Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Brule.
Hi Nicole, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Our first family pony came to us by way of a very long story that involved an auction house, a bidding war because he was just so dang cute, and a dear friend that decided my daughter needed to grow up with this sweet little soul of a horse, Rolo. (Also lovingly referred to as Rolito and Rolo Polo). When this same dear friend was planning her wedding in 2025, she asked if we could bring Rolo to her cocktail hour to serve drinks from baskets that he would carry around on his back. Similar to other animals that have been doing this concept for years, but with added special meaning behind it for her. My husband went to his shop and made Rolo his own custom pack saddle, we sourced baskets and flowers and got him all suited up! In the process of this, I realized there are companies that offer other types of animals, but no ponies… in Texas?! I saw a void in the market and thought “how fun!” And let’s be real, Rolo is adorable and as sweet as his namesake, so surely others are bound to fall in love with him as much as our family has. Rolo and I hit the ground running and have been working our tails off to make our hoof print throughout the Hill Country of Texas ever since the beginning of 2025! After starting to work a bit, I realized Rolo would need a little partner to share the workload so we added Rowdy to the crew in mid-2025. In March of 2026, we also added the newest little Barbie dream horse, Honey. We pride ourselves on our customer service, communication, and well-behaved (as well as well-groomed) ponies! With the support of my husband, friends, family, and fellow vendors all over the state of Texas, what started as a dream in my kitchen, has turned into such a fun business for our family and our farm!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t necessarily say it was a smooth road… more like a bumpy backroad that the county hasn’t repaved in decades. I still work my day job at a dental office during the week and try to be a present wife and mom to my husband and two kiddos that are the heart and soul behind everything that I do. Between truck breakdowns, flat tires, missing school activities, missing bedtime stories, a pony health scare (don’t worry y’all, he’s fine! Just a tad bit dramatic.), and so many things in between, it hasn’t been easy to continue to grow the business. One of the very first comments I ever received after publicly launching was that this whole idea was “just silly” and “good freakin’ luck”. At times I’ve thought, yeah, what am I even doing? But if nothing else, I’m showing my kids that they can do literally anything they set their minds too. Even if people think it’s “just silly”.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Pub Pony?
The Pub Pony is a one-of-a-kind mini pony beverage service, thoughtfully designed to elevate cocktail hour and create unforgettable moments. We’re a family-owned and operated business with a love for thoughtful details, genuine hospitality, and a hint of western charm.
We pride ourselves on our sweet ponies, Rolo, Rowdy, and Honey, that are the heart of it all. With their calm, friendly personalities and undeniable charm, they have a way of turning heads and making guests, of all ages, smile from the moment they arrive. Their demeanors, behavior, and how well-groomed they are is what I believe sets us apart from others. Are they animals? Sure. Do they arrive smelling like it? Absolutely not. Are they safe to be around and well-behaved? Of course! We put time and energy into making sure our horses are overall healthy and well-groomed so that they are sure to live life to their fullest on a daily basis. Their happiness shows outwardly.
I’m proud of our brand for being a family owned and operated business. When people ask who will be answering their emails? Me. Who answers the phones? Me. Who will be at their event? Me (or my husband when we’re double booked. He’s the only other one I trust to drive our babies in the trailer haha!)
While we’re typically seen at cocktail hour serving beverages, we’re happy to adjust our services to fit just about any request! We’ve done galas, birthday parties for adults, Cinco de Mayo festivities, baby showers, graduation parties, Derby Day parties, etc. Our services can be very versatile.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Animals aren’t always easy and you never know what you’re going to get when you bring a new addition onto the farm. While things might not always go as perfectly as possible, we have truly been blessed with some of the sweetest little souls. People will ask how we managed to get three ponies for the business that are all so sweet — luck and patience with them! We strive to give all of our animals a safe place to land and live their happiest lives and we think that shows through them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thepubpony.com/
- Instagram: @thepubpony
- Facebook: The Pub Pony
- Other: TikTok: @the.pub.pony
Image Credits
Robin Rogers Photography
Stories by Nikki
AlexandraT Photography
Julia Davis Photography
MKL Photography
Angela King Photography
