[DisneyCowgirl1901]

I am so excited to be moving Bella and Teddy to a new barn. They will be 10 minutes away! Right now I drive 45 minutes to see them. The facility is gorgeous, and Bella will have a 48'x48' paddock covered in oak trees! She will also have a separate covered stall for SoCal's "rainy" days lol. The lady has a wonderful "Senior" program for horses over 20, so Bella will be getting premium feed, soaked everyday, plus any hay she may feel like munching on. There are over 10 horses there that are over 20, though NONE of them look it. Bella will be the oldest (she'll be 29 in March).

They also are letting Teddy the pony come too, for free.... well actually I have to ride and groom some horses... bummer LOL. She has a couple Drafties for my fiance to ride too, so now me, my daughter, and my fiance can ride together!

I am really sad that my current barn had to close, but I am happy I was able to find a great place for my babies. The only thing I am worried about is that me having a toddler around will make other boarders annoyed. She is usually very well behaved, but she is a toddler, and has fits. At my current barn we are the only non-absentee boarders, so we have the facility to ourselves. My daughter gets to walk around freely, and I know it will be a hard adjustment for the both of us. I am constantly teaching her barn etiquette.... No running, quiet voices, stay by me, but again, she's not even 3 yet.

Does anyone have any advice or personal experiences with toddlers at the barn??

 

[Becca93]

I don't have a toddler or such, but I think as long as people are aware that she is around and that they can see you are teaching her barn etiquette than most people will be okay. There will always be someone that doesn't like children or something similar. Just don't leave her unsupervised (which I don't believe you would) and she will learn what she can and can't do.

 

[iridehorses]

As a border, I might have a problem with a toddler around. It wouldn't be the "outside" voice that I would be concerned with, it would be having to be careful about handling my horse with a little one around. It would be having to worry about them being in the wrong place at the wrong time and getting hurt. You can't watch your little one while taking care of horses or while you and your fiance are riding. Things around horses happen in a heartbeat and it isn't fair for a border to have to worry about someone's child.

Even keeping your child close is a problem too. A horse you are grooming moves wrong, or your child drops a toy that rolls under the horse. A border shouldn't have to worry about that.

That is my take on it, for what it's worth.

 

[JumpingTheMoon]

As a boarder and now as a BM I'm concerned with the smaller children. Through no fault of their own. I have three children, two of which are under 4. Simply for their safety only I have arranged babysitters for while I'm at the barn. While my children by other people's standards are well behaved (I think they're terrorists in training) horses are unpredictable. I would feel beyond terrible if my horse hurt someone's child, regardless of the situation.

So... all that said... maybe til she's a bit bigger can you arrange a sitter?

 

[DisneyCowgirl1901]

Well, she HAS a pony that will be there so I can't not take her. She will be the main one riding, and when we all ride she will be ponied with us on Teddy... I don't worry at all with my mare and her, but I am worried about everyone else. Since my fiance would be there too, it's not just my eyes on her as well. She does know to stay away from others peoples horses, we have to pick her up for her to meet others horses. And this is a western barn so I know I don't have hot horses here, they are mostly old laid back QHs. Nor is it a competition barn. Most people are trail riders, and they are all off the property.

I spoke with my BO this morning after reading what you guys wrote here and voiced my concerns that my daughter would be a nuisance, and she informed me that nearly everyone there started out with their kids being my daughters age (they are now 4-8) and she herself has her young son that will be out there. She said that if anyone is ever rude to me or my daughter about it to let her know, that if they don't like having kids around they could find somewhere else to board :/ She said this is a family barn, an that includes all family. I wont be "telling" on anyone if they are rude, I will just be sure to steer clear of whomever it is.

 

[Crimsonhorse01]

Sounds like you found a great barn for your situation!

 

[kchfuller]

sounds like you are taking action to make sure that she isn't a problem out at the barn which i think is best!

like others have said i would only be concerned if my horse were to spook or something and your daughter get hurt, but you seem to have a handle on keeping an eye on her Good luck at the new place!

 

[my2geldings]

Well, she HAS a pony that will be there so I can't not take her. She will be the main one riding, and when we all ride she will be ponied with us on Teddy... I don't worry at all with my mare and her, but I am worried about everyone else. Since my fiance would be there too, it's not just my eyes on her as well. She does know to stay away from others peoples horses, we have to pick her up for her to meet others horses. And this is a western barn so I know I don't have hot horses here, they are mostly old laid back QHs. Nor is it a competition barn. Most people are trail riders, and they are all off the property.

I spoke with my BO this morning after reading what you guys wrote here and voiced my concerns that my daughter would be a nuisance, and she informed me that nearly everyone there started out with their kids being my daughters age (they are now 4-8) and she herself has her young son that will be out there. She said that if anyone is ever rude to me or my daughter about it to let her know, that if they don't like having kids around they could find somewhere else to board :/ She said this is a family barn, an that includes all family. I wont be "telling" on anyone if they are rude, I will just be sure to steer clear of whomever it is.

It sounds like you have everything under control. Dont worry about it so much. People are people and as much as you are concerned about them, there will always be one or two who has a problem. Nothing you can do about it.
Keep an eye on your little girlf for safety and go have some fun!

 

[DisneyCowgirl1901]

Thanks

 

[my2geldings]

Its a great opportunity to practice the "smile, nod and walking away" for the ones who will find something to say. Have fun, we will all be expecting pictures!

 

[DisneyCowgirl1901]

haha I'm good at that Trust me... between me and my fiance (photographer) I'll have loads of pictures to share!