The Little Tykes Giddyup 'N Go Pony puts your little one on the road to adventure. With your child in the saddle, the pony will actually move forward while your child operates and steers it. Designed for children ages 3 to 8, and up to 160 pounds, this pony offers fun play that's both imaginative and physical, helping develop both coordination and creative play.
The pony supports children up to 160 pounds. View larger. |
The Giddyup 'N Go Pony is design for both indoor and outdoor play. View larger. |
 | What We Think
Fun Factor: 
Durability: 
(what this means)
The Good: Toy is sturdy; provides outlet for physical activity.
The Bad: Toy is somewhat heavy; brake is not intuitive or quick to use.
In a Nutshell: Adorable, child-sized riding pony moves with your child's movements, offering plenty of physical, imaginative fun. | At a Glance
Ages: 3 to 6 years
Requires: 3 AA batteries (included)
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A brake lever tightens the pony's wheels. |
Plush, Cute, and Sturdy The pony is much like an oversized stuffed toy, with its plush body, longhaired mane and tail, and its friendly eyes. Our child tester loved just petting it, let alone riding it. Beneath its plush fur is a hard, sturdy body that's heavy enough to support to even larger children. It wears a permanent saddle, and the metal, adjustable footrests -- which the toy's instructions call "stirrups" -- have rubber grips for extra security. They're attached to the horse's body with a heavy-duty, permanent metal bar. This toy is definitely built to last. Grip handles are located at the base of the pony's head, and its four hooves are fitted with hidden wheels.
To make the pony move, the child sits in the saddle and places her feet on the footrests. By alternating a sitting position and standing up onto the footrests, she makes a bouncing action that causes the pony's legs to splay out and then come together, making the pony roll forward. Bouncing smoothly and continuously will make the pony continue to roll forward. The child can steer the pony using the handlebars. A brake lever is located at the right handlebar. It can be ratcheted up or down to loosen or completely tighten the pony's wheels.
Imaginative Fun That Comes With a Workout!
In these days of rising childhood obesity, we're happy to have found find an innovative toy that's powered by a child's sheer physical exertion, rather than by remote control or batteries. (Yes, this toy takes 3 AA batteries -- but only to create its sound effects. Squeeze its ears, and it will neigh and make trotting sounds.)
The Giddyup 'N Go Pony offers plenty of fun physical challenges: the rider is challenged to master the bouncing action that makes the pony go, and she must maintain balance while driving and steering at the same time. The pony is built for both indoor and outdoor use, which expands its versatility and gives kids the opportunity to go outside and play.
Some Wise Precautions
But whether the pony and rider are inside or out, make sure an adult is always on hand. For safety reasons, the pony will not roll backwards, and because of its weight and height, only an adult can lift and move it away from "dead ends" or other obstacles. Smaller children will definitely need some help getting in and out of the saddle. And even though the horse has a break, it's not intuitive or quick to use -- so you'll want to keep a watchful eye to ensure that pony and rider don't stray off into steep or otherwise hazardous territory.
If you keep these precautions in mind, your little adventurer can have plenty of fun imagining rustling up cattle, chasing down outlaws, or riding off into the sunset.
This ride-on pony is a toddler's perfect first horseback ride. As kids bounce up and down, the wheeled pony's legs start rolling, so kids can really go for a ride! Horse also comes with safety brakes, which are activated when the seat is held down continuously. Riders can simply press down on the left ear to hear life-like galloping sounds; or press on the right ear for whinnying and snorting sounds. The pony's tail even swings side to side as your child rides along. Handlebars located on the pony's head make steering easy, and a tight four-foot steering radius provides a controlled ride. Pony is perfect for active play both indoors and out. Requires three "AA" batteries, included. 32"L x 13"W x 32"H. Holds up to 150 lbs.
