Small children on DIY yard .....

My last yard was awful - one of the reasons I left.

Just a few examples.
Small children running around, playing with a dog and a ball in the sick paddock until my horse who was in there at the time got over excited and charged round at top speed.
Running into the school when I was lunging a very excited horse who was broncing at the time, when I yelled to get out I got a "but we want to play in here" response.
One running up behind my friends horse and hugging it round the hock - luckily he didn't react.
Running round with big branches yelling and waving them.

We spoke to the YM, she spoke to the parents - nothing happened. YM spoke to the children, they look sorry for about 3 whole minutes then forgot and carried on as before.

I left, in fact there was quite a big exodus though it wasn't the only factor it did contribute to the feeling that the place was going downhill.

Parents do love the fact the old yard is "child friendly" but it seems likely to me there will one day be an accident with the sort of incidents I saw.
 
There are a few teenagers at the yard I am on, and a couple of younger children, they are all well behaved and I rarely see them. I went to look at one yard and it was my idea of hell on earth. Full of teenagers and screaming children, stuff everywhere, about six kids pelting around the arena. I don't have children, don't really want them and certainly don't want other people's inflicted on me when I am partaking in my hobby! Nothing drives me more insane than screaming children, I freely admit I am completely intolerant of it, wherever it occurs. So I choose not to be on a yard which is that way inclined. And there is a no children, no exceptions rule at my wedding next year - if that means people choose not to come, so be it, our day, our way.
 
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I don't mind well-behaved children who help their mothers with their horses/ponies, or whatever. But what sets my teeth on edge are young women coming to do horses with small babies in push-chairs. I don't like babies and horses mixing. I have even seen a pony being led down the road in one hand, and a baby tucked under the other arm. I think that is just stupid, and dangerous for the baby. I don't know how the YO could stop it, though.

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That must only come from a lady who hasn't had a baby...
 
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Like I say, it has done wonders for the young horses on the yard .

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Unfortunately did the opposite for my young horse. He was fine with children but he went on box rest and had to be walked out quietly. There would still be children around in the evening so impossible to avoid.
His nerves were keyed up and he started reacting to the children.

He behaves because that is what is expected of him but nowadays I can feel him tense up as soon as he sees the little people.
 
my eldest is only just 3 & both him & his little sister (18 months) come & help at yard, they both know not to scream & run about where the horses are. i am currently pregnant with number 3 & he will also comedown the yard with me.
i am much luckier now in that i am in a private yard on my own now, but where i was previous never had an issue with the kids.my son has his own wheel barrow & spade and loves poo picking with us.
 
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I don't mind well-behaved children who help their mothers with their horses/ponies, or whatever. But what sets my teeth on edge are young women coming to do horses with small babies in push-chairs. I don't like babies and horses mixing. I have even seen a pony being led down the road in one hand, and a baby tucked under the other arm. I think that is just stupid, and dangerous for the baby. I don't know how the YO could stop it, though.

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My daughter came to the yard in her push chair... I never parked her behind a horse or anything like that! she was no bother, can't really see how babies and horses should not mix as long as things are done safely
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And on the plus side none of my horses have ever been bothered about seeing buggies and toddlers when out hacking
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I take my children with me most nights, as I have no other option. One is 11, the other is 4. My daughter (11) will happily help other liveries empty barrows etc, the young one knows how to behave, if he does run, he gets told straight away and stops. Older one will sometimes help by fetching smaller ponies in, she's not really horsey despite having her own for a while (now on loan) the younger one loves going to see 'his ladies' - 3 of the other girls (my age) who seem to enjoy his company, and he's happy to help by watching buckets fill and turning the taps off etc so i would hope nobody has any complaints about mine. Having said that, if I couldn't take them with me, would have to sell my boy , simple as that.

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What is the going rate for a 4 yr old boy??
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If I didn't allow children I wouldn't have any Boarders.
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I would rather have visiting children than visiting dogs any day. In fact, dogs are banned here. Children don't chase my cats/goat/ponies, fight with my dogs, crap on my yard etc, etc, etc
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So how about a six month old baby put up on 16 hand horse ('because he's so quiet'), mum hanging onto baby's leg, horse standing on a concrete yard? Am I also over-reacting to find that unsettling? It seems to me that even the quietest best-mannered horse can sometimes move unpredictably, and a baby is a vulnerable and precious thing (so they tell me
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...I think that that is entirely the responsibility of the adult in charge of the baby/horse, nothing to do with yard rules.

As I see it you have options, wince and look away, make a comment to them or voice your concerns to your YM.

I used to sit my own daughter on a pony from that age, she also used to sit in the hay manger while I mucked out, it was my responsibility altogether, I knew the risks, and I took what I considered appropriate precautions.

There can't be that many parents on here who can honestly say that they haven't sat their small children on what they considered a quiet horse for a few seconds.
 
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...I used to sit my own daughter on a pony from that age, she also used to sit in the hay manger while I mucked out, it was my responsibility altogether, I knew the risks, and I took what I considered appropriate precautions.

There can't be that many parents on here who can honestly say that they haven't sat their small children on what they considered a quiet horse for a few seconds.

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Ermmm....that would be me...bad mother that I am...I have photos of the kids when they were very small...aged 2 and 7...both sat on my horse (at the time) who was 16hh.

I have pushed wheelbarrows full of muck with a small child perched on top, whilst leading said horse.....oh yes, multi-tasking - thats me
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My kids, my choice...my responsibility....if it all goes tits up then its down to me......but yes, wince and look away if you dont like it....
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i don’t really allow Children on the yard (well no child liveries anyway).

The yard has 12 big horses ranging from 16hh - 18hh i would be mortified if my horse was tied up outside and something spooked him causing him to hurt a child even if the parent was at fault by not looking after them so therefore i think little people should go on yards that are set up better for them.

There is one little girl (5 years old) that comes down the yard with her grand mother and i am always on pins when she is there even though she is never left alone and is very well behaved.

I don’t think it is fair that i should have to be more aware of everything just because there is a child on the yard.
 
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