Horse + toddler. Advice needed!!

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amjac01

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I have a horse on DIY at a busy yard/working farm and a 15 month old boy who's main hobby is running headlong into the path of danger! Just about to start bringing in for the winter and its suddenly dawned on me I'm not quite sure how I'm going to get through winter and keep both horse and child alive!!

..so I posted on Mumsnet asking for tips from anyone who'd done this. Bad idea!! I got ten replies, all pretty much saying it wasn't possible! Everyone who'd been there had either ended up moving yards, going on to full livery or going to the yard at 5am to be back before hubby needed to get ready for work. Am now very concerned about what I'm letting myself in for!

Just wondered if anyone here has managed it and if so, how?? Any tips greatly appreciated!
 
Sorry you've had such a negative response. I did it many years ago when I was working with Hunters, just made sure that there was always things on hand to occupy my son, we had a spare stable that he was allowed to play in. I'm sure that there are lots of mums on here that cope that could offer you some advice x
 
I found a DVD player in the car was perfect for the times when they absolutely needed to be kept away from the horses.
Also an IPad/tablet with some child friendly games on was a life saver.
I've only ever been on DIY/on my own & with 2 of the boisterous children ever but it can be done.
 
can u drive onto the yard and put him in the car seat? get a dvd on the seatback in front of him . or as patterdale said strap in buggy in an empty stable or feed room
 
Have you had him in a carrier? You can get them for older children, we have one for our three year old (great at shows), great for tired little legs or simply keeping them close and having your hands free. Dd will go to sleep in a back carrier. Ours is a preschool carrier by Rose and Rebellion, they do other sizes. It roils up into a little bag. You could go to a "sling meet" and check them out to see if it would be practical/safe. I don't have a horse anymore so I have never handled a horse whilst wearing dd, how suitable would depend on how busy your yard is I suppose. I would not like to plunge into a throng of beasties all desperate to come in with dd on my back. It also depends on how sensible your horse is too. (I seem to be talking myself out of the idea!).
 
I saw your post on mumsnet but couldn't reply. Was going to suggest a lunge line, lol. A safe stable would be a great idea, else does he have a nap at a certain time of day where you can do your stable chores and leave him snoozing in his buggy? Alternatively is there anyone like a friend or relative who could take him for an hour while you do the yard chores? Surely it must be possible? Look forward to reading the replies.
 
A portable DVD player that can be watched either in the car if you can stay in sight of the car at all times or when strapped in the buggy. All I needed was one fireman Sam DVD which was watched over and over again. Couldn't have done it without as my son doesn't have much interest in the horses. Though he loves mixing feeds and filling water buckets.
 
Also agree with timing everything around nap times.
Or are there any other liveries who would watch him briefly whilst you do turning out etc. my son keeps all the teenage girls entertained in the tackroom which in turn keeps him occupied.
It's hard work but definitely do-able, your horse might have to be neglected for a couple of years until he starts school. My son is at pre school now so I get a full 2 1/2 hours per day!
 
Don't want to sound dim him (I don't have kids!), but at 15mths can't he be strapped in a pushchair without escaping? Surely you could do that and plonk the pushchair somewhere safe but still in view? Therefore he can still see you/what's going on and maybe learn a little bit?


That or get him a harness and tie him to a tie ring..??? (ok, so that'll probably be frowned upon! hehe :) )
 
Depending on time of day & weather, mine was either:
Strapped in car in view of stables
Strapped in big old pram in middle of yard (my own yard, so no liveries or others to worry about)
Strapped in pram & pushed into empty stable.
Harnessed & tied on lunge-line to gate

There, tell that to mumsnet :biggrin3:
 
Silvermiyazawa said:
Have you had him in a carrier? You can get them for older children, we have one for our three year old (great at shows), great for tired little legs or simply keeping them close and having your hands free. Dd will go to sleep in a back carrier. Ours is a preschool carrier by Rose and Rebellion, they do other sizes. It roils up into a little bag. You could go to a "sling meet" and check them out to see if it would be practical/safe. I don't have a horse anymore so I have never handled a horse whilst wearing dd, how suitable would depend on how busy your yard is I suppose. I would not like to plunge into a throng of beasties all desperate to come in with dd on my back. It also depends on how sensible your horse is too. (I seem to be talking myself out of the idea!).
Click to expand...

Jaycee said:
That or get him a harness and tie him to a tie ring..??? (ok, so that'll probably be frowned upon! hehe :) )
Click to expand...


LOL !![/QUOTE]

I used to have my nephew on a harness and lunge line at shows, people did chuckle. At home, our own yard, we popped him a stable with the terriers.

Always good at Weston Lawns, they had a demonstration lunge pen in which we could deposit a child and a terrier!!!
 
LadyT that was my thoughts exactly before having a child! Yes I can strap him in a buggy and its safe but you should hear the noise he makes if you leave him still for more than a few mins! Very hard work!

