Ponies, pets and predators in Stanwick

A pony hire company and an exotic animals firm are offering the chance to get up close to a whole range of animals.
Stanwick Party Ponies has just relaunched and teamed up with another business, Raptor Xotics, to offer the ultimate petting experience.

The joint venture, called Ponies, Pets and Predators, has a new-look venue too – the Duke of Wellington pub in Church Street in the village.

The woman behind Stanwick Party Ponies, Ella Freer, said: “The venue has just undergone extensive refurbishment and the owners are being incredibly supportive to our business aim, which is to provide an indoor venue for therapy work, parties and petting experiences all year round.

“It has excellent parking, a glorious function room and excellent disabled access.

“Without their support we would not be able to offer this unique experience.”

People taking part in the petting experience can get to choose from a range of animals including the Shetland ponies, a Belgian malinois, golden eagle, Harris hawks, owls, snakes, lizards, cockroaches and other bugs, hedgehogs and rats.

The ponies are available for birthday parties, Nativity plays, weddings or hen parties and community or corporate events.

They can also be used for therapy work.

Other animals under the care of Raptor Xotics include other birds of prey and tarantulas.

It offers educational and other less formal talks to groups, as well as falconry displays.