Thinking of going camping with kids and ponies

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Field04

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Sooooo.... the local stables are organising a camping trip during the summer holidays. My two girls really want to go but are only 7 and 8 years old. I am not keen on them sleeping in a tent in someones field without an adult in the tent with them. Also I know the YO and she is young and likes a good drink, so I am well aware will be using the evening with her friends who will also be camping to have a good drinking session.

Obviously this leaves me very concerned about my young children being in her care and also in a tent on their own. Solution, I am going to!!!!!

So I am going to take my horse and the girls can use one school pony and we can take out other little pony. It will be the first time taking them off on a trip (the ponies that is). My only concern is that my horse can get excited and likes to lead and can get quite stressed being held back. She is not always like this, but she can be. So how best to deal with little Shetland and big horse out riding together? Any tips on the whole situation??

Thanks
 
Is this an organised trip? Do you have to pay for it? Or it is a more informal, friends type thing? It's just that the idea of the woman organising it being pissed in her tent in the evening doesn't sound great :rolleyes:

I have three kids and the idea of taking two of them camping plus two of our ponies sounds really quite stressful!! Are you sure you want to do this! Is it just for one night?
 
Sounds exciting.:)

How do you usually manage re big horse/shetland?

The only advice I can give is to get a really clear breakdown of what activities will be happening on the camp.

It's possible that the smaller riders will be separated from the bigger riders for hacks, so you could lead rein one ride and ride yourself the bigger ride?
Or take your horse and assume the "mum looking after kids in tent role" and basically just fit in what riding you can on your own.

I suppose it depends on how organised the activities are.
 
billylula said:
Is this an organised trip? Do you have to pay for it? Or it is a more informal, friends type thing? It's just that the idea of the woman organising it being pissed in her tent in the evening doesn't sound great :rolleyes:

I have three kids and the idea of taking two of them camping plus two of our ponies sounds really quite stressful!! Are you sure you want to do this! Is it just for one night?
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It is organised, and yes I have to pay. The reason I want to go is really to look after my children as don't trust the YO, and think my kids will enjoy it. Yes I do think it could be potentially very stressful, but it is only 1 night. Also we ride for 2 hours at a time and then take a break.
 
Aarrghimpossiblepony said:
Sounds exciting.:)

How do you usually manage re big horse/shetland?

The only advice I can give is to get a really clear breakdown of what activities will be happening on the camp.

It's possible that the smaller riders will be separated from the bigger riders for hacks, so you could lead rein one ride and ride yourself the bigger ride?
Or take your horse and assume the "mum looking after kids in tent role" and basically just fit in what riding you can on your own.

I suppose it depends on how organised the activities are.
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It is basically a 2 day hack out altogether, then staying on a farm in tents for the one night. No chance of going off on bigger rides, so will only be walking and trotting.

Have asked a friend of mine if she would want to come as well, as she has the calmest horse known to man and I think she could make it more enjoyable for me. Really doubt she will want to come, but you never know!!:p
 
amymay said:
What will you do with the ponies overnight?
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We will be staying on a farm, and the horses will be out in the fields. Although, you have reminded me that I would need to find out if my two could be separate from the others. Don't need any injuries!!
 
Field04 said:
It is basically a 2 day hack out altogether, then staying on a farm in tents for the one night. No chance of going off on bigger rides, so will only be walking and trotting.

Have asked a friend of mine if she would want to come as well, as she has the calmest horse known to man and I think she could make it more enjoyable for me. Really doubt she will want to come, but you never know!!:p
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Nice if the friend came I agree, but strikes me the horse without the friend would do just as well.:D
Any chance she would swap for a couple of days?
 
HashRouge said:
Why don't you leave your horse behind and offer yourself to the lady in charge as an official volunteer/ helper?
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That's what I was going to suggest, or possible hire a horse from the RS that you know is calm. I stayed over with my kids last year at PC camp as my youngest was only 9 and I am the branch treasurer anyway so needed to help out somehow. The last thing I would have wanted was a horse of my own with 3 horses/ponies and 3 children (15 yr old son, 9 year old son and 10 yr old girl riding one of my ponies) to look after. Have a great time though! :)
 
HashRouge said:
Why don't you leave your horse behind and offer yourself to the lady in charge as an official volunteer/ helper?
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Do you mean not go on the ride? or take one of the school horses? If I leave my horse behind not sure I would take the smaller pony as she has not been to the stables before and not sure if she would stress. Whereas my bigger horse knows the stables and the other horses and she was kept there for just under a year. NOt sure that really makes a difference!!:D

Should I just go for the camping??
 