Thanks guys! I knew there must be a way! The iPad idea is genius! No spare stable but was hoping to shut him in mine (water buckets removed) while doing the short too and fro jobs within earshot. Do you think that's ok or a bit dodgy with the dust? Am not bothered about him eating/wearing a bit of muck if the mood takes him but I do wonder what damage the dust might do to little lungs..

Am very lucky that the walk up to the field is a proper track so I can get the buggy up all year. Have had horse 10 years and her manners are impeccable.
Child happy enough if buggy is moving but throws a strop if stopped for more than a few minutes!

Have got a backpack but you can't really muck out with it on (does your back in) and a bit dodgy going through field gates so would recommend sticking to a solid buggy to anyone thinking of trying it. They are good for shows though - and lunging/loose schooling/teaching etc.

Will also try to utilise nap times. Very sensible!

Thanks for all your suggestions. Am feeling so much more positive about it now and less like a cruel and unfit mother for dragging my child to such a dangerous place while I do other things! Where there's a will theres a way!
 
I have a 15 month old too. She's bonkers. There's no way on this earth she could be left strapped into a pram, car seat etc if she wasn't in the mood, and she basically doesn't nap(!!). My pony is out on loan but I still go over regularly and try to ride once a week. The one thing I cannot do is fetch in and turn out with her in tow - so I have to ask someone to do this for me.

Other than that, she is very happy in her backpack if I'm walking round the yard (we have a 2nd hand phil n teds one), it's awesome and she prefers it to her pushchair). I've just bought her some waterproof overalls (got them from Burghley) and she would be OK shut in a stable wearing that if I was in there too mucking out or something. She might eat some poo but we just wouldn't tell Daddy about that...

I think it's doable but you need help - and emergency help on standby if little one gets poorly (as they do).
 
Am sure I coukd persuade Mumsnet that tying child up to a fence is perfectly acceptable as long as you use a quick release knot and bailer band :-p
 
It is hard work but is doable if everything goes as normal.
My mare decided to follow an escapee through the electric fence. Trying to catch 2 loose horses with a toddler screaming at the gate proved a step to far. I moved to a part livery yard.
My children are my priority. If they are ill, I need to know the horse is sorted.
Yes, it is more money but for me, it is worth it for peace of mind.
 
I had to take the baby when we were loaning our first pony, baby was about 2 years old. At two she was too heavy for me to carry on my back. So, when it was quiet, she will just walk about with me. We had kid's chairs for both to use in the yard, plenty of treats too. But, her personality has always been quietish. No ipads or portable dvds back then :D

However, if the yard was busy, turnout in and out and people off riding, tractors in and out, etc ... she was in her buggy. A big second hand 3 wheeler. And it didn't matter how much she cried, and even kicked, she was safe and out of the way. You never know when a horse or cow (working farm) will go AWOL. It is hard to hear them cried, and sometimes she cried because if it was raining and the noise of the rain on the tin roof was too loud.

I had to mind two little kids. Her sister was the rider and she was only just 7.

So, for me the buggy worked to keep her safe. I could rolled her in/out of stable, into the sand school. As she grew they would both sometimes go down to the yard on their bikes :)
 
My little girl is 2.5yrs and the stages obviously change as they develop. I think you have to embrace kids and horses and although its hard work you can make it fun. Waterproof all in one a must. Backpack i used if leading horse back/forth to yard - now she is a bit bigger i have a fluffly bareback numnah with handle on so pop that on horse and her hat and she loves riding horse back and forth to field obviously i still hang on to her. Mini forks so they can help poo pick/muck out. Riding in wheel barrow when taking hay to fields and when it snows pile her plus hay and feeds in sledge and tow her along. Buckets full of warm water and bubbles and she spends ages washing friends lorry! Things can take longer than normal but thats like anything with kids, be creative and I think they learn so much and its great for them to be around horses and other people. You can do it!! p.s. I have made it easier for myself and my mare now lives out 24/7 so i only poo pick every morning instead of mucking out but realise this is not always an option but best thing I did and my horse stays fitter and is thriving!
 
Me&myhorse said:
My little girl is 2.5yrs and the stages obviously change as they develop. I think you have to embrace kids and horses and although its hard work you can make it fun. Waterproof all in one a must. Backpack i used if leading horse back/forth to yard - now she is a bit bigger i have a fluffly bareback numnah with handle on so pop that on horse and her hat and she loves riding horse back and forth to field obviously i still hang on to her. Mini forks so they can help poo pick/muck out. Riding in wheel barrow when taking hay to fields and when it snows pile her plus hay and feeds in sledge and tow her along. Buckets full of warm water and bubbles and she spends ages washing friends lorry! Things can take longer than normal but thats like anything with kids, be creative and I think they learn so much and its great for them to be around horses and other people. You can do it!! p.s. I have made it easier for myself and my mare now lives out 24/7 so i only poo pick every morning instead of mucking out but realise this is not always an option but best thing I did and my horse stays fitter and is thriving!
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Ooh you have just removed several self imposed barriers on having another horse!
 
