Mums with horses - anyone find it a challenge?

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SnowandSunshine

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Following the old thread which has popped up again about mums with children and horses, dogs etc does anyone else find it a challenge?

I have two littlies, 21month son and 10month daughter. I have my mare on DIY, she's getting on a bit so it doesn't matter if she doesnt' get ridden much.
I try to time it so my little girl is asleep in the car while I muck out but my son is a bit of a monkey and I can't take my eyes off him. I am constantly worrying he'll jump in a water trough, eat something horrible off the ground, climb up a gate, fall off the muck heap ramp etc or just run out of the gates and disappear!
He's ended up in hospital from drinking water he shouldn't have. He went through a stage of screaming and getting himself in a complete state as I have to leave them in the car while I leg it to the field to get the horses in.
I hate doing this - I leave them in their car seats and it takes all of 5mins to get the horses in but I can't see the kids and if there's no one else on the yard its horrible leaving them.
There's absolutely no way I would be able to ride in the school and leave him in a pram or in the car.
I do find it all quite stressful, my time at the yard used to be relaxing and fun, now I just rush to get it done!
I'm hoping it'll get easier as they get older!!!
 
Do you not have a parent or another friend with a horse and children so you could look after each others for a while whilst you sort your horses out? Can you not arrange it so your OH looks after them?
 
Hey there, I can relate to how you are feeling :)

I have two small boys, one is now 4 and the other turning 2 and it has been hard work keeping up the horse throughout but I get so much enjoyment out of having her (and the kids :) ) that I wouldn't have it any other way, although of course it would be nice if I had baby-sitters to help me while I do the horse but that is not possible.

My 4-year old is now in pre-school and soon to start school so I tend to spend most of the time up the yard just with one now - which strangely seems so much easier now than it did when there was just one... Little one often falls asleep in the car on the way up to the yard and then I just get on with things and for riding I park the car next to the arena to be able to see and hear him. If it is nice and he is awake, he gets strapped in his buggy for 30 mins while I am riding (plus horse handling time as I don't think it would be safe otherwise) and he has become used to it and waits patiently (most of the time...) yes, I sometimes feel guilty for it but less so when I think that other kids spend lots of time in front of the telly while my son is watching some real life stuff in the fresh air, sometimes it is good to be bored too!

My husband takes the boys at the weekend so I can enjoy the horse alone - and hack out - which I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate and it refreshes me for the week...

Hang on in there!

xxx
 
flowerlady said:
Do you not have a parent or another friend with a horse and children so you could look after each others for a while whilst you sort your horses out? Can you not arrange it so your OH looks after them?
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My mum has them sometimes but she's quite busy so I don't like to ask her too much. My husband is great and does help when he can but I have to do horsey in the afternoon due to yard bring in times.
Thanks for replies, I think it probably doesn't help that they're both so young, I'm sure it'll improve once my little boy gets a bit older and starts to enjoy helping out. Shame no-one at the yard has a cute shetland for him to play with!
I've just managed to find myself a sharer so hopefully that'll help a bit!
 
all i will say is quote from my daughter (not only unselfish but beautiful girl 22 yrs) "My childhood was amazing ponies fun air and running around" - get your little ones involved - mucking out ( ok you have to do it again lol) grooming and if horse is quiet let them lead in or sit on back( with hat on)as leading in - my childhood was a mass of sarnies stuffed in a pocket and head off for day on moors - now its so intense to show - let litttle ones help(word help used loosely here) but let them learn to enjoy and love the beuatiful horse/pony :)
 
I have three children, two girls 8 and 6 and a little boy 3, he is hard work, I have 10 horses, 6 dogs, I work as well. My oh is great we do it al together. In winter I am on my own tbh last year was too cold, plus oh has to work late through winter. Don't stress it will get better and eaiser. My little boy has not been a buggy since he was 18 months yes they all get dirty, but they love it.
 
