Leading toddler in hand

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laura_nash

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I'm really struggling to give my HW cob enough exercise at the moment, he's a good doer and needs to work to keep the flab away (yes, he is also on a very strict diet). I work full-time and have a 2yr old daughter, time and money are both in short supply. I have plenty of time on Saturdays, but no baby-sitter and my daughter is not the type to happily sit in her pushchair and watch me ride (or happily sit around anywhere really, she likes to be involved in everything). I've been considering putting her on his back and taking the two of them for a walk in-hand. We have lots of steep hills around here so it would give him some work even in walk. I do have a back-pack so could walk him in hand with her in that but I think it might kill me! I would take the back-pack with me so we could get home if she got upset or frightened.

I don't have much experience of kids riding (I started riding late and am on an all adult yard), is this a possibility or a mad idea? Presumably I would need to get a special saddle (and a toddler size helmet)? Obviously we would practice in the school and make sure she was okay before venturing out.

He is a very safe horse (despite being pretty rusty when I got him I've only hit the deck once in 4 yrs of riding him and that was when we both went over at a gallop). When spooked he usually just stands still and snorts until he gets over it, he's never spun around etc with me. It would unfortunately have to be on road, but they are very quiet roads (more likely to meet a cow than a car). This is very much just an idea at the moment, she has sat on him a few times bareback when he was tied up but thats as far as it got, just wanted to see what people thought.
 
Erm, big NO in my opinion. Your daughter will not be able to balance herself. 2 yr old children need a second adult to hold them on the pony, and I am assuming your horse is larger than, say, 13hh?

And as for the backpack or sling, again a no from me. What if your horse plays up? Your daughter could get squashed or kicked.

I think you should put her in her buggy outside of your schooling area and lunge the horse. I know you say she won't stay in a buggy, but sometimes young children have to do as they're told for their own safety.

Is her father not around for an hour on a saturday to look after her while you see to your horse?

Sorry not to be helpful, but I just think it's too dangerous. I hope you find a safe solution.

Just thinking, how about a sharer to ride him maybe twice a week?
 
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I agree with the above. Your daughter would be tired and fed up within minutes and she simply isn't physically able to sit on a horse unassisted while riding.

Could you get up very early in the morning and ride, while OH is looking after daughter?
Or find someone with a toddler a similar age and swop babysitting times?
 
A 2 year old would not be able to sit astride a HW cob, let alone remain balanced without support from someone on the ground, it would be far too risky in my view. I am not sure about the backpack either it does not sound ideal and if anything happened your child and horse could both be put at risk.
Could you offer a swap, someone could get free riding in exchange for babysitting every Saturday for a couple of hours, it would give you a chance to ride as well as getting him exercised a bit more regularly.
 
Okay, so thats a NO then.

I didn't think it was that insane an idea, the kid in this video (http://www.inky-dinky.co.uk/) is 2yrs old and riding a 14.2 (my boy is 14.2) and she's trotting on the lunge not walking in hand. If it isn't safe or will be bad for her physically then I will forget it, but I don't think she would be tired and fed up within minutes. She loves being out and about in the countryside (providing the weathers decent) and can walk and run about for hours.

I did try and find a sharer when I found I was pregnant but it seems HW cob = total beginner or totally terrified and I don't want someone yanking him in the mouth, kicking him every stride for no reason, or letting him drag them about to the hedges to graze. It took me a year to teach him to behave himself around edible things, go forwards off the leg and be responsive to the aids and unfortunately he reverts pretty quickly if badly ridden. Plus he's barefoot/unshod (whatever you want to call it) and the idea of putting boots on his front feet for long hacks seems to freak people out.

Her dad looks after her all day when I'm at work / stables, and on Sunday afternoons so I can squeeze in my one hack a week, so understandably feels I need to have her on Saturdays so he can get through the long list of DIY, car jobs etc that always seem to have appeared by then.

We get on okay usually doing the jobs together, grooming him etc and if she's cheerful and playing with something then there are a couple of (lovely) other liveries who will watch her for me while I give him a 20mins lunge if they aren't busy, I was just hoping to find a way to give him some more consistent exercise now the grass is starting to grow.

If a backpack is a no then how do other people with toddlers manage? I always use the backpack when turning out and bringing in. I wouldn't with a strange or new horse but have never considered it dangerous with mine providing the footing is good (didn't do it in winter when it got a bit muddy). I've been doing it for 18months and never had a worrying moment. I do know a lady who turns out / brings in pushing the pram but that seemed much more dangerous to me.
 
