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 Member
Posts: 46
| I'm getting back in the saddle in a few weeks (getting a filly to ride, yay!) But I have an extremely active 16mo old. I'm planning on putting him in a stroller while I tack up then putting him in a play pen when im riding. What are some tips and tricks yall moms have used. I have very littpe help when it comes to watching him. Thanks!
He doesn't like cartoons or any tablet. He's weird. Lol |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
 
Location: on the fine line between insanity and geniusness | BUMP x 1000!!! Mine will be a year old December 7th so he’s at that age that toys don’t entertain him long. Now that it’s cold outside I’m hindered to days when daddy gets in early enough that he can corral him long enough for me to sneak to the barn! |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
 
Location: Arkansas | Bump |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 898
Location: Mountains of VA | All new/young moms need some "me" time. Riding can be extremely physically and mentally helpful. Your toddler might fuss some in his play pen, but that is o.k., he will and can learn how to entertain himself for 45 min. or an hour while you are riding.
Please do not use eletronic toys for him. He can learn much from just a few toys intead of sensory overload with too many toys.
Wish I had the opportunity to babysit my grandaughter but they live too far away.
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Member
Posts: 33
| I have a 15mo old and have been riding since she was about a month... there have been a few occasions this summer where she has stayed in the stroller while I rode but mostly I am fortunate to have a super hubby and family close who can watch her for me. Nonetheless between working and other life/ Mom/ wife duties, there certainly is far less time for horses, but I have made it work.
I have had to change my standards from what they were pre-baby; manes and tails rarely get brushed anymore, alter my riding routine (a quick ride with only 30 minutes of horse time in the afternoon is better than nothing!) and have a bit different expectations at competition based on the time I currently can commit to my horses.
I do have a college gal who long trots, cleans pens and helps with other odds and ends 2-3x week which does take a lot of stress out of trying to get everything done myself.
Sounds like you have the passion to make it happen and you will figure it out!! Good luck and good job Mom!!
Edited by acee06 2017-11-23 7:24 PM
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 Lived to tell about it and will never do it again
Posts: 5409
| I had a little fenced in yard next to where I rode, sand box, swing set and other toys. If you are riding by yourself always call someone when riding so that if you don't check in by a certain time they will check on you and baby. Where there is a will there is a way, sometimes you just have to be creative. When had a newborn I rode after his early morning bottle while hubby was getting ready for work, that gave me time to get in his 3 mile long trotting down the road. It can be done. |
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 Certified Snake Wrangler
Posts: 1672
Location: North MS | I have a 2 year old as of last week. My riding time before I went back to work when he was one consisted of maybe twice a week. Now that I am back to work I am lucky if I get once a week. So I bought a horse walker to keep the horses in shape. Playpen just isn't happening these days- so his grandma watches him or his dad. I officially layed down the law this week and said I am hauling one night a week to an arena to ride since the time changed. Just one night. Hubby is off deer hunting on all his off time, but Wednesday night is mine. I NEED to get back in sync with my horses instead of just winging it like I have the past year. I went to a clinic, I have a plan, I have a goal. Some want to make me feel bad saying they are only small once- well he will see hard work and goals. He will learn to put in effort. I love my cuddle and play time but sometimes it seems like Momma is the only one doing any of the "home work". So I need my therapy time too. Sorry I'm not much help. It would literally take a fence, play area beside my little plowed patch of ground for me to accomplish anything at the moment without a babysitter. Bloody murder would be screamed from a stroller. |
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Lived to tell about it and will never do it again
Posts: 5409
| We have made a little sand box play yard out of welded wire horse pannels. Bought two and cut each one in 1/2 hight wise and made a little yard for our grand daughters so their dad can rope with us. It is right beside the arena where we can talk to them and watch them play.
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 No Tune in a Bucket
Posts: 2935
Location: Texas | euchee - 2017-11-23 8:25 PM
I had a little fenced in yard next to where I rode, sand box, swing set and other toys. If you are riding by yourself always call someone when riding so that if you don't check in by a certain time they will check on you and baby. Where there is a will there is a way, sometimes you just have to be creative. When had a newborn I rode after his early morning bottle while hubby was getting ready for work, that gave me time to get in his 3 mile long trotting down the road. It can be done.
