When you can’t go out in your session without Dinky insisting on coming with because he’s in love
Sunny Days, Happy Ponies! ☀️🐴
We’ve had a fantastic few days enjoying the sunshine with our ponies! From splashing in the water to munching on the fresh green shoots of grass and cow parsley, they’ve been making the most of the beautiful weather.
This morning, we had a visit from Louise at The Tack Shack, who came to check and fit some saddles—always making sure our ponies are comfortable and ready for their next adventures. With the fields finally dry enough to ride in, it’s been wonderful to get out and enjoy the space!
A special moment today—Sorena finally got to have a play on her new boy, Oakley, after a short wait while he settled in over the weekend. With his new saddle now fitted, they were able to enjoy their first proper ride together!
Clyde is also on top form, now that his back is feeling better! He’s been popping some small jumps with Annie and looking very pleased with himself—especially while rocking his new mullet hairstyle 🤣.
We’ve also had little Lilly staying with us for a short holiday while she finds her new livery yard—she’s an absolute sweetheart (and we secretly wish she was staying forever!).
With the Easter break just around the corner, we’re looking forward to giving our hard-working ponies a well-earned rest before we dive into the busy summer term ahead. Here’s to more sunshine and happy riding days ahead! 🌿☀️🐎#pony_magic_nottingham #eotas #notokinschool #alternativeprovision #autismawareness #pda #sen #adhd #ponydays #springtimevibes
Why We Play the Leapfrog Game While Hacking
If you’ve ever been on a group hack, you may have played the “leapfrog” game—where riders take turns moving to the front while others wait behind. While it might seem like just a fun way to switch things up, leapfrogging serves several important purposes for both horse and rider.
1. Building Confidence in Horses
Some horses get anxious when they’re not in their usual place in the lineup. By rotating positions, they learn to feel comfortable whether they’re leading, following, or somewhere in the middle. This is especially useful for young or nervous horses who might rely too much on others.
2. Encouraging Independence
Horses can become attached to their hacking buddies, leading to herd-bound behavior. Leapfrogging teaches them that they can move ahead or stay behind without panicking, which makes for a more well-rounded, confident horse.
3. Rider Skill Development
For riders, it’s an excellent way to practice control, patience, and responsiveness. You learn to manage your horse’s pace, keep them focused, and adjust to different positions in the group.
4. Keeping the Ride Interesting
Long hacks can sometimes become monotonous for both horse and rider. Mixing up positions keeps everyone engaged and alert, making the ride more enjoyable.
5. Safety and Control
A horse that only ever leads or only follows can become difficult in situations where they have to switch roles. By practicing leapfrog, we ensure that our horses remain adaptable and easy to handle in different situations, which is crucial for safe group riding.
Next time you’re out on a hack, give the leapfrog game a try! It’s a simple yet effective way to improve your horse’s confidence, your riding skills, and the overall experience of the ride.
Do you use leapfrogging on your hacks? #eotas #notokinschool #alternativeprovision #autismawareness #pda #homeeducation #sen #adhd #ponydays #pony_magic_nottingham
Spring Cleaning… Sort Of!
With the sun shining, we decided it was finally warm enough to give Winnie’s tail and back legs a good wash for the first time this year! Being an older lady, Winnie isn’t the best at keeping herself clean, so her legs and tail had definitely seen better days.
We got her all scrubbed up and looking fresh… but Winnie had other ideas! The moment we were done, she pulled off the lead rein, cantered off, and—of course—went straight for a roll. So much for staying clean!
Typical Winnie—she always keeps us on our toes!
Allowing horses to have their rugs off in the springtime provides several benefits:
1. Vitamin D Absorption – Exposure to sunlight helps horses produce vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption and overall bone health.
2. Coat and Skin Health – Sunlight promotes natural shedding of the winter coat and can help maintain a healthy, shiny summer coat. It also helps prevent skin conditions that thrive in damp, covered areas.
3. Temperature Regulation – Horses naturally adjust to seasonal changes. Removing rugs helps them acclimate to warmer temperatures and reduces the risk of overheating.
4. Prevention of Rug Rubs and Sores – Constant rug use can cause friction, leading to hair loss or sores. Giving them time without rugs allows their skin to breathe and recover.
5. Mental and Physical Well-Being – Horses enjoy rolling and moving freely without the restriction of a rug, which can improve their overall comfort and mood.
Allowing horses to be rug-free when the weather is mild and dry supports their natural health and well-being.#springtime #springvibes #pony_magic5316 #eotas #alternativeprovision #notokinschool #autismawareness #pda #poniesofinstagram
🐴✨ Pony Magic Butt Nuggets! ✨🐴
Fresh, delicious, and straight from our happy hens and ducks! 🍳🥚
🥚 £3 for duck eggs
🐔 £2 for chicken eggs
(That’s for half a dozen!)
