Horsey mums - I need your help!

Mare Stare

Mare Stare

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Hello people!

My name is Lisa Davies and I am a psychology student at the Open University. As part of my studies, I am conducting a research project that contributes to my degree.

My project explores how female horse riders assess risks and adapt their riding behaviour after having children. My hope is that the findings will shed some light on why many women experience a lack of confidence when returning to horse riding after having a child.

You must be 18 or over, have had at least one child and regularly participate in horse riding. You will be asked questions on whether you feel that becoming a mother has impacted how you ride. Questions will be presented as statements that you can agree, disagree or have no feelings either way.


The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete


Click here for survey



Thank you!!!!
 
Very interesting topic, I was literally discussing this with another mum friend the other day, I definitely have found a change in how I approach riding now! I’ve completed it, good luck with your project!
 
I have completed but as I am an adoptive parent the questions about childbirth weren't relevant to me so I answered neither agree or disagree. I hope your research goes well.
 
Thank you so much everyone so far! My tutor was convinced that my subject was "too niche" and wouldn't get many responses so I'm determined to prove him wrong!
Midlifecrisis said:
I have completed the survey but one is still a mother even if you don’t have children under the age of 18, perhaps you should indicate that only mothers with children under 18 should complete it…or did I misread the preamble?
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Fabulous feedback, thank you! I hadn't even thought about that despite having adult children myself! I've added those options in.
 
Mare Stare said:
Thank you so much everyone so far! My tutor was convinced that my subject was "too niche" and wouldn't get many responses so I'm determined to prove him wrong!

Fabulous feedback, thank you! I hadn't even thought about that despite having adult children myself! I've added those options in.
Click to expand...
Haha he’s wrong!! Niche is good in my experience (I’m a dissertation supervisor) assuming you get a few responses! Good luck
 
The questions try to ‘lead’ the responder so that would be a weakness of this research. You are trying to get the answer you want with how you have written the questions.

In some cases I feel my age has far more to do with it than having had children. I say this as someone who jumped back on a couple of days after the second child and galloped across the field bareback… and who rode that same horse until 34 weeks of pregnancy the first time (second time only didn’t because of my medical issues). I have always been cautious as a rider due to my hypermobility and tendency to cause myself injury, but mostly I would say I ride now pretty much as I did before the children - youngsters and all. Just, as before, doing things sensibly. I was never someone who ignored the risks.
 
I'm a bit with Maya . I actually feel more confident now than I have in a long time, but that's because riding umpteenth number of nutters wore away my confidence over 20 years and riding some steady Eddie's have brought me back to enjoying livelier horses again. I don't think it's related to having a child, it's more age and circumstances.
 
I have completed this. Interesting topic as ever since I had my toddler my confidence has evaporated and I really struggle with intrusive thoughts towards things going wrong whilst riding. It's really affecting my enjoyment at the moment and I have the most lovely ex racer who really looks after me and its not his fault at all. Compared to the horses I used to ride a few years ago I just can't take the risk anymore!
 
Done.
I answered as if I had comparatively recently had children, not a truth by a long chalk, then realised there was a question about my age
Perhaps the survey should ask the age question earlier and perhaps direct mothers whose children are now adult whether the answers should reflect the situation now or when the children were under 18.
 
Midlifecrisis said:
I have completed the survey but one is still a mother even if you don’t have children under the age of 18, perhaps you should indicate that only mothers with children under 18 should complete it…or did I misread the preamble?
Click to expand...

Yeah, my youngest is 17 and I'm worse now than when they were little!
 
94lunagem said:
I’m child free so can’t help you in answering your survey. But I’m surprised your tutor thinks it’s too niche, there’s a boat load of horse riding mothers out there!
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I know! He must have lived a very sheltered horse-free life! 😆


I've had 145 responses in just over 24 hours from here and FB - you people are amazing! Thank you so much!

The more the merrier though - please keep doing it!
 
Meredith said:
Done.
I answered as if I had comparatively recently had children, not a truth by a long chalk, then realised there was a question about my age
Perhaps the survey should ask the age question earlier and perhaps direct mothers whose children are now adult whether the answers should reflect the situation now or when the children were under 18.
Click to expand...
Agreed. It was at the beginning when I submitted it for review. Then it was moved and not by me. I'm just rolling with it.
 
Mare Stare said:
I know! He must have lived a very sheltered horse-free life! 😆


I've had 145 responses in just over 24 hours from here and FB - you people are amazing! Thank you so much!

The more the merrier though - please keep doing it!
Click to expand...
Oh fabulous well done!

Yes he clearly hasn’t had much involvement with horse riders, we are all worriers! 🤪
 
Done. I think it’s important to make that distinction between new mums and mums of adult children because age and perceptions of risk do change as our kids get older. But that is a thread you can pick on when you are discussing your results and how well the methodology worked. Good luck - hope it all goes well!
 
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