Horses & Kids =)

PoniesNPacas · 09-21-2005, 07:57 PM

I have a VERY personable group of boys here, but I have to laugh every time my niece comes out to the barn. She likes to ride, but not independently because we don't have the round pens up anymore. So for the most part she goes into the pasture and brushes them, picks their feet, braids their hair, and just plain loves on them.
But these guys are just so careful with her.

Sweet little Cue is just in love with her. She was laughing hysterically today because as she walked back towards the gate, he followed her. So she zig zagged away running, and he broke into a trot - followed almost the exact same "z". She stopped, he came to a dead stop. She took off running, he broke into a nice slow lope. And he always made sure he was a good 15 feet behind her.

When she finally stopped at the gate (after making him run in all sorts of crazy directions), he made sure he came up to her at a walk, and with his head down by hers. (He's about 15.1 and she's about 3 1/2 feet tall)

Evan will humor her, but after a while tires of "entertaining the children" and Indy just loves all the petting and will stand for hours on end - plus he loves her shampoo (she never remembers to not wash with the fruity stuff before she comes over LOL).

The photo quality isn't that great, but it was a cute one. It's amazing the bonds these guys forge at such young ages, and how strong that becomes in such a short amount of time. Makes me happy that I can provide these opportunities for her. Nobody was able to when I was growing up. =)

LilRedHorse · 09-21-2005, 08:04 PM

How cute! Horses and kids can form amazing bonds. Goldy likes to play with people too. If you run in the yard, he gets so happy, but he doesn't do it quite so carefully as Cue. That is so adorable. Some horses just are so naturally careful with younger children, they definately sense that they are younger and more vulnerable. Thanks for the pic! And Cue is adorable!

PoniesNPacas · 09-21-2005, 08:10 PM

Here's Chasity trying to escape from the babies. Indy is pastured with 3 other studs. Indy is about 2 1/2, the 2 appy crosses are almost 2, and the little tiny caspian pony is a yearling.

That's Indy's big nose that was right on top of her head a split second ago.

So after all of this babbling about kids & horses - how many of you with children allow them out with your horses? Chasity is never out there without me, but I may be scrubbing a water tank or throwing hay or some other "work" while she is playing with these guys.
I have had people scold me about her being in with Indy and the other boys - because "stallions kill." And while I suppose that may be true, Indy is more cautious and gentle with her than Evan, almost as much as Cue. If the other colts are playing, Indy will back them up away from where Chasity is. She usually just sits on the fence and watches them, but if they get rowdy, he makes them do it elsewhere. He's very protective of her. And he loves to play with her. He will lay down next to her if she is sitting in the dirt. He's grown up with her - not that either of them is anywhere near grown up - but he's been here for almost 2 years.

I know that horses can be unpredictable and act like morons at any given second seemingly without reason, but I think I've taught her well so far.
She knows not to stand within striking distance, never to hand feed them, how to keep her feet out from under theirs, how to lead them safely, how to put a halter on them and take it off.

I know I make her mother nervous (I'm the only horsey one in the family) but Chasity is very good about the rules and knows her stuff, and I trust these guys. I wouldn't let her out with horses that she wasn't familiar with like she is with these boys.

Somebody on another board hassled a poster because there was a picture of her 2 or 3 year old boy sitting on the fence with her stallion leaning over and resting his cheek on the little boy's. That's where the "stallions kill" came from - and why it made me wonder how odd I am in regards to my niece and my horses. LOL

Jen

TheUpNorthCowgirl · 09-21-2005, 08:11 PM

Great Pic! Horses and Kids, it's a beautiful thing!

WalkerboundKC · 09-22-2005, 07:50 AM

cute pics!!
Esp. that first one!

kindredspiritsia · 09-22-2005, 08:16 AM

Great pictures! Thank you for sharing. My kids are allowed to pretty much do whatever with the horses. They have been raised with the horses and know the "rules of safety". All of my horses have EXCELLENT ground manners and know how to stay out of personal space. I believe the main reason my horses are so personable and respectful is because of all the handling they get from the kids. It makes for happier horses and kids.

Orchid · 09-22-2005, 09:05 AM

I don't think you're "odd" (love your choice of words there) to let her out with the horses. I let my 5 year old in with our horses and have since he could walk - of course when he was that little he was always right next to me holding my hand. We review the rules of horse safety EVERY time we go out and he is pretty good about them, but kids will always forget from time to time. I never leave him alone with them and am always close by, though a lot of times I am doing chores of some sort.