My daughter is coming up to 2 and half, on her lead rein pony she can walk out without anyone supporting her, however grabbing her coat is easy when her pony is only 11.2. she uses a cub saddle and always holds the handle, if she trots she has someone ready to grab, although hasn't needed it yet. She always wears her helmet and now she is tall enough will be using her bp too.
I would not put her on my 14.3 as it is too high to get a grip on her if needed
 
Maybe totally dumb question but can you break him to drive? Certainly when she's a little older its something you could both enjoy. It's tough isn't it having a child and horse. My daughter also point blank refused to be strapped into a pushchair and watch me and its my opinion that it shouldn't be forced. At that age it's not really fair to just expect them to sit quietly and wait for you. So I admire you for trying to involve her. Time go's quickly and you will look back one day and wish she was still tiny!
 
poiuytrewq said:
Maybe totally dumb question but can you break him to drive? Certainly when she's a little older its something you could both enjoy. It's tough isn't it having a child and horse. My daughter also point blank refused to be strapped into a pushchair and watch me and its my opinion that it shouldn't be forced. At that age it's not really fair to just expect them to sit quietly and wait for you. So I admire you for trying to involve her. Time go's quickly and you will look back one day and wish she was still tiny!
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Thanks poiuytrewq, thats not a dumb question at all, I have considered it. Its what he's bred for after all, we do see quite a few driving horses around our way and I have had a little bit of experience with driving so with a few lessons we might get on quite well. Definately something I would consider when she's a bit older, but I think I would struggle to do the initial training in my limited time and I can't really afford to have someone else do it all for me at the moment.

Its great to have someone agree with me about forcing a child to sit strapped into a pushchair if they don't want to, however useful it would be for me I really don't think its fair to expect an energetic 2yr old to just sit still for half an hour when they want to be up and about and doing things.

I know what you mean about the time going quickly, I can't believe how grown up she is already! The livery who most often helps out watching her for me has a grown son and loves spending time with her when she's cheerful and playing because she misses the toddler years so much.
 
You might not have the time or energy for this but could you take your little one swimming or to a play gym for an hour before going to your horse? Would she be likely to have a nap for 30 minutes then?

e.t.a. I don't mean every time but maybe once a week to get an extra session in with him.
 
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My son used to ride my 15:3hh welsh x tb bare back as a nearly 3 year old. But I knew my mare inside out and she was good as gold with him on her.
 
Surely the simple answer is to take the water bucket out of stable, fill treat ball with a child friendly snacks, place child in stable, close stable door and hey presto!! :D :D :D
 
I have a 22 month old daughter and I really sympathise with you. It's very difficult to find enough time to ride and it's easy to 'use up' all the babysitting available just to get chores done.

Having said that I wouldn't pop her on a horse. Two year olds are nowhere hear stable enough, she would at the very least need another adult next to her and taking her on the roads is just far, far too risky. Your horse doesn't even need to play up, all he needs to do is stumble or for you to come across a dangerous driver and things could go very badly wrong. I also would not lead with her in a backpack. In 17 years of horse ownership I have only been knocked over 3 times while leading but you only need it to happen once while you are carrying your daughter and it would be extremely dangerous for her.

Can you not pay for a babysitter once a week? Or put her in nursery for one morning?
 
The way I get round it with two children is to ride very early in the morning. Then I'm back inside just as hubby is getting them up and dressed and ive still got the whole day to enjoy tjem knowing that I've had a lovely ride. Would this be an option especially as we have lighter mornings now?
 
After seeing my 2yr old niece come off the shetland who was standing still but shuddered, leaving the little un on the floor winded, I personally wouldn't do it, and she only had 9.2hh between her and the ground. It knocked her confidence big time and I've never let her ride without someone holding her since.
 
Ok, I'll admit I did strap my toddler in to a backpack to take the horse out, but I long reined her instead of leading her, and she is a very trust worthy animal in hand. I wouldn't have done this with any other horse though I have to say. I also led her alongside the pushchair when we went out for walks. As soon as I fell pregnant with number two I had to stop with the carrier, horse or otherwise, as it was a killer and the extra weight made my hips ache too much.

Luckily now my daughter will occasionally sit on her trike whilst watching me lunge. The thought has drifted in to my head about leading her around on her, (she's 14hh) but I soon push it to the back of my mind and only do it when my mum or hubby is around.

OP, You are lucky to get free time to go to the stables! My OH works 7 days a week so I have to take my daughter with me all of the time.
 
I do my horsey duties before and after OHs work, 6am and 7pm. There is preschool a few hours per week, many have lunch clubs and cheaper than child care.
 
