Ponysitters Club

TV review by Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media
Ponysitters Club Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 7+

Heartwarming themes in diverse show for animal-loving kids.

Netflix Drama 2018
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Parents say

age 5+

Based on 6 reviews

Kids say

age 9+

Based on 3 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

Stands out for .

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Ponysitters Club follows a group of friends who volunteer at a rescue ranch. They help rehabilitate animals while simultaneously supporting each other as they overcome challenges in their own lives. What the show lacks in writing and acting expertise it makes up for in representations of loyalty, friendship, empathy, compassion, and kindness among the handful of main characters. There's a strong family bond among the three generations that operate the ranch and a sense of family that includes all of the tweens who help out. Ethnic diversity and diversity of ability also stand out, always with positive representations of respect and acceptance. One character does use her comparative privilege for social superiority among her peers, but there are times when she seems to genuinely care and want to help. This heartwarming series also includes many scenes of humans interacting with and enjoying the company of animals of all kinds.

Community Reviews

kaira_1986
kaira_1986 Adult
November 25, 2022
age 5+

Fantastic for little ones

This is great for little ones, so unpretentious and real showing whats really important day to day. I found this was so calming and authentic. In a world where everything is so superficial this was so grounded. Yes the acting is aimed for little ones, i think some of the other comments here are very harsh. Calm down people.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Michelle_y_ell_y
Michelle_y_ell_y Adult
March 12, 2021
age 7+

Lifetime Meets Political Correctness Meets TV Tropes

It’s fine for kids. As a person from the Babysitter’s Club generation and The Saddle Club and Thoroughbred series generation, even as an adult and a horse lover, I can appreciate a good horse show, but this one lays on the cheese a little TOO thickly. I’m stressed out watching this. The background track of constant horse neighing puts me on edge. The noise track are all horses calling out in distress. Just because it’s a horse show, doesn’t mean we need to hear distressed whinnying all the time. Makes me wonder about the “rescue” premise. The thing is, horse crazy girls and kids will duplicate/copy all that they see. They lap it up. Unsupervised access to horses not belonging to these girls and a dress with party shoes as an outfit for a Portuguese horse whisperer handling a pony that adults - professional horse people - can’t coax outdoors gives young girls hope that they can possess this gift. I’ve seen what happens when girls learn things from series like these snd end up in situations which are dangerous. They don’t have the age, experience, maturity or knowledge to enter the stall of a difficult 1200lb horse that operates on a fight or flight instinct (and they can’t run away in a stall). As a coach, I’ve had to gently let down girls who imitate what they see and believe they have a gift. I’m all for diversity, but this is *painfully* diverse and over the top (“she knows Portuguese because she lived in Brazil!”). These kids under 16 need and should be wearing boots, helmets and gloves. Just consult a professional with experience in owning horses and teaching kids how to ride. Instead of going overboard and being Captain Obvious for everything *but* the horses, a coach can tell you how these kids can be safe role models whilst still enjoying the horses to teach the horse crazy girls across the Netflix platform.
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In PONYSITTERS CLUB, a young horse enthusiast inspires her friends to join her in caring for the animals that arrive at her family's Rescue Ranch. Skye's (Morgan Neundorf) boundless love of animals yields especially strong bonds with the horses that need extra attention. Her friends Olivia (Maya Franzoi), Trish (Khiyla Aynne), Isabella (Victoria Tomazelli), and Ethan (Zyon Allen) form the Ponysitters Club and volunteer at the ranch, which is run by Skye's mom, Billy (Madeline Leon), and grandfather (Hugh Wilson). As the Ponysitters care for the animals, they also find opportunities to demonstrate kindness and help each other through the challenges that arise in their own lives.

Is It Any Good?

This feel-good series promotes the very ideals its characters advocate in their club creed: caring, kindness, empathy, and helping others. It's not gripping drama by any means, and it's clearly written for young viewers who will be more forgiving of the rudimentary stories and somewhat unpolished acting than adults might be.

Ultimately, though, Ponysitters Club is a harmless, heartwarming show about both people and animals overcoming adversity with help from friends who care. It also deserves credit for portraying a place where life isn't always perfect and for involving in its diverse cast some characters with physical and learning disabilities, including Skye's dyslexia. These small features give the series a validity that helps compensate for areas where it lacks and offers many teachable moments for families.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the healing and rehabilitation process for the animals on the ranch. How do Skye and her friends help them recover in Ponysitters Club? How do they overcome setbacks in the process? What similarities do you see emerge between the animals' needs and the club members' own struggles with school and friends?

  • What difficult customers and other characters challenge the volunteers at Rescue Ranch? How do their personalities differ from those of the people you would consider role models in the show? Talk about the instances of transformation you see in some characters, including Shelby. How do their experiences help inspire personal growth?

  • How do Skye and her friends show that they're compassionate to the animals' needs and to each other's? How does caring and showing kindness help compensate for not fully understanding what someone needs to feel better? Why are these character strengths important among the Ponysitters and in the real world?

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