

AIBU to not want to take my 8mth old DD horse riding??

(43 Posts)
mangohedgehog Tue 12-Feb-13 19:44:44

Is it just me? I think I would be mad to do this!

DM wants to arrange pony trekking for the whole family. I have not sat on a horse for 20 years. DM thinks that baby DD can come on the horse with me. Apparently the stables has a special baby seat. No special baby riding hats though (they are in Greece).

Has anyone on here ever taken a baby on horseback?

firesidechat Wed 13-Feb-13 08:05:06

Both of my daughters rode horses, so I'm not anti horse or anything, but there is no way I would do that. I'm sure all the royal family were put on a horse at birth, but that doesn't seem sensible to me. The lack of properly fitting hats would put me right off.

I would highly recommend horse riding when she is older though. Both of mine rode for years and it did wonders for their confidence and self esteem.

I work with and have horses. It is complete insanity for your DM to even put this idea forward. I would maybe do it on a plod with a basket saddle in this country with a leader and somebody walking alongside the baby supporting (and ready to catch) but even then I really struggle to see any point in the effort. Hard hats don't come small enough for a baby, my DC where 3 before they started riding and I don't allow them on the yard without a hard hat.
The places offering riding in Grease (and other holiday destination countries) are notorious for their lack of safety measure and poorly trained and kept horses. I wouldn't ride with the vast majority of them (carefully research will pull some gems from the sludge though) let alone let my children ride.
YADNBU and can tell DM that it is simply never going to happen and she is quite mad to even think about it!

catgirl1976 England Tue 12-Feb-13 23:22:35

I have horses and I wouldn't

A horse is not a machine

You can't predict what it might do

propertyNIGHTmareBEFOREXMAS Tue 12-Feb-13 23:05:36

That is some fucked up shit. Yanbu.

Stinkyminkymoo Tue 12-Feb-13 22:07:03

No fucking way! Is she mad?! I have my own horses and wouldn't do this.

I know someone who had one of those basket things she would put on her horse and it slipped and the baby fell out! No damage but it could have been nasty if the horse had panicked.

spiritedaway Tue 12-Feb-13 22:06:42

Actually i think it could put the baby at risk of shaken baby syndrome. Every post i make seems to reference my mental ex but he wanted to take our baby off road cycling in a back pack. . 6 months. I was so concerned i spoke to my gp who as it happens was a cyclist and explained the dangers of the vibrations before 1 yr and the risk of positional asphyxiation from wearing a helmet. YANBU

SomethingProfound Tue 12-Feb-13 21:42:16


Total madness!

Show her this thread!

Midori1999 Tue 12-Feb-13 21:39:30

It's insane and very dangerous. The chance of something happening are small, but the consequences if it did could be huge.

I have had horses all my adult life until the last few years and can't wait to get DD on a pony hopefully, but not until she's at least three, unless its a potter on a friends pony with me holding onto her.

Lovecat Tue 12-Feb-13 21:28:28

Is it in Crete, by any chance? DH and I went riding there years before DD and it was a bloody nightmare - we're both experienced riders and we struggled with the horses, they were used to doing what the hell they wanted and carted several people off into a vineyard we passed to have a quick snack, kicked out at each other, decided they didn't want to walk - absolute chaos as most of the riders were completely inexperienced and there were about 20 of us which was far too many. Plus, yes, local youths thought it v. funny to jump out and spook the horses.

If it is the same people, all I can think is that they also have a horse drawn carriage for non-riders and possibly they mean you ride in that with your baby - but even then I'd be wary!

Glad you've decided no way smile

poodletip Tue 12-Feb-13 21:20:38

YADNBU that sounds insane!

RafflesWay Tue 12-Feb-13 21:15:24

YADNBU op! What if for any reason your dd proves to be allergic to horses?
We found out our dd has this allergy at her first attempt at riding for the disabled - she is SEN and was 8 at the time - and she had an horrendous reaction which could be life threatening to someone so young let alone the thought of trying to balance an 8 month old on such a massive animal to such a small child.
Stick to your guns OP!

gordyslovesheep Germany Tue 12-Feb-13 21:14:44

No way YANBU - we all ride but I would not have let my 8th old do so! and mine never ride without a hat!

mangohedgehog Tue 12-Feb-13 21:12:48

Good, I'm glad it's her that's mad and not me!

No fucking way. I'll tell her that then

rollmopses Tue 12-Feb-13 21:11:29

Absolutely ridiculous idea. There's no such thing as a bomb-proof horse and you do not want to have a baby with you, without a proper hat at that, when you find that out.
Totally mad.

MamaBear17 Tue 12-Feb-13 21:09:00

Sorry DM, not MIL. My confusion stems from the fact that when my dd was 9 weeks old my MIL wanted me to take dd on a rickety paddle boat!

thebody Tue 12-Feb-13 21:08:54

Definatly no. Greece is not known for their health and safety laws.

Tell her to fuck off.

HollyBerryBush Tue 12-Feb-13 21:08:16

I wouldnt recommend it but I have photos of my G/grandad colt taming with his new born daughter in the crook of his arm. Them's were the days! But he was a born gaucho

MamaBear17 Tue 12-Feb-13 21:07:17

That would be completely insane. Tell your MIL that you and baby will watch from the sidelines. What if the horse jolted and you lost your grip? Go with your gut, it isnt safe so do not do it!

Sashapineapple Tue 12-Feb-13 21:07:15

You DM sounds totally insane. I just can't believe anyone with half a brain would think that was a good idea.

EuroShagmore Tue 12-Feb-13 21:04:49

No fucking way.

TheNoodlesIncident Tue 12-Feb-13 21:03:19

I remember a woman doing that at a livery stable which did mini treks. The woman customer actually held the baby on the pommel of the saddle, just in front of her. The horse she was riding was known to be a total plodder. The baby seemed to be less than 8 months (although I couldn't be sure obviously) and didn't always hold her head up reliably.

I thought she was INSANE. And I was a lot younger then.

(Also, we went horse-riding in Greece, and some youths in a 4x4 deliberately spooked the horses and videoed the result. Not saying this would happen to you, but...)

tazzle22 Tue 12-Feb-13 20:49:44

I think what the special seat is .... maybe its a basket saddle

I dont think you can get saddles you can both sit on together.

I think babies can like the action of being on a horse and if you are leading a reliable pony or horse it can be good fun for everyone. Having said that, and me having plonked my own children and grandchildren on my own horse and RDA horses over the years ( and doing things some blanche at like letting little kids groom biggish horses)....... I would not do a trek with such a young baby with me on another horse. ALWAYS have a hard hat on !!!! .... the fact they dont have one would be the most compelling reason not to do this trek with these people at this time.

IneedAsockamnesty Tue 12-Feb-13 20:46:35

Yanbu your mother is barking

ENormaSnob Tue 12-Feb-13 20:37:11

Totally stupid idea.

goneHaywire Tue 12-Feb-13 20:31:45

I'm convinced that something weird happens in a person's brain when they become a grandparent, the crazy things they say and do knows no bounds. I find myself thinking "who the hell are you? and what have you done with my parents?"

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