Get up close and personal with some of our equine residents and compare your stride to theirs. This spring, take a ride on one of the heavyweights of the horse family - the Zoo's new draft horses! Did you know that certain draft horse breeds can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and measure more than six feet tall at their shoulders? The Zoo's draft horses are Percherons - a breed originating from the province of Le Perche, France. Instead of working the fields, the ancestors of this breed originally served as war horses carrying knights into battle.
If you're in search of something a little more Western, saddle up and hit the dusty trail in Children's Zoo atop one of our popular ponies - each one is unique and "strong as a horse." Have you ever wondered what makes a pony a pony? The answer is size. Any horse less than five feet tall at the shoulders is considered a pony. Compare the size of these ponies to their draft horse relatives!
Disabled Access
Must be able to exit wheelchair, and maintain an upright, seated position while riding.
Restrictions
For pony rides, all riders must be children under 100 lbs. For draft horse rides, expectant mothers may not ride and larger adults may not be able to ride (based upon the judgment of the Animal caretakers).