Unicorn for hire craze

IT is the stuff of fairy tales – your own unicorn pal to play with.

But the mythical beasts are back and are being hired out for birthday parties, school fetes and weddings.

The unicorns are ponies given a ditzy makeover with twinkly horns and brightly coloured hair dye and paint.

Ali Grange, 37, bought a unicorn horn for her pony Cherry Blossom, 15, as a treat for her daughter Rose, seven, and her friends.

They loved it so much Ali set up Cotswold Unicorns and attends events with Cherry Blossom, while dressed as a fairy.

Ali said: “Rose would invite her friends to come to see Cherry Blossom to ride and groom her and I got her a unicorn horn.

“The shy children were more keen to join in when she wore it and that’s how it evolved. We’ve been going to parties for two months.

“We’re asked to children’s birthdays, Brownies and Beavers, schools and even weddings.”

Cherry Blossom spends 30 minutes appearing at each event and does a maximum of four each week.

The kids groom her for 20 minutes then paint magical things on her coat, such as rainbows, stars and hearts.

Ali said: “We also work with the James Hopkins Trust Children’s Hospice in Gloucester.

“One little girl couldn’t pick up a paintbrush but the nurses and staff helped her paint Cherry Blossom and it really was such a special moment.”

Party

Ali, also mum to Dylan, nine, and Ethan, four, has ridden since childhood and stresses welfare is top priority.

She said: “Cherry Blossom is regularly seen by the farrier, the vet and equine dentist. She’s our family pet and it’s vital she is comfortable.

“We use non-toxic paint, ensure she’s in the shade if it’s hot, and offer plenty of water and hay.”

An RSPCA spokesman said the focus at a unicorn party should be on educating children on pony welfare.

She said: “It’s really important they only ever opt for non-toxic products, give the pony plenty of breaks and be aware of stress signals.” OUR vet Brian IS it OK Faulkner, from Petplan, to feed has 22 years of experience my and is a freelancer working all rabbits fruit? I over the country. Send your wasn’t sure if questions to Brian at: Petplan, the sugar might Great West House, Great be too much for West Road, Brentford, them and I Middlesex, TW8 9DX or via didn’t know if Petplan’s Facebook page they could eat facebook.com/ Petplanuk. sweet foods. If you have a story about wildlife email us at pets@people.co.uk