Are you a horse owner who's also a grandparent? I'm working on a future H&R article that'll examine the effects of grandparenthood on the horse world, and have a few questions you could help me with. (FYI, the number of people becoming grandparents is seriously on the rise--by 2010, one in three Americands will be a grandparent, so it's bound to include a lot of horse people.)

1. What horse involvement, if any, are you able to provide for your grandchild/grandchildren?

2. Are the parents supportive, resistant, or neutral about your wanting to get the grandchild/grandchildren involved with horses?

3. What kinds of horse-interest purchases, if any, have you made on behalf of your grandchild/grandchildren? For instance: Have your purchased toys, books, clothing, child-sized tack,or other items that reflect a horse-related subject or interest?

If you choose to answer any of my questions, I'll need to know your name, and your city and state in order to incorporate any of your comments into the article.

I've been interested in this subject for several years, but didn't become a grandparent myself until just recently.

--Juli Thorson
H&R lifestyle editor

I do so wish that I could participate in this article .... maybe by next year, but not yet.
My daughter has confided in me that they are planning on starting a family ....
If & when I become a grandmother, I think that I would probably have positive answers to your questions since my daughter is just about as horse-crazy as I am !!
However, for now, that is all hypothetical.

1. What horse involvement, if any, are you able to provide for your grandchild/grandchildren?

I have 3 grandchildren. They are a girl 8+, a girl 5, and the boy is 2. I have 4 horses of my own including a pony I bought for the grandkids to ride or groom as it's so much easier to reach one your own size. The older girl usually rides my 16H qh as he is very well trained and the safest for her. The other 2 usually ride their mom's horse, who also lives here. They ride mine as well when they want to. I hope to be able to take them on trail rides with us when they are ready.

2. Are the parents supportive, resistant, or neutral about your wanting to get the grandchild/grandchildren involved with horses?

The parents(I have 2 sons and 1 DIL) are all receptive. My DIL came with her mare when she married my son.

3. What kinds of horse-interest purchases, if any, have you made on behalf of your grandchild/grandchildren? For instance: Have your purchased toys, books, clothing, child-sized tack,or other items that reflect a horse-related subject or interest?

We purchased a pony and tack to fit him as well as a second saddle to fit the horses and children. Also the girls often ask for/and receive horse toys. Both girls received barns for Christmas, along with appropriate sized horses and riders. They have been given books on horses via a book club. And we have purchased the girls each a pair of riding pants as well as helmets..


If you choose to answer any of my questions, I'll need to know your name, and your city and state in order to incorporate any of your comments into the article. Teresa Travnichek -- Rosalia, Ks

Hey Julie,

My grand daughter just turned 5 and I can't wait for her to start receiving riding lessons. Hope to start this summer.

1. What horse involvement, if any, are you able to provide for your grandchild/grandchildren?
I have three senior horses that are very gentle and do enjoy her company. Our horses are at our home so when she sees us, she sees them. We are planning on teaching her this summer.

2. Are the parents supportive, resistant, or neutral about your wanting to get the grandchild/grandchildren involved with horses?
A little bit hesitant but supportive. They want her to learn to ride, but they worry about the "what ifs".

3. What kinds of horse-interest purchases, if any, have you made on behalf of your grandchild/grandchildren? For instance: Have your purchased toys, books, clothing, child-sized tack,or other items that reflect a horse-related subject or interest?
We bought her a child size western saddle for christmas, she has a few books, also she has her own set of pink brushes. Our next purchase, is her riding helmet.

Thanks for your interest, hopefully we will be entering some walk-trot classes in the fall.

Grandma in Florida

I am a grandparent whose daughter-in-law and grandson live with us and all our animals. We have 5 horses. Right now my main concern is teaching a 2 year old safety around the horses. He, the 2 year old, is as fast as lightning and can even climb the fence to get to the barn and corrals, so we have to watch him at all times. Once he zipped into the turnout where the two mares were and ran underneath them. Sweeties just nuzzled him like he was a foal.
My DIL wants to ride and be with us in this, so there is no resistance. My son is in the military and on deployment for 7 months and is not involved in the horses when he is home, but suportive.

We have bought my grandson a baby sized helmet (soooo cute!), a few stuffed horses and some horse themed clothing and sheets. As he grows, I will judge his interest as to whether or not I push it more. He is very animal oriented and is comfortable around all our fowl, goats, dogs, cat etc, as well as our horses (a bit too comfortable at times!)
I will PM you my other information.