I brought a DVD player for the car for my 2. I can park next to the school and lunge whilst their are safely strapped in their car seats watching cartoons. It's my lifesaver.
 
i have ridden with my kids in front and behind me in the saddle on horses that i have known to be calm and quiet, my daughters was about 5 though. my old next door neighbour had a basket that the horse/pony wore and she used to put the kids in it and go for a walk.

i would pop her in front of me and off we go if the pony was very quiet and i could wander about off road. i know this wont be popular though
 
Its so hard isnt it, my daughter is 20 months and Ive got 4 retired horses and 1 youngster. The youngster should idealy be ridden at least twice a week but im absolutely struggling for time so I have enlisted a sharer. She's only rode once so far as I have still have to accompany her on hacks as she doesnt know the area at all but once she gets on her own two feet I hope she will take this constant pressure off me. I wouldnt put a toddler on something that size to be honest unless there was someone else to help as they do have a habit of doing crazy daredevil things without realising how much its going to hurt. Id be more tempted to work the horse in an arena and give little one something as a distraction nearby if its safe. Mine is over the moon with a little bucket of water or some horse food and a scoop.
 
I have a 3 month baby aswell as an 8 and 9yr old so i know how you feel with trying to find babysitters etc.
If i want to ride i have to go early - before everyone is out of bed and OH goes to work. I go about 630am and i am normally back for around 8am, before the kids and OH are in school/work. Now the lighter nights are here am also in the process of backing the 3yr old which again i do of an evening - around 6ish. Daytime is spent with baby and house work chores!!
I just go to bed early and have no problems getting up and going early :)
Am due back to work in July and baby will go to nursery during the day for a few hours, i work part time so riding will have to fit around nursery and work!

Is riding early/late an option for you OP? :)
 
Gypley said:
Surely the simple answer is to take the water bucket out of stable, fill treat ball with a child friendly snacks, place child in stable, close stable door and hey presto!! :D :D :D
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The fact I actually thought about this thought oohh, that could work really does prove I should never have kids :D :D ;)
 
I'd park right next to the school, wind down the window, give juice and biscuits then ride while they were happily munching. Or I used to combine it with nap time. We had one car that had DVD screen in the seats. It was brilliant for entertaining!
 
I too thought along the lines of shutting child in the stable :o ;)

*disclaimer it's okay I don't have children :o
 
Oh dear, I do have children and still thought that leaving her in the stable with toys and snacks was a good idea!

Seriously, the idea with parking the car next to the school if you can and trying to tie it in with nap time could work. As long as you can see her and she is safely strapped in she should be fine. Just as long as it's not too hot, but unlikely with our rubbish weather. If you're happy with her watching tv then a portable dvd player is a great idea.

Or find a flexible childminder that could have her for a couple of hours a few times a week. It would cost you a bit, but worth it for piece of mind.
 
I have 2 children,5 and 7. When they were younger I used to regularly long rein,lunge and lead out in hand with one of them in a back pack. Not ideal but it was fine. When they got a bit older i bought a leid rein pony and the oldest would ride that while I pushed my youngest in a push chair. Luckily now they r both capable riders and hack out with me - both off the lead rein. It was hard work at the time but we managed somehow.
 
I lead my little girl out around the block on my 15.2 and have done since she was around 3 and a half, so maybe 2 is a little young...but a lot of it depends on your daughter and her size and maturity in my opinion.
 
I must be a bad mummy too because I did everything with my old mare and my baby in her sling. She is now 4. Her brother (now 11 months) didn't like the sling so was parked up in his pushchair where possible. Evie used to ride in front of my daughter at about 2, only around the field or arena. At about 3 she started having a ride independently. Evie is also now at the age where she can take instruction and I could probably ride while she was playing in her sand pit, Bertie would not be happy to sit for that amount of time.

I manage because I keep my 4 at home and have a 21 year old daughter to help. We do the horses together in the mornings whilst OH get the kids up and dresses. On my work days she does the evening stables (in the winter when they are in). On my non working days I tend to lunge or long rein when babies are having their afternoon naps (using the baby monitor to keep tabs). In the winter it tends to be poo picking in the light and getting stables and hay ready for bringing in.

Riding is done in the evenings after they have gone to bed. At weekends my OH and I have an agreement that I have Sat AM and Sun PM to ride and he can do man things Sat PM and Sun AM, however this doesn't always work, and when we do 'family things' riding has to go by the wayside.

My two both go to nursery while I am at work, so occasionaly I take a day annual leave or a flex day and spend it riding with no children - bliss
 
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