WINNIPEG EVENTS FIELD GUIDE
A Miniature-Horse Birthday: Meet Zip at Sagehill Stables
A focused 30-minute visit for toddlers with grooming, petting and lead-line rides—this guide explains what to expect, what to bring, and how to add a cozy room or fire-shack to your celebration.
A Miniature-Horse Birthday: Meet Zip at Sagehill Stables.
For parents planning a small, hands-on birthday for a toddler, Sagehill Stables’ Birthday — Visit with Zip centers on one unassuming star: Zip, a friendly miniature horse. In thirty-minute slots designed for the youngest guests, children groom and pet Zip, take supervised lead-line rides (for riders 50 lbs and under), and can mingle with Zip’s pal Dash; parties can expand with a rented indoor room or a fire shack for food and games to make the visit stretch into a relaxed celebration.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Zip: the miniature horse who anchors the party
Zip is the focal point of this short, toddler-friendly session: children can groom and pet him, and supervised lead-line rides are offered for riders up to 50 lbs. Dash, another miniature pony, is available for grooming as well.
Thirty-minute, toddler-paced sessions
Parties are run in 30-minute time-slots tailored to very young children—brief, focused interactions that minimize overstimulation while giving each child a turn to groom, pet and, if eligible by weight, ride on lead-line.
Add a warm room or fire shack for food and games
You can add an indoor room or a fire shack to your booking: both let you stage cake, gifts and simple party activities before and after the Zip visit, creating a small, contained celebration on-site.
What the day feels like
What the thirty minutes feel like
The visit unfolds like a series of small rituals—a calm greeting with handlers, hands-on grooming under supervision, brief petting and a measured lead-line ride for eligible children. The short duration keeps attention focused and the atmosphere gentle, while optional room or fire-shack time frames let families extend the gathering for cake, games and photos.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience suits—and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Closed-toed shoes are required for all guests. Riders should wear long pants in summer; in winter, bring winter boots, jacket, gloves and hat. Helmets are mandatory for riders and will be provided, or riders may bring an equestrian-certified helmet. Guests must sign a liability release before riding.
Bring your own food, drinks, utensils and disposable tablecloths. Tables and chairs for up to 50 guests are included with the indoor room rental; the fire shack includes seating for up to 20 and two tables for food and gifts.
Dress for the barn environment—warm layers in winter (the arena is heated to 0°C in winter), and durable, closed footwear year-round. No shorts or bare legs for riders; no sandals or flats in the barn.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Visit with Zip?
Each Visit with Zip is a 30-minute time-slot designed for toddlers to groom, pet and take lead-line rides if eligible.
What are the costs and deposit requirements?
The base cost is $95 + GST for a 30-minute time-slot. A non-refundable $50 deposit is required to reserve a time-slot; the remaining fees are invoiced and due the day of the party and may be paid via e-transfer, cheque or cash.
Can I add room or fire-shack rental or another pony?
Yes. Room or fire-shack rental is $60 + GST (includes arrival 30 minutes prior and up to 2 hours after the ride). An additional lead-line pony is $50 + GST for the 30-minute session.
When are time-slots available?
For Winter/Spring 2024 the available time-slots are 1:00pm, 1:30pm, or 4:00pm on Saturdays and 1:00pm, 1:30pm or 4:00pm on Sundays; use the booking calendar to place a $50 deposit on a preferred slot.
Who can ride Zip?
Lead-line rides are available for children who weigh 50 lbs or less; handlers will select an appropriately sized additional horse if you add one and advise based on the ages attending the party.
Are there any safety or site rules I should know?
All guests must wear closed-toed shoes in the barn; riders must wear helmets (provided or personal equestrian-certified helmets). There is no smoking on the property and all riders must sign a liability release before riding. The fire shack is not recommended November through March.