I actually think this is a great idea. Then when you no longer need it as a play area you can convert it into a dog pen. And who doesn't need a good dog pen. Just saying..... |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 899
Location: Idaho | Jo_Cat - 2017-11-24 3:56 AM
I'm getting back in the saddle in a few weeks (getting a filly to ride, yay!) But I have an extremely active 16mo old. I'm planning on putting him in a stroller while I tack up then putting him in a play pen when im riding. What are some tips and tricks yall moms have used. I have very littpe help when it comes to watching him. Thanks!
He doesn't like cartoons or any tablet. He's weird. Lol
Don't have any advice for ya, but happy to hear you're getting back to riding!! Enjoy lady!! :D |
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 Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
Location: SW North Dakota | euchee - 2017-11-23 7:25 PM I had a little fenced in yard next to where I rode, sand box, swing set and other toys. If you are riding by yourself always call someone when riding so that if you don't check in by a certain time they will check on you and baby. Where there is a will there is a way, sometimes you just have to be creative. When had a newborn I rode after his early morning bottle while hubby was getting ready for work, that gave me time to get in his 3 mile long trotting down the road. It can be done.
I made a "kid corral" out of hog panels when my kids were toddlers. They had construction toys, barn/corral toys- cool, sturdy old second hand store toys that were NOT allowed out of the kid corral. I had a cheap little play tent, some sand... occasionally, I'd chuck a dog or goat in to keep them company. They LOVED playing in their pen by the arena. I'd try to keep my rides under an hour, so they wouldn't get sick of it. They ate their fair share of dirt, and would sometimes fight, but they were safe and happy overall. An added benefit is that it was SO fun in the kid corral, they'd sometimes beg me to go ride so they could play with those cool toys. It was 16' square with an old chainlink dog kennel gate.
When they were babies, I'd either let them nap in the stroller and lope circles around them, so I could keep an eye on them OR when it was chilly, I'd drive around until they fell asleep in their carseats and lope circles around the car (or nearby). Sometimes, they'd wake up and cry, but I'd finish what I was doing and get to them in 5 minutes or so. I figured it would build character. It must have worked, because they are 15 and 17 and have PLENTY of character!! LOL!
It did get a little boring, but I worked drills and reining patterns, etc. At least I could keep my sanity and my horses stayed legged up. At barrel races, I would take a neighbor girl OR pay fuel and fees for a traveling partner if she'd help me keep an eye on the kids. I had good friends where paying wasn't necessary, but I did it anyway as a sign of my DEEP appreciation! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| I would just confine my child to the all terrain jogger or a playpen. Unfortunately this meant I couldn't ride for very long as it got cold- and we have no lights and lots of mountain lions/coyotes, etc so baby had to be close.
Now that he is older and we have moved to a boarding facility with lights my guy plays in the trailer or in the arena as I ride. At the other place I would give him some sandbox toys and lock him in the round pen (it had high sides) so that he could play, I could get a short ride in, and nothing animal wise could get in.
I feel ya with these troubles. It's hard when your husband works late and you need/want to ride. Just remember that if you are rural and if it's just you and baby- if something happens to you your baby is at the mercy of the elements or whatever until someone else shows up or you come to. (I know some say not to be paranoid, but it is a possibility that I had to think about.) |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 387
| does anybody have a husband that works on the road and no family close by? how do you ride then?
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| Baby swing on the hot walker. My daughter would be content swinging for a good hour most days. I never let them on there with horses on it, just while I rode.
My son on the other hand hated the horse walker swing. He was perfectly content playing with his 25 tractors in the dirt while I rode. |
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 The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | bscanchaser - 2018-01-09 11:11 AM Baby swing on the hot walker. My daughter would be content swinging for a good hour most days. I never let them on there with horses on it, just while I rode.
My son on the other hand hated the horse walker swing. He was perfectly content playing with his 25 tractors in the dirt while I rode.
That's awesome for slightly older kids. Heck, I want to do it! lol |
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Riding + baby