Hi Renee,
First, have fun. I take my minis to the local library for children's hour often. I will be glad to share what I have learned by trial and error. These kids range in age from 2 to 6. We divide them up into 2 groups sort of by age. Little ones wants to touch the mini. Older ones want more interaction.
1) Have Nursery sign a liability release form. Have them get parents to sign the form as well. Make sure no children are allergic to horses!
2) Take a horse smart helper with you. I like to stand or kneel beside my mini's head, holding his halter lead close to me. I have my helper stand on the opposite side of my mini near his hind quarters. This helps to keep any little people from getting accidently bumped if the mini swings or shifts his position.
3) My visits are always outside, away from car traffic. A fenced in play ground should be great.
(Many parents like to be there for mini visits and can really help keep things safe)
4) I tell the group to stop about 10 feet from me, in a half circle, facing my mini. At this point I tell them a little about minis. The adults like this part. I do mention that some minis might bite fingers stuck too close to their mouth. I demonstrate the best way to approach and pet the mini (usually on the mane side of his neck.) Each child who wants to come up to pet him is allowed to ...only if an adult comes up with each of them one at a time. This does take time so I have them form a line and come up facing my mini. He is very comfortable with all the giggles, laughs and shouts children make when they get excited. Some kids will get back in line over and over!
5) Some kids will hang back and not want to pet the horse. I tell the adults with them that it is okay not to come up. If they are made to, they can start to cry and that is no fun for anyone. Usually, these children want to come up later and are the most interested!
6) At this point, I ask if they want to see any tricks. Of course they do. We do a few, they clap after each one, I am the ONLY person giving treat rewards. By this time the non-horsey kids start doing other stuff and are ready to leave. I always have a few that want to hug and brush the the mini so we tie up to the trailer and my helper and I show these kids and adults how to groom him. Then I let the kids brush him a bit.
7) I have 2 geldings that go visiting but I only take 1 per visit. I can really focus on the safety of the kids that way. There will always be at least 1 kid that runs around, tries to come up behind the mini. They can not help it! They may want to touch his hoof, pull ears, mane, look at his private area. Curious children. I have never had a child bitten or kicked (yet) but my geldings are driving and trick minis, used to lots of things.
I was very nervous the first few times I went on these visits. I hung in there and now have a ball! I have made lots of friends doing this, and in fact, my present "barn rat" kid first met us during a visit to her little brother's class. It can be lots of fun and very rewarding. You never know just who you made an impression on or who needed a smile just then. GO FOR IT!
Here is a poster from one of my "Lil'Bit" s visits. An one from "Bucky, the Wonder Horse" as the kids nicked-named him.
