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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

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Original poster

Own field, horse & 4 year old child!

15 replies

TigersEyeNarrowed · 12/07/2015 18:55

I am thinking of buying a field to keep a horse, my DH would have an allotment & possibly keep chickens up there too. There would be a barn & ménage & it is 5 mins drive from where I live. I have a 4 year old DS, has anyone done this with a child in tow? How did it work for you?

Thanks

OP posts:

mrslaughan · 12/07/2015 21:35

First thing that springs to mind is that a horse shouldn't be kept on its own.....

HorseyPonderings · 12/07/2015 22:03

Well no, it wouldn't be, would have a friend up there. I'm more asking about managing with my ds,

backinthebox · 12/07/2015 22:07

Surely at 4 years old, if you have your own land, child would need his own pony? I brought my horse home to live, and acquired a pony, when dd was 4 months old. Now, with dd (7) and ds (4) I have my own horse and 2 ponies. Both children help me with the mucking out and ride with me. They love it.

BeautifulBatman · 12/07/2015 22:07

My dad used to pick my brother and I up from primary school (we were maybe 4/5/6) and take us straight to the yard where he kept his horse. We loved it. You're never too young to learn a bit of stable etiquette. You could teach her what the different hard feeds are, how to measure them out, get her to help stuff the hay net, all sorts.

tattychicken · 12/07/2015 22:09

My children love to 'help', so they have a small wheelbarrow/broom/muck fork and are quite happy pottering about spreading shit and shavings everywhere. I keep some toys there, eg trikes/bikes for them to play with, waterproof clothes, wellies etc. It can be hard in winter, if it's lashing with rain they sit in the car with books/DS' etc. But generally it's very doable.

SurlyCue · 12/07/2015 22:12

Dad pretty much raised us at his side whilst he had one or two horses on the go. No idea how he managed as i would find it hellish but we were out there from a few weeks old as he had no one to have us. His horses lived at home though and in the field across the road. He competed up and down the country (ireland) what seemed like every weekend and we just went along to everything. Its perfectly doable with a four year old

horseygeorgie · 12/07/2015 22:17

Yep i have had this. I had 4 in a field. Didn't have running water or electric so was pretty had going at times but we managed fine! I've downsized to my hunter now and moved him to an actual yard with concrete but it was for unrelated reasons.
My DD (3) loved helping and was actually really good at electric fencing! (wasn't on, obviously!)

mrslaughan · 13/07/2015 12:54

Honestly - I think it depends on your child, how risk averse they are and how good they are at following instructions.

This would have worked with my DS, because he lacked confidence and was really good at following instructions esp when safety was an issue. My DD however is uber confident and scared of nothing and it would not work with her as she over estimates her abilities all the time. This would put her in danger in this situation - and she is 5 1/2.

bluetrees · 15/09/2015 12:36

I think that going up and doing the chores etc is fine with a child. I've been taking mine since she was about 4 and she's now 7. If the weather is rubbish she sits in the feed shed with the ipad. But I have never been able to ride/lunge or do any work with the horse whilst she's been with me as I couldn't take my eyes off her for long enough. She wouldn't just sit by the school and watch. I am hoping that this will change as she gets older but I'm not holding my breath!

bimandbam · 13/10/2015 13:20

I had pony for dd in diy from her being about 18 months old and it was fine. However ds at 22 months is hard work at the yard.

And it depends on the horses you have. I have a pony in with cushings induced lami atm and she is fine to do and muck out etc with ds in tow. But I have a youngster who is polite and kind but a little less predictable so wouldnt want to do her with ds on my own.

Booboostwo · 17/10/2015 15:36

I have four horses at home a 4yo DD and 1 yo DS. I am quite risk averse so I don't do the horses unless I have childcare. DD is very sensible but she wouldn't know what do to if there was a loose horse for example. Also I need at least 45 minutes just to ride which would be very boring for the DCs. If you want to chuck some hay over the door it would work fine but bringing in, grooming, riding, turning out and mucking out may not be very feasible with young DCs in tow.

RoseWithoutAThorn · 17/10/2015 23:20

My kids have grown up with horses. Mine are kept at home however my children weren't near mine until around aged 7 unless the horses were behind a stable door They had ponies of their own though from age 4. I had a nanny until the youngest was 5 so I was able to ride, muck out etc I have a livery yard and children under the age of 12 aren't allowed. I frankly can't be arsed with kids running amok around horses due to lack of parental supervision.

Gowditay · 21/10/2015 09:55

By the time by dd was 4 she could do most of the stables by herself - muck out and feed. She was only allowed to help once she was actually useful as its a PITA having an annoying 4 year old making a mess everywhere! I did spend a lot of time shouting at them about safety and after a couple of years it sunk in

Gowditay · 21/10/2015 09:56

I frankly can't be arsed with kids running amok around horses due to lack of parental supervision.

yes its really annoying

Gowditay · 21/10/2015 09:57

when mine were 4 they were told if there was a loose horse not to get involved and go and stand somewhere quietly and out of the way.

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