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Post by spirithawk06 on Feb 2, 2015 21:51:06 GMT
I won't be putting a large child on a mini. I don't like that idea at all. They're too small. A tiny child like Roselyn wouldn't be a problem, but older kids, no. At this point, I'm looking more towards pony-size or a mini that could be a pet for her. We do want more children, so the mini or pony would be "in use" for quite some time. I do want to train to drive and maybe do parades with it if it's calm enough for that. Ros won't be unsupervised at all with any horse. She never is. I was just thinking of going the mini/pony route because she already wants to ride and play with the horses and they're just so big. I know a mini/pony can hurt her, but the size difference isn't quite as extreme and she can learn from one. We also don't mind pasture puffs and the kids like to pet the goats when they come visit, it would be the same with the mini.
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Post by carshon on Feb 3, 2015 14:23:08 GMT
I never had any luck with ponies and my kids. I have 4 kids and we have had a few ponies - yes, I did have some really good ponies (had 2 awesome kids ponies) but they really never got used like I thought they would. When the kids were really little they did not want to be on a pony by themselves. They preferred to be led or ride double with me, as they got older (6 and up) they would ride but not for very long - it was more work getting the pony saddled and ready to ride than they wanted to spend time on them. Both of my daughters really did not get the bug to ride until they were about 11 - Amanda had a really great little POA mare and we rode together everywhere - the mare unfortunately coliced and died when she was 14 and she has never been on a horse since (she is now 25) my youngest is 15 now and rides a great little Foxtrotter. She had just really started riding with her Dad and I at about the age of 10 when Sunny had to be put down - Sunny was quite old by this time. My daughter waited about a year and then asked to get another horse- and that is when we got the Foxtrotter.
Spirit- I do not know you personally so please do not get offended - but I would hold off on buying a horse or pony for a 2 yr old. At that age all kids love the pony rides but you may find yourself with a pony that you do not handle much and that Roselyn is not really interested in as she gets older. I had to learn the hard way - that just because I was horse crazy - that did not mean my kids would be. I bought ponies hoping my kids would be interested and was usually disappointed - my kids would ride if I begged but no one was horse crazy.
Take your time - give pony rides on one of you trustworthy horses - let Roselyn decide when she is ready for a pony.
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hugs
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Post by hugs on Feb 4, 2015 2:02:07 GMT
I can see Carshon's point about not buying a mini and I think it like that for a parent buying a pet or livestock for any child. It is a rare child that has the initiative to actually care for any animal, no matter how much the love them. And that's simple biology, kids don't have the maturity to forgo comfort for responsibility. I'm not saying never, but not common. I think Spirit knows full well she is the responsible party no matter what. But I get the idea your plate is full pretty much all of the time too and of course its your pocketbook that's at risk too. Perhaps there are folks who'd free lease or let you borrow one.
Oh and I wouldn't make too much of the girl jumping off. Those girls weren't trying to show off the mini's training. They were just girls showing off
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Post by spirithawk06 on Feb 6, 2015 1:50:04 GMT
Roselyn already has a horse earmarked for her own, but Melody isn't even a yearling. I could put her on the larger horses, all are great with kids, otherwise they'd have been rehomed already. We already rehomed the others who were not a fit with our personalities or were not safe to be around. The main reason why I was considering it was because the colt was offered in trade when I was looking to sell my geese. I'm not set on the idea, nor am I going in blindly.
I don't expect my toddler to be responsible for the care of a pet. As she grows older, she will take more responsibility. That's how I was raised. I had a dog of my own at two years old. Mom took care of our pets until we were old enough and then we took responsibility. It worked out for us. We were raised around animals, my allergies were far less severe than they would have been (dr.'s words), and we learned responsibility and compassion. I want that for my daughter.
As of right now, I haven't found any that interest me. All are either too far, overpriced, wild, or have obvious health issues. We do have a good bit on our plates at the moment, though I just downsized to 10 ducks and 12 chickens. I'm about to downsize to two goats too. Things are far more manageable with the smaller numbers.
I got sick, so the mini/pony idea was put on the back burner anyway. If it's meant to be, the right one will come along. In the meantime, thanks for the advice and no offence taken at all.
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hugs
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Post by hugs on Feb 6, 2015 10:01:48 GMT
First of all, I'm so sorry you got sick. Its been pretty harsh all over Minnesota, very bad winter for a lot of folks. I've had this "congestion thing" for months and nothing to do about it since it isnt an infection, I'm just f*d up, pardon my french, I'm also rather crude. Its really tough to have a job AND a family to look after PLUS all of those animals.
It seems to me that its fun to think about these trades and stuff. Just to kick around the idea, its exciting. Maybe next time we'll have more fun with it.
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Post by horselady on Feb 6, 2015 12:44:56 GMT
Sometimes we just want to keep reaching for the dream, to have and to give and to take care but sometimes the best thing is to wait. get the house and our health in order and the animals we have and perhaps one day add to it. i am cutting back also. in the spring i will be sellng about 8 horses. or practically give them away. these are horses that have come into our lives because we had to give them a home. but expenses and time and my and hubbies age says to sell.
Roslyn will have her little horse and you will, i am sure, give any animal you get a great life and home. for now take care of what you have and your health.
