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Post by basilhorse on Dec 28, 2010 18:45:17 GMT 1
...go to the yard with you and be trusted to be out of the buggy or car around the horses while you muck out, fill haynets and groom (not thinking riding here)?
Any safety measures you took other than installing eyes in the back and sides of your head?
Did they follow you to the field to catch and turn out at the same age or was that later seeing as there would be loose horses about in that situation?
I have 2 TBs and a young QH if that helps - so I'm not talking tiny ponies here
Thanks
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Post by sarahbing on Dec 28, 2010 19:07:32 GMT 1
Really tricky question basilhorse and I understand why you ask. My two elder children went to the yard with me from the start, but my horses were on full livery then so I could give the children my full attention.
Now, with the hoses at home, my youngest who is three, is often on the yard when i muck out. The horses are completely happy with him running about, on his trike, shouting and doing all the very noisy spooky things boys do.
However, a note of caution. Accidents can and do happen with small people and horses at the least expected moment. I took him down the other night, a lovely snowy evening and he wanted to ride his scooter. My husband(who is non horsey) was there too. The horse were in, and my husband offered to top up the water buckets. I was in the field and looked up to see Murphy barge my husband out the way, knocking him across the yard and gallop out of the stable. My three yo was a few feet away on his scooter, thank god and was not in the line of fire, but it still made my blood run cold. My husband was fine by the way!! This is a horse who has never done anything similar ever, so I suppose what I am saying is take them , it is part of growing up and a lovely experience, but never let your guard down, even with the safest of horses.
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Post by gordo on Dec 28, 2010 19:08:02 GMT 1
As soon as Darcy was walking she was allowed to toddle around after me when poo picking. Horses never on yard at that point but, when they are, at 2 1/2 she is kept a strict eye on. My eldest was dragged around after me from 2 as I worked on a livery yard - many rules broken but I was young and had horrid boss  Safety first at all times as they get in the naughtiest of places!! |
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Post by Lulu on Dec 28, 2010 19:09:28 GMT 1
I got Star when my girls were 3 and 1yrs old. To start with I only rode when husband was at home with the kids, but as the girls grew up I'd let them come and help me muck out, as long as they were with me. They've grown up around horses and I'd let them walk with me to turn the horses out, and walk back down again. They learn a lot by example and are safer at your side than milling around the yard loose (unless all the horses are out in the field). I never left them alone at all as young children, and even now they're 12 and nearly 14yrs old, they've been going down to the yard every day since they were 5 and 7yrs old !
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Post by Lulu on Dec 28, 2010 19:12:09 GMT 1
When my children were really little, a 4yr old used to try dominating them (as thats what youngsters do) and would try and chase them (thats why I told them to hold my hand), and I would send her away. Just be aware that young horses are more curious of young children than older horses. I think some (not all) horses see very tiny young children as a subject to terrorise !
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Post by basilhorse on Dec 28, 2010 19:28:51 GMT 1
Wow you're all saying much younger than I'd thought. At the moment I'm still doing everything with my daughter in my backpack carrier. It is hard work. I don't have a yard at the moment, just a field, so the horses are loose so I wouldn't want her wandering about at the moment but next year I will make sure I have some sort of fencing to keep her and the horses separate while I muck out the field shelter. I would like her to grow up around the horses but was unsure at what age I'd be happy letting her on the yard while the horses are there. I was probably thinking nearer 5 than 2 to be honest with you but am glad to hear people do manage with younger children it gives me something to think about. I think I will err on the side of caution because of my youngster. He is a lovely calm boy but you never know with youngsters do you. Thanks everyone. It's really helpful to hear everyone's experiences  . ETA. That must have been so scary sarahbing. So glad no-one was hurt |
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Post by highlanderpony2002 on Dec 28, 2010 19:32:05 GMT 1
Mine went all the time and graduated from pushchair to toddling about but were mostly there when the ponies were not they could only go out to the field with the ponies when they were old enough to obey the command to stay well back and follow along a private road
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Post by basilhorse on Dec 28, 2010 19:34:06 GMT 1
they could only go out to the field with the ponies when they were old enough to obey the command to stay well back and follow along a private road How old were they then? Sorry my daughter is my first so I'm a bit clueless LOL |
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Post by highlanderpony2002 on Dec 28, 2010 20:52:32 GMT 1
About three or four when they were capable of understanding it was dangerous to follow too closely. younger than that they used to sit on the pony while I worked around them. The babies were the first to sit on some of my yearlings while they were being groomed as they were often safer on top than under their feet and highland yearlings are usually pretty solid in both size and temperament. Depends on the child though if you have one that wont pay attention to you they need to be older.