My three geldings are very careful with the little kids. Of course the pony that I bought for my son is the one who can't stay out of your personal space, but we're working on that.

I enjoyed the pictures, thanks for sharing!

leadmare · 09-22-2005, 09:29 AM

I do have a few words about this. My kids have two extra rules that I don't see in the pictures. Boots and helmets in the pasture or when working with horses

20 years ago, after one of my kids,(4 years old at the time) was kicked in the forehead by a foal, that rule went into effect and I don't budge!

We only tend to learn from our mistakes, please, learn from mine, not yours

Better safe than sorry

magicma · 09-22-2005, 09:40 AM

My 12yo has been around them all his life. We have minor rules. stay away from the stud in the field if the mares are out, and never run up behind one, basic common sense really. But he gets in the field and plays with them all the time. I love to watch him with his gelding, I swear he thinks Blaze is a dog. Blaze of course thinks he's a human, it's funny. And Blaze knows he is just a kid and will always behave himself even protecting my son on one occasion from another horse that got too rough.

LilRedHorse · 09-22-2005, 11:50 AM

My younger brother (12) couldn't care less about horses. But my neighbor's kids love to play with Dakota! Of course this is before she went into heat and got all crazy, but what the little kid would do (he's 3) is stick his knee through the fence, and let Dakota play with his shorts! I would hear him outside yelling, "Horsey! Kota!" wanting her to come play with him. Once I think he used a rock (apple shaped) to get her to come over to him. I never let him go in the pasture with her, but he liked her so much. He hasn't been around her since she "grew up". Goldy though loves my neighbors, and when my Dad went outside the other day to see him, he said he would have to get used to having a sane horse.

Cowgirl Up 101 · 09-22-2005, 12:20 PM

My daughters are all allowed around the horses, with rules of course. Now the 4 year old has trouble following the rules hence the reason she has been stepped on. But they are never allowed out there with out me and our horses are well mannered with the exception of the 2 year old and we are working on that. But I want my girls to grow up around them, respect them, love them, and learn all they can about them. There is nothing better than to see your kids and animals playing together - that is the most beautiful sight!

09-21-2005, 07:57 PM
PoniesNPacas Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 75	Horses & Kids =) I have a VERY personable group of boys here, but I have to laugh every time my niece comes out to the barn. She likes to ride, but not independently because we don't have the round pens up anymore. So for the most part she goes into the pasture and brushes them, picks their feet, braids their hair, and just plain loves on them. But these guys are just so careful with her. Sweet little Cue is just in love with her. She was laughing hysterically today because as she walked back towards the gate, he followed her. So she zig zagged away running, and he broke into a trot - followed almost the exact same "z". She stopped, he came to a dead stop. She took off running, he broke into a nice slow lope. And he always made sure he was a good 15 feet behind her. When she finally stopped at the gate (after making him run in all sorts of crazy directions), he made sure he came up to her at a walk, and with his head down by hers. (He's about 15.1 and she's about 3 1/2 feet tall) Evan will humor her, but after a while tires of "entertaining the children" and Indy just loves all the petting and will stand for hours on end - plus he loves her shampoo (she never remembers to not wash with the fruity stuff before she comes over LOL). The photo quality isn't that great, but it was a cute one. It's amazing the bonds these guys forge at such young ages, and how strong that becomes in such a short amount of time. Makes me happy that I can provide these opportunities for her. Nobody was able to when I was growing up. =)

09-21-2005, 08:04 PM
LilRedHorse Weanling Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 297	How cute! Horses and kids can form amazing bonds. Goldy likes to play with people too. If you run in the yard, he gets so happy, but he doesn't do it quite so carefully as Cue. That is so adorable. Some horses just are so naturally careful with younger children, they definately sense that they are younger and more vulnerable. Thanks for the pic! And Cue is adorable!

