Re: RC: Riding with children

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated Wed, 18 Apr 2001  2:12:52 PM Eastern Daylight Time, "C. Osborne" <whiteokarabians@email.com> writes:

<< I've heard that some diehard endurance riders take   their younguns with them on the trail. What has been ya'll   experience?    I can't imagine that it could be safe for a 2-3 yr   old--period, no matter how wonderful the horse is.    I would figure that Base Camp and a bunch of other   kids/toys to play with would be much more appropriate. Aren't there   teenagers out there who are horse crazy enough to go to the rides and baby sit   for ya while you're on the trail? >>

Ah, Corrine, this could be a topic almost as volatile as dogs in camp!  Over the years, I've seen the best and the worst of child-watching arrangements at endurance rides.  There ARE those small children who are so enamored with riding that they really are ready to do a gentle LD when they are quite small.  I'd say they are the exceptions rather than the rule, but they are out there.  And it is a joy to watch a truly patient mother sponsoring such a child.  I've further had the privilege of sponsoring children as young as 6 and 7 who truly WERE ready to ride, and quite capable of going out with an understanding sponsor, without a parent!  (Several years ago I hauled one young man at age 7 to a 75-miler 300 miles from home--his mom was injured mid-season, and he was running for AERC National Champion back in the days when that meant most accumulated points over the season--he was WELL prepared to ride, VERY eager, VERY polite, knew exactly what his horse ate, did all his presen!
ting to vets on his own, etc.--j
ust needed a leg-up to get back on, because he was not very big and his stirrups were a LONG way up there!  We finished 3rd and 4th in some fairly decent competition, as I recall.  This ride is still one of the highlights of my career because of how much fun it was to spend the weekend with this superb youngster.)  There are also the parents that are so focused that they have no clue that the child is not having fun--NOT such a joy to watch these.  

But the base camp situation has been abused to death by some parents!  No, base camp is NOT a very safe place for a small child, unless they are closely watched.  NOTHING is more heart-stopping, as a ride vet, than to see an unattended toddler careen through a vet line.  Give me a loose dog ANY day--and I hate that with a passion!  Horses are big, dangerous critters for small, unobservant, unattended fledgling humans to have to deal with!  We've had the occasional family that has abused the presence of non-riding teens for babysitting to the point that every teen hides when they see those people's rigs pull into camp!  If you are going to utilize teens who come to the rides, make arrangements in advance, and PAY them for babysitting services.  The parents with toddlers whom I respect the most either make a choice that one parent will not ride, or else bring a responsible adult or older teen with them (mother-in-law, neighbor, grandpa, whoever) whose sole responsibility it is t!
o babysit.  Some of these folks 
have become regular fixtures at rides, and even lend a hand from time to time, when it is compatable with babysitting duties.  And often they can combine some crewing duties with babysitting as well, especially since they can turn the toddler over to mom or dad while they crew mom or dad's horse.  Kudos to parents who take both parenting AND riding seriously enough to make sure that both bases are adequately covered!  But PLEASE, don't just bring small children and assume that they will be looked after in camp!  I'd almost rather they be out there on horses!

Heidi