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alan
Silver Member
 England
434 Posts |
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triple velvet
Bronze Member
Scotland
120 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 3:47:06 PM
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The mums on our yard just leave them to their own devises , when my kids was younger I use to have them in their pram watching me and when they was toddling I would shut them in the stable with me.I wouldn't let them out me sight.
Even better left them with me mother |
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glo
Gold Member
England
1297 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 4:13:00 PM
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| I used to let them do what they do best, play. Normally the water troff, jumping on the muck heap, playing with toys etc. Sometimes they would be in the pram, with a hot drink in a bottle and some biscuits. I would try to get them to help. One day one of my sons was holding the gate open while I got the horses in, I had said one horse at a time, so I got a mare with a foal at foot, mare in yard, foal in field, not good. Well its all fun and games. |
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Emmo
Bronze Member
Wales
132 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 4:38:11 PM
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TBH i try not to take mine unless i really have to. It is just so dangerous. I used to when my eldest was young as i had to. I would usually sit him in the car or out of the way when moving the horses then he would just follow me around. One day though something spooked to horses when i was turning them out and they pulled away from me and ran back to their stables - straight at him as he had followed me.
To say i shat myself was an understatement! - he was about 2 1/2. Thankfully they went round him but it was an eye opener to what could happen.
I suppose it depends on your setup and the layout/size of your yard. I know sometimes people have no choice but for me i try not to. xx |
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alan
Silver Member
England
434 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 8:38:19 PM
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| The reason I ask is a friend of mine puts her toddler in tea room on their yard which is between 2 stables & opposite the other boxes. The room is heated & has a tv & is within earshot of all the yard. Her toddler is put in a play pen within this room. The child is only left there while my friend is handling horses, going in & out of stables feeding, etc. Imo this is far safer than the child being allowed to run around at that time. The child is checked every 10mins or so. She is now being investigated by social services for neglect as the social services feel that isn't a suitable environment for a child to be in. Once my friend starts mucking out stables that don't have horses in the child is allowed to run about. Just wondered what your views were. |
  
www.spirit-arabians.co.uk |
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alan
Silver Member
England
434 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 8:42:03 PM
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| The reason I ask is a friend of mine puts her toddler in tea room on their yard which is between 2 stables & opposite the other boxes. The room is heated & has a tv & is within earshot of all the yard. Her toddler is put in a play pen within this room. The child is only left there while my friend is handling horses, going in & out of stables feeding, etc. Imo this is far safer than the child being allowed to run around at that time. The child is checked every 10mins or so. She is now being investigated by social services for neglect as the social services feel that isn't a suitable environment for a child to be in. Once my friend starts mucking out stables that don't have horses in the child is allowed to run about. Just wondered what your views were. |
www.spirit-arabians.co.uk |
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george
Gold Member
Wales
1353 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 8:50:49 PM
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Connor has grown up around mine, he is only seven now but I am with glo....let kids do what they do best and make it a game  he loved getting filthy in the mud, just take a change of clothes for popping in the shops on the way home  just make sure you know where they are and I always wanted to fill an empty stable with toys and stick him in there for a bit  never did though, it's amazing to see your child becoming confident and aware around horses...if you keep them away they don't get the chance to learn, and it's so much healthier than being stuck indoors! |
George xxx
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suyents
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1651 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 9:20:14 PM
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| tell social services to go and investigate the many mothers with toddlers in over heated, smokey bed sits...i can't believe they are wasting their resources on this, who complained??? |
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Vik1
Platinum Member
1711 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 9:28:45 PM
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A friend of mine would sometimes leave hers in the chair in the car while she mucked out. Shed time it for nap time. Another friend would have hers in the buggy/pram at the side of the school while she was riding. They would avoid taking them as much as possible tho.
I think your friends set up sounds fine. |
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connormum
Bronze Member
175 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 9:34:46 PM
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| Mine is now 7 and he either sits in the car playing his DS or runs about playing with the other kids his age and younger in the fields, hay barn. Don't like them running in the yard as there are a few green youngsters who have just arrived. He was just turned 6 when I got Freddie at my previous yard and either sat in the car or ran around with the others, different set up. I'd say, personally if your friends child is safe, warm and happy, confined in a travel cot etc and checked regularly, he/she would be fine. Many kids have much worse starts. I can't see any problem with it tbh. As long as the child is safe and happy and the adults can hear him/her if needed. Hope she gets it sorted :) Sarah x |
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arabesque
Silver Member
339 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 9:54:27 PM
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I used to have to take mine with me when they were young - it was a nightmare! Your friend's setup sounds as good as it's going to get, I'd have been over the moon with those facilities. What about setting up a 2-way radio system, then it would be similar to having the toddler in a different room with a baby monitor?
Hopefully Social Services show some common sense! |
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brack369
Gold Member
559 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 10:32:00 PM
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Like emmo I try to avoid taking my twins. My horses are extremely gentle but it only takes something to spook them and the kids would be splattered. They usually play on my phone in the car or when horses are out they help me make feeds etc. I think your friends set up is great, it's not dissimilar to putting the child in a safe playpen with tv on while you cook the dinner in the kitchen.
It's really difficult when you have children with you. I personally don't let mine out of my sight for their own safety mainly but also out of consideration for other people and their horses. We have mums who allow their children to cycle round the yard while they muck out and have a chat. The other evening i went to put my horses away for the night and the kuds were all playing football in middle of yard. It made me nervous to leave my horses in the middle of such commotion.
It's nice to involve the children and get them out in the fresh air but they have to be extremely well supervised! |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 12:56:57 AM
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I would also think that your friend is doing it very well, the idea of a baby monitor as well would be an extra safeguard, but as brack369 says, it is no different to having your child in it's cot/playpen upstairs or in the living room while you are cooking in the kitchen or cleaning the rest of the house - not very practical to have a toddler clutching you when you are doing the housework, and certainly not a good idea to have a toddler out on the yard while you are handling horses. I know a certain eventer's wife who used to tuck her baby up in his pram and leave him in the tack room while she exercised her horse - there were 3 grooms on the yard that kept an eye on him, but obviously had to get on with their yard duties, so he didn't have a constant baby sitter with him. Nothing disastrous happened.
Sound's like interference from an over zealous busybody, hopefully social services will show some common sense - this is hardly neglect! |
  Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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applause
Bronze Member
England
134 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 05:42:31 AM
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I have 3 9,13 and 14 and all 3 had to be out with me whilst on the farm as i didn't have the luxury of someone to look after them!
They would spend a lot of time in the pram as babies in all weathers, and in the buggy as toddlers. we are also a working farm as well as having horses so probably even more dangers. they all used to go to the creche for a morning a week so i could catch up. the discovery and car seat would also be usefull if we were doing cow things!
It certainly hasn't done them any harm. |
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Dark Angel
Silver Member
England
285 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 06:28:36 AM
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Do you think it could be someone on the yard who has contacted social services? Just a thought.
I agree with Suyents, tell SS to take a running jump and go and investigate some deserving causes.
Too many kids grow up in their living rooms in front of the television these days. You can't beat fresh air, exercise and a bit of mud. These are the kids who grow up well adjusted and with healthy immune systems.
As long as children aren't too noisy and not being a nuisance to others there is no reason to exclude them from the yard. |
Hereford |
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delly-b
Gold Member
United Kingdom
1107 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 09:45:59 AM
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| I personally think your friend is doing the right thing, so long as the child is regularly checked on. As others have said horse yards can be dangerous for young children , well and adults! Of course it's a different story though if the child is left there for hours on end alone and not checked on. It sounds like a very good set up to me with the facilities in place. It's not that the child is loose in the room to get into danger. I'm sure if it was investigated they would realise this.. |
       