You could just go for the camping, or what about if you asked your friend if you could borrow her calm horse for a couple of days and leave yours at home?
 
nikicb said:
That's what I was going to suggest, or possible hire a horse from the RS that you know is calm. I stayed over with my kids last year at PC camp as my youngest was only 9 and I am the branch treasurer anyway so needed to help out somehow. The last thing I would have wanted was a horse of my own with 3 horses/ponies and 3 children (15 yr old son, 9 year old son and 10 yr old girl riding one of my ponies) to look after. Have a great time though! :)
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See now I am starting to think leave both ponies behind and use school ponies....

The only problem being my youngest is quite nervous, but has a habit of picking the most unsuitable RS ponies! Whereas she has built up a very good bond with her little pony at home, and she goes out on hacks once or twice a week. However, I am on foot and she is on the pony with a lead rein.

Decisions, decisions!
 
Field04 said:
See now I am starting to think leave both ponies behind and use school ponies....

The only problem being my youngest is quite nervous, but has a habit of picking the most unsuitable RS ponies! Whereas she has built up a very good bond with her little pony at home, and she goes out on hacks once or twice a week. However, I am on foot and she is on the pony with a lead rein.

Decisions, decisions!
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That's a possibility as well. Perhaps all the unsuitable ponies could be "booked for lessons/other people" wink wink. ;) I really think you would enjoy it far more without a horse of your own. Your girls are only little and may need you more than you think. :)
 
Have to agree with nikicb. Your children are quite young and will probably need lots of help, not just riding but managing ponies aswell. You should go along for the fun of it, be there to help when necessary and enjoy. I get as much enjoyment watching my children ride/ compete/hunt as i would if i were out myself.

Is the YO really that bad? Cant imagine a person in charge of group like that boozing through the nite??!! Thats said- if the YO was Mother Theresa herself i would not let children that age go without me.
Really hope you have fun.
 
Sunhill Peper said:
Have to agree with nikicb. Your children are quite young and will probably need lots of help, not just riding but managing ponies aswell. You should go along for the fun of it, be there to help when necessary and enjoy. I get as much enjoyment watching my children ride/ compete/hunt as i would if i were out myself.

Is the YO really that bad? Cant imagine a person in charge of group like that boozing through the nite??!! Thats said- if the YO was Mother Theresa herself i would not let children that age go without me.
Really hope you have fun.
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Yes, she really is that bad. The night before taking 12 children to the beach riding, ages ranging from 8 - 12, she stayed up drinking till 5am. She then had to be at the stables for 8am. This is not someone who could be fully ok to drive a lorry with horses, let alone look after peoples children. Also her friend who was the help for the beach day was also so drunk she was being sick at 3 am. (I know because I was there, but my children were not going to the beach, but I did see a new side to them all that evening and lost a lot of confidence in them). However, as you said regardless I would not feel safe letting them go without me at their age.

My friend is interested and I know if she comes she will help me with my children during the ride. Lead reining if needed. Also her horse is a plod and mine will stick to him like glue. My horse stayed at hers for a couple of months and the two horses get on really well. I am never worried about mines behaviour when they are together. If that is the case it will be a plod, so no worries. But I will bear in mind the possibility of using one of the school horses if needed.
 
Is this a BHS registered yard? The YO sounds dangerous to be in charge of children and no way would i allow my children to go on a trip with someone like that as the 'responsible' adult. I would also be looking for a new riding school!
 
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What about just hiring a plod for you to ride from them too. I have bought a pony for the sole purpose of me taking my daughter hacking on her pony and its working well now. My own horse is actually quieter in some ways but less suitable for accompaniment of a tot in others.
 
I feel you know your horse best but a holiday is a holiday and I feel you might be happier just taking kids and the one pony - defo less work!

I'm going to equifest this August with 7yo daughter - that is a week in a tent with two stabled animals and 3/4 classes a day! Can't see me staying up late! I am taking a buddy to groom this year though so should be a bit less stressful!
 
Spiritedly said:
Is this a BHS registered yard? The YO sounds dangerous to be in charge of children and no way would i allow my children to go on a trip with someone like that as the 'responsible' adult. I would also be looking for a new riding school!
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No, we are in France. Its the local village stables and she is loosing lots of customers. But you see why I will not let them go without me.
 
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