Hey, just another thought - buy your older one a small wheelbarrow he can "help" now - mine started around his age or a bit earlier - when it is safe enough around the yard. Things may take a bit longer, mind, but they will enjoy it and you can enjoy spending time at the yard with your little ones and not so much make it feel like it is not for the kids time. And don't let anyone tell you that horses and children don't mix (the majority of non-horsey people think that, sometimes even the horsey ones) - my boys now love being up the yard, they like the dirt haha. I always carry plenty of spare clothes and they have all over wet suits that get filthy. as for risk, you just have to minimise them and let common sense prevail x
 
hi, yes it does get easier! my wee girl is nearly 3 now and she loves comin to yard. shes got her mini tools and i just let her muck out an empty stable. she lives being outside and defo helps her sleep better. I still dont ride when shes about unless my mum comes up aswell. xx
 
I have a 3 year old girl and when i bought my pony last year i would school my boy and give my daughter a bucket and spade to play with in the corner of the sand school (well out the way)! She helps me do everything from poo picking to filling haynets and we make everything into a game! I recently bought her a pony and now we go riding together, its actually fantastic to have a great bond with her. ;)
 
i managed all winter with (4yo,2yo & under 1) with just grazing by only allowing them their tv time in the car, they got half an hour a day sat in the car out of the snow/cold/wet watching their fave dvds on the car set, whilst i did the horses.
as soon as it got nicer weather they were out and about with me, we brought them apop up tent & they love playing in it whilst i get on with jobs. but yes it does get easier as they get older & more able to "help" you.
 
I don't know whether it gets easier I had a year off work with each of my kids and just had to worry about completing my degree. (Took my babies to uni with me until they were about 6 months). My mum babysitted alot and I rode regularly. Now they are teenagers I work full time, spend my weekends either doing house work, at work, or driving them to pony club/ jump club/adult riding club etc, so almost no riding for me.:(
 
lucky7 said:
Hang in there!! it gets easier, especially when they go to nursery/school.
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Very very true!

I found it such hard work when my daughter was little i put my horse on loan and regret it ever since.

She now loves horses- they are the be all and end all (altho she has a life and lots of other interests aswell)
Its now the thing we have that we can share and spend really lovely time together.
It does get easier. One thing i think you do have to bear in mind though is not to force it upon them or you may find them hating the time you have to spend with your horse even more!
 
Aoibhin said:
i managed all winter with (4yo,2yo & under 1) with just grazing by only allowing them their tv time in the car, they got half an hour a day sat in the car out of the snow/cold/wet watching their fave dvds on the car set, whilst i did the horses.
as soon as it got nicer weather they were out and about with me, we brought them apop up tent & they love playing in it whilst i get on with jobs. but yes it does get easier as they get older & more able to "help" you.
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I did think about the dvd idea when it gets to winter, might have to look at getting one for the car.
And yes as a few people have said I think it will help when I can give my son 'jobs' to do, he is just a bit too young at the moment. His favourite thing is riding in the wheelbarrow which is cute but makes it difficult to muck out!!
 
Ok, just one more - when my older one was smaller I always made sure he got "his" time at the end of my horse time - when I finished riding he would be playing around while I was mucking out and then we would also take a walk across the farmyard and look at all the tractors there were, which he loved...

Not a fan of TV or DVDs in the car. What is wrong with a little waiting around time or a good book? If it is cold or wet mine wait in the car they can see me from there and it has never been a problem without DVD... makes me think that children don't learn to be patient anymore but maybe I am a bit old fashioned that way...
 
In winter if I didn't have a babysitter, my little one was tucked up in a sleeping bag with a mini picnic and DVD. Summer was fine as he'd play and help with the horses.
Once he started school I'd managed to find grass livery which was a godsend, as I could do everything pretty much during school time. Holidays are difficult as the horses still need exercising, so I organise riders to help. Obviously, children come first, but still have a responsibility to the horses welfare, but with a bit of luck, I've always managed to ensure they all get a good deal.
This weekend I have 5 week old and 5 year old grandsons and 2 of the horses are lame and need extra treatment/care, but thanks to OH, the children are out with us and horses are still briefly ridden/ treated. Children are wonderfully portable.

Bugbee717. Wow, I am impressed ! Do you ever sit down ?
 
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