All money raised will go towards an end-of-year party for the children who attend alternative provision, making it extra special for them! 🎉💛
Get your hands on some magical farm-fresh goodness and support a great cause! DM to order! 🚜#pony_magic5316 #buttnuggets #fresh #freerange #happyhens
Meet Victor or as Sorena wants to call him Vector!
This little pony we saw before we brought Clyde….. I can honestly say that I have never seen a pony advertised for sale in such a poor state. The disgraceful women who was selling him did not care - the ponies on the yard were ill so at the time we just couldn’t risk buying him even though it broke our hearts to leave him! I reported to RSPCA and horse welfare who did nothing to help him.
On Saturday while at Sorena’s dance show I saw him advertised again for sale.
But he looked much better
I messaged the seller and yes it was the same pony and my heart skipped a beat- Victor needed to come home with me and NEVER be left to get in an horrendous state again!
The girl who had him this time sorted his teeth out which were cutting into his mouth and his feet which someone had put shoes on him 3 sizes too small for the foot hence why he was in agony- today I had a client off sick and I drove to Merseyside to get him!
He’s home
He’s safe
And may he have a long and happy life with us and never know that kind of cruelty ever again! 💔❤️❤️😩🫶🏻 I love you already beautiful boy
This puppy is a tyrant she literally harasses Teazel and Trueman 😂🤣🤭 Trueman is finally at the age of 11.5 chilling out. The puppy on the other hand has other ideas
✨ From a Shed to 5 Stars – The Pony Magic Journey ✨
Wow… what a ride it’s been! We started Pony Magic just before Covid with a £5,000 loan from a family friend, a whole lot of determination, and a love for ponies. As a mum of four (one with complex SEN needs), life was already busy, but we threw ourselves into pony parties and nursing home visits—until a devastating knee injury changed everything.
With all four ligaments needing replacement and Covid shutting everything down, we relied on my incredible husband and the kindness of friends to keep our ponies fed and our family going. No grants, no safety net—just pure grit.
18 months later, after major reconstructive surgery and 2.5 years in a full leg brace, we decided to shift focus. We introduced pony days, earned our horse-hiring license (getting 1 star at first—wow, that was tough!), and launched Tots That Trot, Groom ‘n’ Natter, and sessions for SEN children. Some days, we had just one client, sometimes none—but we kept going.
Fast forward, and we jumped to 3 stars on our next inspection. Last year, we successfully tendered for Nottinghamshire’s Alternative Provision list (never written so many policies in my life!). And today… despite last-minute chaos with workmen wrecking our perimeter fence and a killer headache during our inspection, we SMASHED IT—5-star license approved and extended for 3 years!
From a donated shed to a dream come true. This journey has been anything but easy, but we made it happen. Thank you to every single person who has supported Pony Magic—you are all part of this story!
Here’s to the next chapter… and proving that with passion and persistence, anything is possible!
#pony_magic5316 #eotas #notokinschool #alternativeprovision #autismawareness #pda #adhd #5Stars #DreamBig #HardWorkPaysOff #SENSupport #fromshedtosuccess
Huge Congratulations to Our Bella!
Last night, Bella was awarded a well-deserved award at the Quorn Hunt Pony Club, and we couldn’t be prouder! This isn’t the first time she’s been recognised—last year, she received a joint top girl award at junior Pony Club Camp and was also celebrated for her dedication to the musical ride.
Bella’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring. She started out on our Pony Days, initially terrified of riding after a tough fall at a riding school. But she didn’t let that fear define her. She took her first steps with part loaning Pumpkin, then bravely moved onto Jasper (who, let’s be honest, was a bit of a speed demon!), and now she’s thriving with Confidence, a pony that was only started last April being ridden.
Watching her grow into the incredible little horsewoman she’s becoming has been amazing. She’s worked so hard, overcome so much, and continues to improve every day. There’s still plenty to learn, but she’s proving time and time again what dedication, perseverance, and passion can achieve.
Well done, Bella! We are so proud of you! Keep going from strength to strength.
#ProudMoments #WellDoneBella #FutureEquestrian
#pony_magic5316 #ponyclubuk
Floss recording how much rain fall we@had@yesterday at Pony Magic #toomuch
absolutely no learning here!
#pony_magic5316 #eotas #notokinschool #alternativeprovision #autismawareness #pda #homeeducation #sen #incidentallearning #recordingrainfall
Pony Magic bringing the love of ponies to all! Inclusive service for everyone who loves ponies.
