Ponying up
Trial trot determines pit ponies a good fit for Cape Breton Miners’ Museum
After a trial trot it has been determined the pit ponies will be a regular fixture at the Cape Breton Miners’ Museum.
Mary Pat Mombourquette, executive director, said having the pit ponies at the museum is being well received by the public.
“The guys are working on building the ponies a little stable as we speak,” Mombourquette said.
“The ponies will now be a regular part of the Miners’ Museum experience.”
Membourquette said families love the ponies.
“Visitors hear the stories about the pit pony from the museum guides inside and then they come out and see what the pit pony looked like,” she said.
“It just broadens the experience. When animals are there kids gravitate towards them.”
The pony rides are $6 and offered at the museum Monday to Friday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
As well Mombourquette said news of the ponies has brought more locals over to the museum again, which is also part of the goal.
“Getting up on a pony is something children really enjoy and it’s so pretty back here.”
Once the children go back to school the hours will likely be modified to fit the season, she added.
“It will slow down a lot when the kids go back so there may be a change in schedule at that time.”
At the same time the museum is always looking for new volunteers.
“If we can perk people’s interest by coming to see the ponies and then if they want to get involved in some way, that would be even better.”
Anyone who hasn’t visited the can drop by the museum today. The museum is holding an end-of-summer fun day with pony rides from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and a free barbecue with hotdogs from 2-4 p.m. In the evening, the Men of the Deeps perform at 8 p.m. in the museum’s Men of the Deeps Theatre.
The museum is open seven days a week 10 a.m.-6 p.m. until Oct. 15.