I am not a grandparent (way too young!) but i would like to voice my opinions as a grandchild

1. What horse involvement, if any, are you able to provide for your grandchild/grandchildren?

My grandmother was able to provide me with riding lessons at a young age...something my parents couldn't afford at the time. All I wanted when i was young was to ride horses, draw horses, play with horses, be a horse and my grandmother understood that it wasn't a passing phase and she stepped in and signed me up for lessons...it became our weekly grandmother/granddaughter time together. She sat through scortchingly hot days and fridgidly cold afternoons at the barn just watching and helping me out whenever she could. Everyone else in my family couldn't understand how she could sit and watch me go around in "circles" for hours on end....but she understood it all and could see the progress that i was making. She even started carting a video camera to my lessons and clinics so i could go home and see myself riding and make mental notes on how i could improve myself. And then we learned the ropes of showing together....early mornings, late nights, long dusty days. After many years of lessons and leases on local horses my grandmother bought for me my very own horse whom is living out his retirement in my back yard right now! He is very special to me as a first horse and as a gift from Grandmother to Granddaughter. She has always supported my passion for horses and always made sure i realized the responsability of horse ownership. As i matured she always supported my decisions about where i wanted to board my horse and what new disiplin i wanted to take on each year. My grandfather was also very patient with us throughout the years...he would drive with us to lessons and shows and wander around taking it all in...then retire to the car with his news paper...or to take a snooze. I beleive he was amused at all the fuss and rush of shows and i'm sure he got tired of hearing about all the "horsey" gossip on the long rides home. But he supported me and if he was ever annoyed with any of the spending or time it consumed he never let on to me and i love him dearly for it because now that i am a multipul horse owner....and they all live at home with me i now realize and greatly appreciate how much money, time and work they put into my horse obsession.


2. Are the parents supportive, resistant, or neutral
about your wanting to get the grandchild/grandchildren involved with horses?

My parents were very supportive of my grandparents being able to offer me an opportunity that they could not. They would attend lessons, clinics and shows whenever they could....and they'd bring along other family members and friends to support me. As i got older and during high school i think they realy appreciated that i had my horse and was at the barn during every moment of free time....it kept me out of trouble!

3. What kinds of horse-interest purchases, if any, have you made on behalf of your grandchild/grandchildren? For instance: Have your purchased toys, books, clothing, child-sized tack,or other items that reflect a horse-related subject or interest?

My grandparents (and all family members) started buying me horse toys and blankets and puzzles before i was old enough to take lessons. But once the lessons started it was my grandmother and i that went out to the tack stores shopping for riding clothes and tack. I have quite an extensive collection and do have a hard time parting with any of it. I still have my first lead rope....my first set of spurs.
My grandparents also started to subscribe to magazines in my name...all of which i am still a subscriber to. I still love to get horse related things on birthdays and Christmas...in fact this past year i recieved a set of western spurs for my birthday and a new blanket for my horse for christmas and i couldn't have been happier!

So in conclusion i am forever greatful to my grandparents for showing such a huge interest in my horse obsession. Every horse memory has them in it and that will be cherished forever! Many kids don't get to spend alot of time with their grandparents, and being involved in horses together allowed me to spend so much quality time doing such wonderful things with mine.

1. My granddaughter (now 14) and her best friend stay at my farm for part of every summer. I give them riding lessons on my horses and they can enjoy all the recreational riding they want in between. My granddaughter also spends some weekends and part of other school holidays with me as well.

2. Parents are very supportive (my daughter started riding rhwen she was four) and have provided weekly or twice-weekly lessons for my granddaughter when she's not with me. Her father is allergic to horses but nevertheless will take her to her lessons.

3. I've bought my granddaughter horse books, boots and britches, helmet, model horses, and horsey movies...she uses my tack and equipment when she rides here so no need for me to give her any.

Johanne Bezaire, Napanee, Ontario, Canada (Please do not identify me by name in an article.)

This is my daugher's screen name, but she wanted me to answer these questions because I'm very involved with my grandchildren and the horses

Quote:

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1. What horse involvement, if any, are you able to provide for your grandchild/grandchildren?

My daughters and grandchildren keep all of their horses on my farm. We all take part in the daily responsibility of horse ownership. Also, we enjoy showing at the local open, 4-H, and breed shows. I no longer show, but enjoy being a "horse show grandma"--making entries, saddling horses, wiping off boots.

2. Are the parents supportive, resistant, or neutral about your wanting to get the grandchild/grandchildren involved with horses?

Both of my daughers have actively participated in horse activities practically since birth, and have continued to compete as amateurs and breed their own show horses. My older daughter (the mother of my grandkids) has been very supportive. We all agree that having horses, livestock, or pets teaches children valuable lessons that can help them develop into responsible adults.

