AIBU to tell riding school about this...

[madeforfour]

A group of us go riding with our LOs at a local stables. A (new to playgroup) mum asked to come along but children have to be at least three years (legal requirement for insurance) so she'd have to wait until April as her son is only two.

I have just noticed that she has put pics on her facebook page of her son having a lesson (definitely the stables we go to, I recognise the pony and the instructor). I'm thinking she must have lied about her son's age as you have to fill in a long form with details about height and weight and age and experience of your child when you first go. It isn't a one off either as I looked further back on her page and they went last week as well.

I'm not worried about her morals, that's her affair. I'm worried about the stables getting into trouble if there is an accident.

Do I tell the riding school?

Several factors here:

1. Presumably the Insurance has an age restriction for a reason. ? Under 3’s more likely to be injured, less likely to comprehend instructions . Therefore this child is considered to be at greater risk of accidental injury/death and the community as a duty to inform the relevant authorities. Mother is not putting the needs of her child first — paramountcy principle.
2. Stables may find themselves in an awkward position vis a vis the law/Insurance. Although they have used due diligence questions would still be asked if there was an accident and mother might even blame them.
3. Fact that OP is aware of the above and whether it is reasonable of her, in order to protect the child and the interests of the stables, ought to inform the stables.

Where the interests of a child are involved should one turn a blind eye on the basis that it is none of one’s business? Should Baby P’s extended family have called SS and revealed what they knew/suspected?

really bobstersmum a tittle tattle tell tale ?
she has lied
this could spoil it for everyone

Yes, I would say something. The child isn't properly covered under their insurance, so either the parents are ambulance chasers or too stupid to realise the dangers of having an under 2 riding.

Other mum doesn't like it, tough shit. Should have played by the rules.

I'd not say anything to the school. They ought to be checking.

I might however say something to the mum, as in, aren't you worried about the lack of insurance if your child got hurt.

It’s the child that is at risk.

Under 3 proportions (larger head) + riding helmet = neck injury.

A slight accident could potentially cause a catastrophic neck injury. Insurance wouldn’t pay out, taxpayer picks up the tab, stables potentially out of business.

Report. It just isn’t worth the risk. Ask for a word with the owner and make them aware. No need to make a big deal, just give them the information.

reallyanotherone Thanks. Will report.

If you tell them they will then be "knowingly" admitting a two year old. Who wants their two year old on a horse, anyway? They're not notorious for their ability to follow instructions, which is probably why the rule is in place.
Bet she's only doing it to broadcast the Kodak moment on Facebook.

Just wanted to make it clear that the riding school's insurance will be such that is pays out for damages caused as a result of their negliegence, not for any accident at all.

It is not the same as personal accident cover covering damages for any accident even without fault/ negligence.

Tbh I'd be massively suspicious about the insurance. Offering "lessons" to toddlers is not the norm. Pony rides perhaps but actual lessons for toddlers is not usual in riding schools any more precisely because the insurance costs are astronomical. Any riding school offering that service and not protecting their own interests would make me wary of whether they're actually sufficiently insured (if at all). Op tell them if you want but tbh if I was you I'd be more bothered about actually seeing the insurance policy if your child is having proper lessons under instruction. I understand your point though and I agree it's a bit off but. However I am very long in the equine tooth and know far too much to just take anyone involved in the equestrian industry's word for anything!

Agree wholeheartedly with reporting. Well done OP.
There have been some really sensible points on here.

I think I would just mention to the riding school that you are aware they are teaching a child under 3 yrs of age. You don't need to tell them who it is, but maybe suggest they do a check of ages of the children they teach.

elbows not sure I follow your logic.

A 'lesson' is more likely to take place in an enclosed manage with a soft surface and ideally one to one supervision (and for really little/ nervous/ excitable etc children, a dedicated leader for the pony while the instructor holds the child), so is inherently far 'safer' than a pony ride which might take place across a field or down a lane. Unless you mean a pony ride in the sense that no real teaching is taking place. However I have always found that you can always find something to teach unless kids are really, really young; the ponies name, letters of the alphabet, parts of the pony, stop and go games, even just encouraging being gentle to the pony etc, so personally I would always pick a place that offers lessons not just pony rides.

These reduced/controlled risks of properly supervised lessons would also make it cheaper to insure so a riding school that insists on little children having lessons not just being plopped on the back of pony for a quick ride, is much more likely to be the one with correct insurance and taking its responsbilities seriously.

But yes, I agree that people need to be looking for the school's insurance policies which should be clearly displayed.

Also from experience, run a mile from any yard that cannot keep their premises really tidy and organised, with healthy looking ponies, or that allows your child to ride with a hat that moves about on the child's head or allows the wearing of trainers. Shockingly this still occurs in the name of making money.

Why would you say anything? Who would gain? I don't understand what you could possibly want to do that for, other than being a self righteous busybody!

Those of you saying that the physical difference between a two and three year old makes it dangerous along with the ability to follow instructions...children develop at very different rates! Some two year olds will be more physically and emotionally mature than some three year olds.

It's ridiculous paying for rising lessons whether the child is 2 or 3.

I would butt out and mind my own business, if the parent has lied and signed as such then the riding school is covered. Most expect dc to be 5 or 6. We have one round here that starts at 4.

Glad you're telling them. I hope the stable bans the woman completely - who knows what lies she will tell in the future?

I’d mind my own business. I don’t think it’s correct to think that a business (or child) would suffer from being lied to- as long as they do the checks their insurance requires they’re compliant.

Not sure why people think the NHS won’t treat him in the event of an accident either?

Even on a lead rein a pony can shy and the rider come off. My 6 year old came off (right over the poies head) when he was 5 as the pony he was on shied and it's very hard to stay on when you only have little legs, he was on a lead rein but it doesn't stop the ponies body from moving. These were very quiet ponies but any pony can get upset.

No I wouldn't say anything because they either most likely know and you'll just look like a right stirrer or they really aren't bothered and therefore why didn't do the checks. If the child is 3 in April anyway you'd look pretty petty. It's not like he's 18months old or something.

Report = for all the reasons previously mentioned. And never trust the mother to look after your child - playdates etc. She clearly cares more about the facebook pics and her image as a mother than actually being a good mother and putting her child first.

Kids die because people think nothing is their business unless they get something out of it. Then there is moral outrage and virtue signalling when it all goes wrong.

Pp mentioned proof of age... in my old job it relied upon people being honest about their child's age, we were not allowed to ask for a birth certificate as it lists parents occupations. Passport was ok but not all 2/3 yo kids would have one

Why is the listing of parent's occupations a problem? Unless they're international spies, but then they'd hardly have declared it in the first place.

Nah. I might moan about it a bit but ultimately I probably wouldn't bother caring/doing anything about it.

Because 3 year olds are so much better?