🐐 Prancing Pony Farm — Farm Helper SOPs

Simple, friendly instructions to keep our animals healthy and our farm running smoothly.

Welcome!
This page is for all current and future helpers, so everyone always has the most up-to-date instructions in one easy place.
Our goal is to keep the farm clean, safe, and enriching for the animals — and to make the work as smooth and predictable as possible for you.

Each shift follows the layout of the farm itself:
👉 Start in the Puppy Parlor area
👉 Then move to the Barnyard
👉 Finish with quick end-of-shift tasks

You do not need to check every corner of the farm at the beginning. Just follow the workflow below, and you’ll naturally see everything in the right order.

🐾 SECTION 1 — PUPPY PARLOR AREA

⭐ 1. Feeding Tasks (Do these first)

1A. Feed ALL dogs and puppies in the Puppy Parlor zone

• If there are puppies that are eating puppy mush, start soaking it with hot water when you first arrive, so it has time to soften, then feed it once it’s softened. (I’ll leave the measured out puppy food on the Cricket if it’s needed.)

• In the big puppy parlor pasture, let every dog into the creep-feeder area — even large dogs who can’t fit through the puppy openings. Everyone must eat.

• Puppies and adults in the small puppy parlor pasture get fed in their stalls inside the parlor to keep the goats out of their food.

• Dogs in side yards get fed in their yard or stall, depending on the setup or if there are goats with them or not.

Tip: Dogs can eat while you clean, which saves time.

1B. Feed the Cats

The cat feeding area is right along the fence outside the Puppy Parlor gate.
You walk past this spot as you’re going back and forth to the barnyard— just stop for a moment and fill their bowl.

1C. Feed the Birds (in the bird run by the Puppy Parlor)

• Feed is stored in the barrel between the two pastures.

• Scatter feed inside the run for geese, ducks, and turkeys.

• If the large flat feed pan is dry, use it; if it’s wet, just scatter feed on the ground.

⭐ 2. Waterers

2A. Clean all Nelson automatic waterers

These must stay clean so the dogs have safe water.
Use the “How to Clean Nelson Waterers” box for exact steps.

Locations in this area include:

• Front pasture

• Middle area near kennels

• Puppy Parlor stalls

• Little goat pen

• Opposite side yard 

⭐ 3. Cleaning the Puppy Pasture & Surrounding Yards

3A. Puppy Pasture — Deep Clean

Use tools in this order for the best results:

1. Yard rake → make big pile

2. Apple picker/stall fork → scoop piles into a wheelbarrow

3. Dog pooper scooper → get small puppy poops & clean inside kennels

Remove:

• Dog poop

• Goat berries (as many as possible)

• Wasted hay

• Dog hair clumps

• Stuffing from toys

• Cardboard pieces

• Flattened bottles (throw these away — dogs are done with them)

• Any trash of any kind

Trash goes in the large trash cans, not compost piles.

3B. Side Yards (both sides of the building)

• Pick up dog poop

• Remove wasted hay

• Pick up trash, bottles, and toy stuffing

• Sweep rubber mats, and concrete patio when needed

• Make sure the area looks clean for visiting clients

3C. Little Goat Pen

• Check for dog poop and clean it up

• Remove wasted hay and goat berries

• Check waterer

3D. Opposite Side Yard

Some dogs prefer to potty here — always check this area.
Remove poop, hay, trash, and hair.

3E. Gate Areas & Catch Areas

There are three gates with small “catch areas” around them.

Once a week (or more if needed):

• Rake up spilled hay

• Pick up poop

• Remove trash

3F Check and Clean the Kennels Attached to the Puppy Parlor and Center Patio Area

What to do:

• Check both kennels and the patio area every shift.

• Pick up any poop or debris you see.

• If the kennels or patio are dirty, spray them out with the hose.

• Only hose off when puppies are old enough and not in the way, and the mother dog is comfortable. (Don’t get tiny puppies wet!)

• Make sure kennels that should be open remain open; kennels that should be closed are latched.

Why this matters:
Puppies and confined dogs may potty inside these areas. This is a highly visible space for visitors and must always look clean and sanitary.

Clean the Bird Water Trough Between Pastures 1 & 2 at Least Once Per Week, Twice if You Have Time

This gets dirty quickly.

1. Lift one end and tip it over to dump

2. Swish it back and forth with the incoming water

3. Dump again if needed

4. Set upright — it will refill automatically

⭐ 4. Inside the Puppy Parlor Building

4A. Vacuuming

• Vacuum the main room every shift.

• Vacuum the stall with older puppies once per week. (You can shut the outer kennel gate to keep puppies and dogs out of your way. Don’t forget to open it when you’re done.) Remember to vacuum under the dog bed in the stall.

• Vacuum cobwebs and dust along ceilings, walls, cabinets, air conditioners, behind fans, and behind the TV.

• Vacuum the outside filter on the air purifier.

• Vacuum or spray the two slide-out AC filters. (If you spray them with water to clean them, leave them in the dish drainer or tub to dry, and I’ll put them back.)

4B. Clean Surfaces

Use the spray cleaner on the counter or in the tall skinny cabinet.
Wipe down:

• Counters

• Microwave

• Big metal table

• Desk

Wash hard toys in the sink with dish soap.
Put dirty soft toys into the laundry basket.

4C. Cleaning the Whelping Box (only when mom is comfortable with you handling her puppies)

You may clean the whelping box after the puppies are about 2 weeks old and Mom is relaxed about it. All moms are different in their comfort level with people other than me handling their puppies.

Steps:

1. Move puppies:

1. • Under 2 weeks → put in puppy stroller

   • 2–3 weeks → put in the blanket-lined laundry basket

   • 3-4 weeks plus → set safely on the floor outside the kennel (once they are walking well)

2. Pick up toys, dishes, etc
3. Remove dirty whelping pads and blankets
4. Wipe/mop floor if needed
5. Lay down clean pads (thin ones under fluffy ones)
6. Replace toys or put new toys in (No soft toys for Electra or Aurae’s puppies since they eat them)
7. Return puppies gently

⭐ 1. Feeding Tasks (Do these first)

1A. Feed Barnyard Dogs

Feed them as soon as you arrive so they can eat while you work

1B. Feed Goats (if goats are in stalls)

Always check the stalls.
If goats are there → they need to be fed.

1C. Feed Barnyard Birds

• Scoop food from the feed barrel outside the fence

• Throw most food inside the fence for the ducks

• Scatter some outside for chickens

• Make sure everyone can reach some food

⭐ 2. Waterers

2A. Clean Barnyard Nelson Waterers

Use the same method as the Puppy Parlor Nelson waterers.

2B. Clean the Big Water Troughs in the Barnyard and Inside the Barn at Least Once per Week

These get dirty quickly.

1. Lift one end and tip over to dump water out

2. Swish it back and forth with the incoming water

3. Dump again if needed

4. Set upright — it will refill automatically

⭐ 3. Cleaning the Barnyard

• Pick up dog poop

• Remove wasted hay

• Pick up chewed-up bottles and trash

• Clean goat stalls or barn kennels as needed 

• Rake the areas under the barn overhang in front of the stalls
• Sweep the tackroom and the barn patio

🧹 SECTION 3 — END OF SHIFT

Before leaving:

• Put all tools back where they belong

• Close and lock gates

• Dump collected trash into the big rolling trash bins – bring them to the driveway if they are full

• Bring all the wheelbarrows you filled to the driveway

• Write down or text me with any important notes (injuries, low food, etc.)

• Record arrival + departure times

• Check off your task list for the day

Thank you for helping keep the farm running smoothly — every job you do here directly improves the animals’ health and quality of life!