09-21-2005, 08:10 PM
PoniesNPacas Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 75	Here's Chasity trying to escape from the babies. Indy is pastured with 3 other studs. Indy is about 2 1/2, the 2 appy crosses are almost 2, and the little tiny caspian pony is a yearling. That's Indy's big nose that was right on top of her head a split second ago. So after all of this babbling about kids & horses - how many of you with children allow them out with your horses? Chasity is never out there without me, but I may be scrubbing a water tank or throwing hay or some other "work" while she is playing with these guys. I have had people scold me about her being in with Indy and the other boys - because "stallions kill." And while I suppose that may be true, Indy is more cautious and gentle with her than Evan, almost as much as Cue. If the other colts are playing, Indy will back them up away from where Chasity is. She usually just sits on the fence and watches them, but if they get rowdy, he makes them do it elsewhere. He's very protective of her. And he loves to play with her. He will lay down next to her if she is sitting in the dirt. He's grown up with her - not that either of them is anywhere near grown up - but he's been here for almost 2 years. I know that horses can be unpredictable and act like morons at any given second seemingly without reason, but I think I've taught her well so far. She knows not to stand within striking distance, never to hand feed them, how to keep her feet out from under theirs, how to lead them safely, how to put a halter on them and take it off. I know I make her mother nervous (I'm the only horsey one in the family) but Chasity is very good about the rules and knows her stuff, and I trust these guys. I wouldn't let her out with horses that she wasn't familiar with like she is with these boys. Somebody on another board hassled a poster because there was a picture of her 2 or 3 year old boy sitting on the fence with her stallion leaning over and resting his cheek on the little boy's. That's where the "stallions kill" came from - and why it made me wonder how odd I am in regards to my niece and my horses. LOL Jen

09-21-2005, 08:11 PM
TheUpNorthCowgirl Long Yearling Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Upper Michigan Posts: 1,354	Great Pic! Horses and Kids, it's a beautiful thing! __________________ The horse has so docile a nature, that he would rather do right than wrong, if he can only be taught to distinguish one from the other."

09-22-2005, 07:50 AM
WalkerboundKC Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 102	cute pics!! Esp. that first one! __________________ The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse\'s ears. ~ Arabian proverb

09-22-2005, 08:16 AM
kindredspiritsia Started Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,325	Great pictures! Thank you for sharing. My kids are allowed to pretty much do whatever with the horses. They have been raised with the horses and know the "rules of safety". All of my horses have EXCELLENT ground manners and know how to stay out of personal space. I believe the main reason my horses are so personable and respectful is because of all the handling they get from the kids. It makes for happier horses and kids.

09-22-2005, 09:05 AM
Orchid Bombproof Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 11,048	I don't think you're "odd" (love your choice of words there) to let her out with the horses. I let my 5 year old in with our horses and have since he could walk - of course when he was that little he was always right next to me holding my hand. We review the rules of horse safety EVERY time we go out and he is pretty good about them, but kids will always forget from time to time. I never leave him alone with them and am always close by, though a lot of times I am doing chores of some sort. My three geldings are very careful with the little kids. Of course the pony that I bought for my son is the one who can't stay out of your personal space, but we're working on that. I enjoyed the pictures, thanks for sharing! __________________ Careful what you wish; Careful what you say; Careful what you wish; You may regret it; Careful what you wish; You just might get it. ~ Metallica, King Nothing

09-22-2005, 09:29 AM
leadmare Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,168	I do have a few words about this. My kids have two extra rules that I don't see in the pictures. Boots and helmets in the pasture or when working with horses 20 years ago, after one of my kids,(4 years old at the time) was kicked in the forehead by a foal, that rule went into effect and I don't budge! We only tend to learn from our mistakes, please, learn from mine, not yours Better safe than sorry __________________ *When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7*

09-22-2005, 09:40 AM
magicma Weanling Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: tennessee Posts: 315	My 12yo has been around them all his life. We have minor rules. stay away from the stud in the field if the mares are out, and never run up behind one, basic common sense really. But he gets in the field and plays with them all the time. I love to watch him with his gelding, I swear he thinks Blaze is a dog. Blaze of course thinks he's a human, it's funny. And Blaze knows he is just a kid and will always behave himself even protecting my son on one occasion from another horse that got too rough.

09-22-2005, 11:50 AM
LilRedHorse Weanling Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 297	My younger brother (12) couldn't care less about horses. But my neighbor's kids love to play with Dakota! Of course this is before she went into heat and got all crazy, but what the little kid would do (he's 3) is stick his knee through the fence, and let Dakota play with his shorts! I would hear him outside yelling, "Horsey! Kota!" wanting her to come play with him. Once I think he used a rock (apple shaped) to get her to come over to him. I never let him go in the pasture with her, but he liked her so much. He hasn't been around her since she "grew up". Goldy though loves my neighbors, and when my Dad went outside the other day to see him, he said he would have to get used to having a sane horse.

09-22-2005, 12:20 PM
Cowgirl Up 101 Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 608	My daughters are all allowed around the horses, with rules of course. Now the 4 year old has trouble following the rules hence the reason she has been stepped on. But they are never allowed out there with out me and our horses are well mannered with the exception of the 2 year old and we are working on that. But I want my girls to grow up around them, respect them, love them, and learn all they can about them. There is nothing better than to see your kids and animals playing together - that is the most beautiful sight!