Hey everyone, quick question we get ALL the time here at [our company]—it’s the one that pops up every single weekend, rain or shine, when we’re prepping the pony rides, camel trains, or even those tiny petting zoo critters for birthday parties and community fairs: “Can I feed the animals after the ride?” Animal Ride
I get it, I really do. When you’re at a fair, or a family event, you’ve just watched your kid giggle so hard they snort while a pony trotted past, or fed a llama that spit a tiny little wadded-up grass at your shoes (don’t worry, that’s just them being dramatic, not mad), and suddenly you’ve got a half-eaten pack of carrots in your bag, or a bag of plain popcorn you brought for the kids that they’re not into, and you’re like “wait, can I just share this? They look hungry.”
But here’s the thing: when we say “animal rides,” we’re not just talking about taking a pony around a circle for 5 minutes. We’re talking about animals that are on a strict, specific diet for their health, their safety, and the safety of you and your kids. I’ve been running this animal ride operation for 8 years now, and I’ve seen so many good intentions go sideways fast—stuff that makes even the most laid-back zookeeper go “whoa, hold up.” Let me break this down like I would to a 7-year-old who just begged for another cookie: no, not without clearing it with us first, and here’s exactly why.
First off, let’s talk about the animals themselves. Each of our ride animals is a pro, but they’re still living, breathing creatures with very sensitive tummies. Take our mini ponies, for example. They’re not the kind that live out in a pasture all year munching on whatever grows. Their diet is calculated by a equine nutritionist—we’re talking specific amounts of timothy hay, a tiny handful of grain twice a day, and fresh water that’s been checked for bugs every single morning. Why? Because ponies are prone to founder, which is this super painful condition that affects their hooves, basically like a foot infection from eating too much sugar or grain. Last year, a family snuck their kid a lollipop for a pony after a ride, and we had to take that pony out of service for 3 days. He couldn’t even walk around the ring, which meant a whole party had to reschedule their ride time. That’s no fun for anyone.
Then there’s the camels. Wait, camels don’t eat whatever, right? I thought they survive on desert plants. Yeah, but our ride camels are used to being around crowds, so their diet is tailored to handle being pet and ridden for hours on end, too much of the wrong food and they get colic. Colic in camels is like a bad stomach ache on steroids—they stop eating, get lethargic, and sometimes you have to call the vet out in the middle of the night. We had that happen two summers ago at a county fair: someone snuck a bag of potato chips to a camel after a ride, and by 10PM that night, he was rolling around on the ground groaning. We paid $800 for an emergency vet visit, and the fair had to cut the camel ride section an hour early. That’s not just our money or our schedule—that’s ruining a fun day for everyone.
But it’s not just the big animals. Our petting zoo critters that are part of the ride add-ons—baby goats, sheep, even those little pot-bellied pigs—they all have super specific diets too. A few months back, a mom brought in a bag of chocolate chips for her kid to feed a baby goat (I know, I know, chocolate for dogs is bad, but people don’t realize it’s bad for goats too). That baby goat ended up with a stomach bug so bad he wouldn’t eat for two days. We had to keep him in a separate pen to keep him from getting dehydrated, and he missed 10 days of event work. Ten days—we can’t replace that kind of reputation fast, especially when families come back year after year for these events.
Now, let’s talk about your safety, because this is the part that surprises most people. When you feed an animal that’s used to a strict diet, they get used to a certain kind of food, offered a certain way. If you walk up with a random snack, the animal might not know what to do, and they could react. A pony that’s only used to hay and grain might nibble your hand if you’ve got a popcorn kernel on your fingers—those little teeth are sharp, and it’s not meant to hurt, but you might end up with a tiny scratch that ruins the rest of your day at the fair. Or a llama that’s been starved (wait, no, not really, but they’re always hunting for a snack) might nip at your backpack, or your kid’s hoodie, thinking it’s food. I’ve seen a dad drop his phone because a camel went after the granola bar in his pocket. Phone screens break, camels’ teeth get worn down—no one wins here.
Also, here’s a big one: not all “safe” human food is actually safe for these animals. Plain popcorn? Turns out, that’s fine in tiny amounts, but if you give a pony a whole bag, they can get a blockage in their gut. Carrots? Great for some animals, but too many carrots mean too much sugar for ponies, which leads right back to that founder thing we talked about earlier. Even apples—super common “feed animal” food—can be a problem if an animal is used to only getting a small slice. We once had a kid give a pony a whole apple after a ride, and that pony had to go to the vet for a gut flush. Yikes.
So, what can you do if you want to give these animals a little treat after the ride? I got you, no judgment here. We always have small, pre-packaged treats available for purchase at our ride booths—they’re made specifically for each animal, checked by a vet, and portioned just right. Last weekend, we had a group of teens at a community festival who bought the pre-made goat treats, and they stood there for 20 minutes taking selfies with the baby goats, laughing the whole time. It’s way more fun than sneaking random stuff, and you don’t have to worry about hurting the animal or getting a tiny scratch.
Wait, and if you’re coming to a private event—like a birthday party, a graduation, or a corporate picnic—let’s chat! We work with you to make sure the animals have the right setup, and we can even add on a little treat station if you want. We’ll send over a list of approved foods that are safe for all the animals, so you can plan ahead if you want to bring something, but we still prefer the pre-packaged stuff because we know it’s consistent.
And for the regulars—you know who you are, the people who come to our events every year and know most of the animals’ names—please, just flag us down before you pull out your snack. We’ll give you the okay if it’s fine, or tell you why it’s not. We’re not being rude, we’re being responsible. These animals are part of our family, too, and we want them to be healthy and happy so they can keep making your family’s events awesome.
Let’s be real, everyone wants to feel connected to the animals at a fair or a ride. That’s why we do this job—we love seeing kids’ faces light up when they ride a pony for the first time, or when they pet a baby goat that’s all fluffy and curious. But that connection has to be safe, for both you and the animals. Feeding them random stuff after the ride might feel like a nice, spontaneous thing to do, but it’s actually a recipe for a lot of headaches (and vet bills, and upset kids).
So next time you’re at one of our rides, or you book us for your next event, remember: ask us first before you pull out that half-eaten bag of carrots. We’ll either tell you it’s totally fine, or point you to our little treat stand, or even send you a list of safe foods if you’re bringing something special. No questions asked, no judgment—we’re all here to have a good time.
If you’re thinking about booking an animal ride for your next event, whether it’s a small backyard party or a big community fair, reach out to us. We’ll walk you through all the details, answer any questions you have, and make sure everything goes smoothly. We’ve been doing this for 8 years, and we’d love to help make your event one that everyone talks about for months.
Inflatable Parks References:
- American Association of Equine Practitioners. Equine Nutrition Guidelines for Pasture and Performance Horses. 2021.
- International Camelid Management Council. Nutritional Care for Working Camelids. 2022.
- Goat Vet Handbook. Safe and Unsafe Foods for Caprine Species. 2020.
- United States Animal Welfare Association. Best Practices for Public Interaction with Ride Animals. 2023.
Guangzhou Minye Import and Export Co., Ltd.
As one of the leading animal ride manufacturers and suppliers in China, we warmly welcome you to wholesale bulk high-grade animal ride for sale here from our factory. All customized products are with high quality and competitive price. We also accept OEM&ODM orders.
Address: #168 Qiaoxing Rd, Shiqiao, Panyu District, Guangzhou
E-mail: sales@minyefun.com
WebSite: https://www.minyeamusement.com/
