Pony+Express

__ Our Questions __

__What are they taking to each other?__ They are carrying saddlebags filled with the nation's hopes and dreams (letters).

__ Do the riders have money, do they get paid and how much? __ Pony Express riders were paid $100 - $125 a month.

__Do they fall off or do they get trained?__ Pony Express riders did special training to to help them stay balanced on the horse.

__Why do they jump from one horse to another?__ To refresh the old horse so it doesn't collapse from the long distance it has to run.

__How many horses did it take for a whole day of riding?__ It took dozens of horses to get through a full day of riding.

__When did the pony express start?__ It started in 1861.



__How did they sign up to be a rider?__ Notices were posted in town when riders were needed.

__How many times did they switch horses in one run?__ It depended on the distance. Each station was 5 - 20 miles apart.

__Who was the first pony express rider?__ We are not sure, but here is a webpage that has many riders and their history, [].

__Is there a delivery timeframe?__ Oregon missionary Marcus Whitman proposed in 1843 using a relay of “fresh horses” to deliver mail from the Missouri to the Columbia in forty days.

__How many people did the pony express?__ Approximately 80 riders were in use at any one time. In addition to riders, some 400 other employees were used including station keepers, stock tenders and route supervisors.

__Do people still use the pony express?__ The Pony Express is only used as a hobby now.

__What was the first country to start Pony Express?__ The Pony Express was started in the United States of America.

__If a rider leaves a horse and gets on another one, where does the abandoned horse go?__ The stock tenders and station keepers look after it.

__Who feeds the horses and riders?__ The station keepers.

__Do the rider ride horses or ponies?__ Horses.

__What happens when they need to go to the toilet?__ Not sure, but we think they would have to stop and go to the toilet, then carry on.

__How do they carry the delivery?__ In saddlebags.

__If you would like more information about th Pony Express you could visit__ []