PERSONAL PONIES has only one mission. We provide U.K. Shetland Ponies to children with disabilities to help change children's lives. That's it.

We don't have any rules about eligibility and you don't have to convince us that you are worthy or that your special child is sick “enough” or disabled “enough” to qualify. If you have a child who is “differently-able” and you believe that a very special new best friend might make a difference in your child's life, then we want to help.

Of course, there are rules about how to take proper care of our ponies and your entire family must be committed to the program, but we will teach you all about care and help you every step of the way as long as YOU are willing to learn!

For those families who cannot keep a pony at home, we also have Volunteer Sponsors who will maintain your pony for you so you can go visit as often as you would like. Your State Director or Community Director can explain this program to you in more detail.

I think my child may benefit from a "personal pony." What now?

Contact your State Director and inquire about the program in your area. Bring your child to visit our ponies. Work with your Community Director to find out if having a tiny pony will enrich the life of your child.

Our ponies are placed only after careful consideration and a placement requires the care, love and committment of an entire family. We look for families who exhibit enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about pony care and accept all the responsibilities

When your representative feels you are ready to make a serious and binding commitment to a pony, we will begin the search for just the right match. But keep in mind that finding your pony may take a bit of time. It takes eleven months to gestate a new foal, and another six months before it can be separated from its mother. We are importing both breeding stock and ponies for the program as quickly as we can, but funding limits our ability to expand the program and our list of families waiting for ponies is long.

Remember, though, that good things come to those who wait. (And if you REALLY believe in the work we do, tell your friends about us and ask them to support us so that we can grow faster!).

What are my responsibilities?

Your pony is placed with you for the “lifetime use” of your child. When you accept a pony, you agree to maintain it according to our guidelines, providing adequate food, shelter, medical care, and LOTS of love. We do not expect you to take on extraordinary expenses to care for a sick or injured pony. Ponies are humanely euthanized when costs of care exceed reasonable expense.

You do not legally own this pony, but rather it is given "for lifetime use." Once placed, your pony can remain with your family for as long as it serves the needs of your child. However, we know that circumstances change, so when you wish to return the pony, just let us know and the pony will be given a new assignment

Also, though we would never simply take a pony away, we do reserve the right to recall a pony if it is not receiving proper care and you are not willing or able to remedy the situation. You must also know that our ponies are NEVER sold. Once placed into our program, our ponies receive lifetime care and are never removed from the program.

We also expect that you will maintain contact with your Community Director, submit annual records as required, report any illnesses or injuries, and ask for help and guidance as needed. We care A LOT about our ponies and we expect them to be cared for properly and to lead happy and productive lives as the special companions of special children.

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