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Post by spirithawk06 on Feb 7, 2015 2:40:50 GMT
First of all, I'm so sorry you got sick. Its been pretty harsh all over Minnesota, very bad winter for a lot of folks. I've had this "congestion thing" for months and nothing to do about it since it isnt an infection, I'm just f*d up, pardon my french, I'm also rather crude. Its really tough to have a job AND a family to look after PLUS all of those animals. It seems to me that its fun to think about these trades and stuff. Just to kick around the idea, its exciting. Maybe next time we'll have more fun with it. "Congestion thing" pretty much describes what I'm dealing with! Even my ears feel blocked. It sucks because it bothers me so bad but the congestion is behind the ears, so I can't just clear it out. Roselyn has become congested too. Not sure if it's just the 4 incisors and 4 molars coming out AT THE SAME TIME, or just the crazy weather, shorts in the day time and winter coats by nightfall! The person we got our aussies from has some, but I doubt she'll still have them when we would be able to pay what she's asking and not be in a bind if an emergency vet bill comes along. |
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hugs
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Post by hugs on Feb 7, 2015 3:58:24 GMT
I live in a teeny rental townhouse with a loft for the bedroom. I've done my best to weatherstrip and all of that but it is SO drafty downstairs and incredibly hot and stuffy upstairs. I run fans 24/7 to help circulate the air. It helps but I used to have them blowing on me until I got this congestion thing and thought I was getting sicker. Can't take a chance of getting sick. I have a vaporizer going 24/7 too or it is way too dry, have to change the water as it gets these brown cloudy blobs from who knows what. Could be mold, maybe I should get some petri dishes and find out?! Hmm...  Okay, I'm gonna google lab supplies and see what I can find... |
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hugs
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Post by hugs on Feb 7, 2015 13:15:44 GMT
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Post by horselover4life on Feb 7, 2015 14:32:29 GMT
Ever the "scientist" and exploring mind... 
I kept quiet till now but have to agree with what so many are saying...
WAIT!!!
Give the occasional pony ride now on one of your trusted horses.
When the time is right, the right mount will fall into your lap....or already has!
You already have her horse, Melody...let them grow together.
Till the time is right for being astride....use your current horses you know and trust.
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hugs
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Post by hugs on Feb 7, 2015 14:44:56 GMT
Horses know kids from adults of course and if that horse is compassionate for lack of a better more horse-centric term then they actually behave better with kids than adults. I've seen it and think its very interesting. Of course I wonder why? Where does that compassion come from? How would you know it if you saw it and know that it isn't a one-time-thing.
Which gets me to ponying a precious child on a larger horse. If I'm out there in front leading the horse then I'll want someone to walk beside the child to be at the ready to pull them off should something happen. I suppose one could train a horse to go forward when the "leader" is behind. Any comments on that?
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Post by horselover4life on Feb 7, 2015 15:22:51 GMT
Comment....
A horse, any horse when led should be at your shoulder.
Never you in front of them in actuality.
At the shoulder you have more control and authority of the situation and things happening in your surroundings.
When in front you don't "see" what is happening behind you sometimes till to late...being run over, or pushed aside is not pleasant.
If that horse is at your shoulder you "see" them, their ears, their eyes and their reaction to stimuli and surroundings as they occur and can compensate accordingly in a millisecond of time.
If at the shoulder, then yes, you could actually have a hand on the leg of the rider/child astride if need be.
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Post by spirithawk06 on Feb 7, 2015 15:53:29 GMT
Apollo is one of those who knows the difference between a kid and an adult. He bucks for adults. Kids can ride him all day and he will not even twitch his ears back. He keeps one ear back on his rider and one ear forward on his handler. An advanced kid rider was even neck reining on him in a round pen. A child ran under him before his mother could catch him and slapped his belly. Apollo just turned and nosed the kid's hair. I was leading him with a child on his back and walked through a shallow ditch. He jumped it instead of walking through it. I was searching for the kid on the ground because he was bareback and he managed to jump without dislodging his passenger. The kid was laughing asking to do it again. I did spend hours and hours desensitizing him to anything and everything I could think of, so that makes a difference, but he truly LOVES kids and has never even acted foolish with a kid around. I don't get how he changes so much from one age range to another.
Hurricane and Star are also kid friendly. Star won't even go above a walk if he has a kid in the saddle unless the rider makes him and we've yet to get Hurricane above a walk on a lead.
Tilley can pony small kids too. It'll give her a job to do. She always looks sad when we take the others out and don't work her. She loves kids too.
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hugs
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Post by hugs on Feb 8, 2015 2:58:59 GMT
Comment....
A horse, any horse when led should be at your shoulder.
Never you in front of them in actuality.
At the shoulder you have more control and authority of the situation and things happening in your surroundings.
When in front you don't "see" what is happening behind you sometimes till to late...being run over, or pushed aside is not pleasant.
If that horse is at your shoulder you "see" them, their ears, their eyes and their reaction to stimuli and surroundings as they occur and can compensate accordingly in a millisecond of time.
If at the shoulder, then yes, you could actually have a hand on the leg of the rider/child astride if need be.
Oh I agree, totally agree. But if you're leading a horse you aren't attending to the child. I've seen people slip sideways when the horse was simply trotting?! I don't get that but then I sit a horse well. Anyway again, I totally agree. |
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