Hehe, I am 5 months pregnant with baby number 2 so it hasnt put me off doing horses and babies but i wouldnt get another horse however a pony is another matter ;-)
 
I do fulltime farming + 18mo and it's OK. Now she's getting to the stage where you can trust her to walk alongside with feedbuckets etc, but of course if it involves loose animals or me not within grabbing distance she just has to be strapped into her buggy somewhere safe within view no matter what. Luckily she finds it entertaining, and the dogs do their bit playfighting in front of her. Sometimes she does cry, but I save crisps and things she likes for buggytime, and try to time naps well!
 
Ah well you see the noise wouldn't bother me. As long as I knew they were safely strapped in somewhere then they can make as much noise as they liked! (much the same as when I first got my recue dog and had to tie her up at the stables for 6am winter mucking out - barking non-stop!_

I figure the 'dangerous' times are when you're bringing horse in right? Once horse is in, is it not then safe to 'release' child from holding area to do food mixing etc?

I mean, actually in reality and for means of safety, if you did have to attach child to rope and tie ring for a few seconds whilst nipping in to stable, is it really the worst thing?

As said, maybe I know nothing as not a parent but I figure you have to thing practically in these situations! :-)
 
My eldest is three now, she has had to come with me to do horses since she was born. I have had anywhere between 10 - 20 to look after. When very tiny I timed most trips into her nap times, car was parked next to wherever I was working and I just had to do everything fast!! When a bit older she came in the pushchair and graduated from there. She has had behaviour around horses instilled since she could understand any and all words! It was imperative that she was well behaved and safe.

Having said that she can be a madam! BUT if I tell her to stand in a certain place whilst I deal with a horse, I know she will still be there. She wouldn't do the same at home!

All my horses had to get used to seeing the pushchair and the subsequent screaming. They range from foals to elderly animals and most are TB or TBx. They are all fine with a pushchair and will happily lead behind from field to yard. Any who may have been a bit dubious got a lesson in following the pushchair with feed bucket in (minus child obviously!). Works a treat!

Now have 12 week old baby as well as toddler and nine horses. This little one not quite so well behaved ;-) but we are getting there! It is manageable! Just remember to give your self plenty of time and some ear plugs on occasion. It really is a fantastic lifestyle to offer children. Out in healthy fresh air, learning about good old fashioned hard work and perseverance! As well as respect for other living creatures :-)
 
I have a 14 month old, horses are at home so it is maybe a bit easier as I can try and get up early and ride and do them before my husband goes to work and after he gets back although when the mornings and evenings get dark that might get harder. I generally put him in his pushchair with snacks whilst I bring in and whilst the horses are out on the yard but when they are not he is happy to 'help' by pushing the broom around or moving pony nuts from one bowl to another - keeps him happy for ages! He also loves hiding my hoof picks so I can't find them and plunging his whole arm in any water he can find. I take him into the field poo picking as I do it when the horses are in and it takes ages longer than normal but he enjoys running around the field.

If necessary I can bring in/turn out with the back carrier on, the horses are used to it now and I don't feel there is any danger to him but I find it so heavy that I only do it if he just won't sit in the pushchair!
 
Although I'm at a private stables (only three horses there) and can let my son round around because it's all enclosed and he can't get out, when I'm riding or something and he is misbehaving I put him in the tack room! He has a bag of toys in there, juice, snacks and he will happily sit in there playing. On days where he feels like behaving he has his own wee toddler sized picnic chair which he plonks at one end of the school to watch me ride.

Cheeky wee sod is three and all you can hear is 'get him to walk on!' 'tell him to go faster!' 'sit up straight mummy!'

He loves to help though. I give him jobs like filling up water buckets and soaking hay with the hose, collecting feed buckets etc. He has his own wheelbarrow and dustpan and brush for picking up piles and takes them to the muck heap :)
 
It can be done but agree imagination and lots of extra time needed. My son has no self preservation at all so if the horses are anywhere near he has to be shut in a stable or pallet in front of the feed room door so he could see out but not get out or strapped in pushchair. I found a handful of corn for the chickens kept him entertained for easily enough time to turn out!
So I made sure I got horses out first and in last so almost all of the time he was running around, playing with water buckets, invest in a small plastic shovel and light weight broom and he'll 'help'. He plays in an old tractor in the truck etc. I had to accept the small odd injury (like when he climbed a spare five bar gate and pulled it over on himself!) - but he is now very physically well developed, great coordination and balance to the point people comment on how well he can climb/ throw etc.

I think you'd be luck to find something entertaining enough to last while you did everything but if you're just looking for 10 mins while you get in/ turn out that's easily possible.

When the farrier was here last he had to be shut in the stable as I had to hold the pony while he was trimmed and couldn't be in two places at once - he screamed full volume the whole time, poured water on the floor and lay in it so was soaked and covered in muck ! Farrier is next booked for when OH is at home !!!!
 
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