Adele
Batley, West Yorkshire |
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alan
Silver Member
England
434 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 12:40:27 PM
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| My friend contacted social services herself as her older daughters father has been acting "inappropriately" towards her. They visited her at the yard. Its a private stud with no one else there. As soon as social services arrived they were more concerned about the toddler in the play pen than the original reason for them being called. They have FORCED my friend to place her child in nursery from 9 til 3 Monday to Friday or else they will prosecute her for neglect. |
www.spirit-arabians.co.uk |
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alan
Silver Member
England
434 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 12:44:09 PM
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| My friend contacted social services herself as her older daughters father has been acting "inappropriately" towards her. They visited her at the yard. Its a private stud with no one else there. As soon as social services arrived they were more concerned about the toddler in the play pen than the original reason for them being called. They have FORCED my friend to place her child in nursery from 9 til 3 Monday to Friday or else they will prosecute her for neglect. |
www.spirit-arabians.co.uk |
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delly-b
Gold Member
United Kingdom
1107 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 12:54:38 PM
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OMG!!!!! .... Saying that, why doesn't it suprise me??!!
The poor woman... Did they not do anything regarding the original complaint then?... Oh I hope she can get them to see sense. I can only imagine what she must be going through. I hope she can get sone good legal advise and get it sorted out. |
Adele
Batley, West Yorkshire |
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kathleen
Platinum Member
England
1835 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 1:35:59 PM
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| Both of mine used to sit in the truck 6 foot away opposite the stable with windows open so they could talk to me as I mucked out(Livery yard with lots of other people and farm machinery) then a walk with me , Dog and Alliya and if they where really good i would put their hats on and Alliya would gently walk down the private lane to the gate |
http://www.jollyfryer.com/ Great British Fish & Chips
susan.oliver70@ntlworld.com
    
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gcarrie9
Bronze Member
England
103 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 2:50:17 PM
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| Safety is paramount in my eyes, I have had the same horse for 14 years and just the other day an unexpected low flying aircraft took us both by surprise and he accidentally knocked me over. A swift unintentional kick in the head for a small child and it's all over. When you have horses that are stabled there are necessary jobs to be done every day, and I don't even let my dogs run around them, I certainly wouldn't allow my children to. Obviously a busy-body with good intentions in the wrong direction. I feel very sorry, I hope it turns out ok for your friend. |
Carrie |
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suyents
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1651 Posts |
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alan
Silver Member
England
434 Posts |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 9:29:08 PM
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| One of our liveries used to put her baby in the wheelbarrow - we told her social services would have a field day, as if they don't have any real cases to chase. |
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alan
Silver Member
England
434 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2012 : 9:44:57 PM
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| The latest on this is they're now checking to see where the kids sleep & the state of the house!! They even commented that the children's finger nails are a bit long & dirty. Surely this is a case of harassment & invasion of privacy? She runs her stud single handed & don't claim a penny from the government. That on earth is going on?!! |
www.spirit-arabians.co.uk |
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applause
Bronze Member
England
134 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2012 : 06:17:23 AM
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dosen't it make you so angry why don't they stop wasting time and concentrate on real problems!!
And on another note gcarrie kids can get injured without horses, my youngest daughter on her first day at playschool rushed in, slipped and hit her head on the corner of a table leaving it quite badly cut. she now has a 'Harry Potter' scar. I think my kids have had more injuries with no horses than with!!! |
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Toddlers