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Post by basilhorse on Dec 28, 2010 20:54:43 GMT 1
Thank you |
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varkie
Grand Prix Poster
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Post by varkie on Dec 28, 2010 21:45:41 GMT 1
My daughter has been going to the yard since she was five days old! When she was a baby she stayed in the car or her buggy and later on, her push along bike. I did at some points lead my mare in one hand and her buggy / bike in the other hand. I'd like to emphasise however that I'd be very wary of doing this routinely with horses - my mare is something special, and I know her inside out. Even in the event she were startled or there was an accident, she is incredibly self aware & never runs into objects / people. As my daughter got older, she was allowed to walk, but either had to stay on the other side from my mare holding my hand, or way in front, or way behind. That pretty much remains the same today, with the exception that Willow is sometimes allowed to lead my big mare. I think it comes down to knowing your horse & your child. I trust my mare implicitly, I have had her since she was weaned, she is 12 now. And she is brilliant with my daughter. She is 14.3hh, yet ironically I won't let my daughter lead our 11.1hh pony, who has less manners, and can buck. It is not something I would do routinely with any child, nor any horse. It comes down to the relationship you have with both - both my child & my horse know that when I say things in a particular tone there is no discussion, and both of them have a good relationship with each other. I don't ever let me child loose in the paddock if the big horses are loose, unless she is stood right next to me. My horses would never, ever hurt me, not even by accident I believe - they have great respect for my space. And my daughter may only go in their stables under my direct supervision. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer with this one, it has to depend on lots of individual circumstances. You do what is right based on yourself, your child, your horse, your setup. This is my daughter (4 years old) with my mare this summer just gone:  |
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maislow
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Post by maislow on Dec 28, 2010 22:55:54 GMT 1
Mine have always been around the horses. I would suggest maybe a body protector & hat when around the horses.
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Post by KoLaTo on Dec 28, 2010 23:05:27 GMT 1
As a single mum, mine fortunately has been with me since birth with my horses and had her own pony since 4 & 1/2 so she has grown up hyper aware of the size and strength and unpredictability of them. She has always even from toddler age been spacially aware of where the ponies sharp ends are and just followed by example of where to walk etc.
Some lucky children have an innate sense with animals and i am blessed that my daughter is one of those children. My friends son on the other hand, also been around her horse on the yard since birth, has no such sense and has to be constantly watched as he careers around the yard weaving thru legs, near gives me a heart attack when he is around................
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lizr
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Post by lizr on Dec 28, 2010 23:26:20 GMT 1
My daughter is 2 1/2 and has been following me around "helping" me since she could walk. Initially I did try to keep her in the pushchair but it got to the point she refused to go in it! So now she helps out, and I keep an eye on her. It does mean that things take twice as long as they would if I am by myself but I love seeing her in the open air, around the horses enjoying herself and it is something we can enjoy together.
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Post by wabuska on Dec 28, 2010 23:32:03 GMT 1
My daughter is six, and I have to say, even though my horses are exceptionally kind, I don't let her anywhere near any horse unless she's under my strict supervision. If I'm not there handling the horse with her at the horse's head, it doesn't happen. If I'm turning out, she on the other side of the fence when they are let go. They have zero sense and no physical defences at this age.
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