How old were your children when YOU purchased a new horse?

[S.AAnderson]

I am finally in a position to buy myself a horse after many years out of the saddle (uni/work/kids), however the reason I am holding back is due to having young children (2 & 4yrs old). For the past 12 months I have been having weekly private lessons which have successfully dusted away the cobwebs, and helped restore my confidence in general horsemanship.

As much as I would LOVE to buy a horse now, I am trying to choose the sensible option and wait until my girls are old enough to come down the yard with me. They both love visiting the horses, but due to their age I tend to leave them at home with my husband when I ride. With his hectic work schedule if I buy a horse now I would only be able to ride it twice a week max (without the kids tagging along).

I would love to hear from other's personal experience about what age they felt comfortable bringing their children to the stables with them.

Many thanks!

 

[meleeka]

I had horses when both mine were born so they came from birth! Admittedly I’m not on a livery yard so that made things easier. I could arrange things so that kids were safe and I didn’t have to worry about anyone else. I don’t have a school so rode in the field when OH wasn’t around for babysitting.

How about a share for starters? That way you don’t have to commit to every day and can gain experience of horse ownership before you buy.

 

[planete]

I had horses before children and rode before OH left for work. If you are on a yard, many will veto children unless supervised by adults at all times.

 

[HeyMich]

When my youngest was about 1 (when I started to emerge from the baby-brain-fog) I started a local part share, riding 2-3 days per week. It worked really well with my OH being able to look after the rugrats and me getting a bit of head space.

I then rode/exercised an eventer for a friend for a few months, then bit the bullet and bought my own, so youngest sprog was about 3 if I remember correctly. I had her on full/assisted livery though, as I went back to work 4 days a week. I trusted the yard to look after her when I couldn't get there, and didn't feel bad if work/house/kids meant I couldn't ride more than once a week. I had a mid-week sharer for a while and also paid a pro to ride/lunge at least once a week. She was happy there, and I loved my horsey time away from the rugrats!

It's all different now - when I ever get the chance to ride, the kids ride with me - most of my spare time is taken up with pony club activities, so I'm back to needing my own space/time to ride again! BUT I wouldn't have it any other way.

You'll know when the time is right, but make sure there is help in place so your hobby doesn't become a chore!

.

 

[Shay]

My daughter was 4. And 6 when I broke my back in a fall and had to sell... but we used the funds to buy her first pony and she never looked back!

 

[Bobbit]

6 and 7 they love helping at the yard although often I wouldnt call it helping . They're both at school now which gives me time in the week to ride.

 

[AUB]

15 months.

 

[Flyermc]

it very much depends on your work hrs and help you have. I had my horse before my children, however i very sadly lost him when my little girl was 3.5years and my boy was 6 months old.

For me it was very difficult to fit everything in around work (working 32hrs) kids, horse time and family time. I constantly felt that everything was compromise and i was rushing to get everything done. Despite mine and my vets best efforts, i sadly lost my pony after a field injury.

As much as id love to still own my boy and have him with us, i would never choose to be in that situation again with young kids and working. I wasnt able to put the details and care that i had done with my boy, for the previous 15 years (before kids) and i hated having to drag my kids to the yard, when they wasnt that interested, or leaving my kids with there dad while i went to the yard (weekends ended up being separated and not family time) It just wasnt much fun and of course horses are not cheap.