability online here
Give your child a magical pony party and create memories that will last a lifetime. Enjoy a fabulous afternoon with our adorable Shetland ponies that really will make those pony dreams come true.
Pony Birthday Party options, availability and prices
We have 2 pony party options available:
Maxi Pony Party – 7-18 riders – large stylish Ranch with lots of adorable ponies. Pony brushing, riding and party games, all organised by our friendly team, creating magical memories for your child’s birthday. 3-10 years. Weekends: 2:30pm – 4:30pm £600 for 8 riders £30 per extra rider
NEW – Mini Pony Party – up to 6 riders – stylish Safari Tent with an adorable Shetland pony for each child and a friendly team to help, creating magical memories for your child’s birthday. 3-10 years. Weekends: 2:30pm – 4:30pm £450 for up to 6 riders (max)
Next Pony Party Availability:
Maxi Party- Saturday 19th October
Mini Party – Monday 21st October
Extra Pony Party Dates released in half term – due to popular demand. Can’t see the date you want? Get in touch and we will see if we can schedule your dream party!
You can experience a pony of your own, the easy way, withPony Share Membership.Learn to ride, build a bond with your pony, come regularly to our club and enjoy pony fun in the countryside.
Pony Membership – a pony of your own each week, 2 hours, from age 4+ £275 per month.
Mini Membership – a pony of your own each week, 45 minutes, from age 3+ £195 per month.
Open wide, it’s Shetland Pony Dentist time! Once a year our Shetland Pony Dentist Rob looks at the health and quality of all the Shetland’s teeth. Watch the video to find out more:
Our Dentist Rob is very careful and gentle with the ponies and they are always very calm around him. Well done ponies, you did very well at the dentist, we’re proud of you.
Come and enjoy our Halloween Pumpkin Rides – themed pony treasure hunts for pony-mad witches and wizards. Enjoy 1½ hours of pony riding fun at the ranch, during October Half Term.
Halloween Pumpkin Rides start with pony dress-up Halloween style, followed by a ride through the ranch to our pumpkin candy trail. There are special rosettes for all riders.
Suitable for children aged 4 – 10 years
We are open daily from Saturday 19 October 2024 through to Sunday 3 November 2024, (except ponies’ rest days on Friday 25 October and Friday 1 November).
You can book your Halloween ride under ‘Special Events’. See all our following availability online here
Own a Pony Experiences
Own a Pony Experiences – are two hours long and are delightful early riding and learning experiences for children from age 4 years old. £75 per child.
Give your child a magical pony party and create memories that will last a lifetime. Enjoy a fabulous afternoon with our adorable Shetland ponies that really will make those pony dreams come true.
Pony Birthday Party options, availability and prices
We have 2 pony party options available:
Maxi Pony Party – 7-18 riders – large stylish Ranch with lots of adorable ponies. Pony brushing, riding and party games, all organised by our friendly team, creating magical memories for your child’s birthday. 3-10 years. Weekends: 2:30pm – 4:30pm £600 for 8 riders £30 per extra rider
NEW – Mini Pony Party – up to 6 riders – stylish Safari Tent with an adorable Shetland pony for each child and a friendly team to help, creating magical memories for your child’s birthday. 3-10 years. Weekends: 2:30pm – 4:30pm £450 for up to 6 riders (max)
You can experience a pony of your own, the easy way, withPony Share Membership.Learn to ride, build a bond with your pony, come regularly to our club and enjoy pony fun in the countryside.
Pony Membership – a pony of your own each week, 2 hours, from age 4+ £275 per month.
Mini Membership – a pony of your own each week, 45 minutes, from age 3+ £195 per month.