3. What kinds of horse-interest purchases, if any, have you made on behalf of your grandchild/grandchildren? For instance: Have your purchased toys, books, clothing, child-sized tack,or other items that reflect a horse-related subject or interest?

All of the above! As their interests have turned more toward showing, I've helped them purchase appropriate show equipment, a trailer big enough to haul all their show horses, and found a good pony for my grandson.

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I'd be happy to to answer any more questions to help with your article, or speak with you further.

Ann Robison
Chrisman, IL

I have 5 grand kids ( number 6 will be here April 30 ) so far all are into horses. The two oldest are 8 ( 9 nest week ) and 5 and take riding lessons. The 5 year old and a 3 year old seem to be much more into the horses then the others but all like to ride with me or their parents.

When my kids were young I gave each one a two year old filly for their own to train and raise. Each did an excellant job of caring and training them ( under my supervision of course. My oldest daughter is now 35 and still hase that mare I gave her for her 10th birthday. That mare is now teaching her kids how to ride and care for a horse. I remember when I gave it to her she asked me " what if I make mistakes teaching it " ? I told her " I'm counting on it you do other wise your never going to learn " To often I think people feel everything has to go perfect with horses. In reality nothing could be farther from the truth. Theres no mistakes that can't be fixed.

I figure I'll do the same with each grand kid if they want to learn horses when their 10

Glenn Benson
Long Prairie Mn.

Hi, everyone, and thanks for the great responses! I never thought about asking grandCHILDREN for their thoughts--great idea, and thanks for those!

Anyone else who'd like to contribute? Please do! I look forward to writing this piece.

--Juli Thorson
Lifestyle editor
Horse & Rider

1. What horse involvement, if any, are you able to provide for your grandchild/grandchildren?
We have 1 Grandaughter (she's an 'only' grandchild on both sides) who will be 6 y/o in May. I took care of her after her Mother went back to work, she went to the barn once a day with me from the time she was a tiny baby. She has been helping with cleaning stalls, feeding, anything that needed to be done in a way that was age appropriate. When she was 3 1/2, we went out of town for a few days and she and her Dad took care of the horses, she did all the feeding (exactly as the list I had left for him said) without any help. She showed him how much hay to put up in the feeders, allowed him to help 'picking' and carrying water.

2. Are the parents supportive, resistant, or neutral about your wanting to get the grandchild/grandchildren involved with horses? Her Mother (our ex-DIL), though not a 'horse person', is very supportive of her being involved with horses as she knows that she loves them. Her Father used to be - but not since he remarried.

3. What kinds of horse-interest purchases, if any, have you made on behalf of your grandchild/grandchildren? For instance: Have your purchased toys, books, clothing, child-sized tack,or other items that reflect a horse-related subject or interest?

Her maternal Grandparents are not at all 'horsey' so we have a deal that they don't buy anything to do with 'horses' for her and if we find something else we waqnt to get we check to be sure that they don't want to get it for her - so - We get her anything we can find that is horse related. She has her own smaller sized manure fork, shovel, broom, and wheelbarrow. To try to list everything she gets - impossible.

Susan Wilson, Box Elder, SD

As a 60 y/o 'Grandaughter', I would like to add that NanDad bought my first horse for me before I was born. When he found out that he was going to be a 'Grandfather', he started looking for my first. Unfortunately he lived only a few years after I was born but between my Great-Grandmother (who rode (aside as a 'lady' should in her generation) daily into her late 90's , him and my Father - they instilled their love of horses into me.

1. What horse involvement, if any, are you able to provide for your grandchild/grandchildren?

My grandchildren ages 6 &8 visit from the east coast, as well as ,y 4 & 6 yr old great neices. When they visit they feed, groom & ride my 23 yr old quarter horse. It is very special time that we share together, interacting, learning from each other and having fun.

2. Are the parents supportive, resistant, or neutral about your wanting to get the grandchild/grandchildren involved with horses?

Their parents are generally very supportive. My 6 yr old granddaughter has started grooming horses in MA at a nearby stable to which her parents take her. The interest she & my great nieces have in horses is a direct result of their time visiting with us here in Sedona, where I have my horses on my property.

3. What kinds of horse-interest purchases, if any, have you made on behalf of your grandchild/grandchildren? For instance: Have your purchased toys, books, clothing, child-sized tack,or other items that reflect a horse-related subject or interest?

Helmet, toys, books, activity books, clothes.

Our son Jay and daughter-in-law wanted country property as all they afford was a manufactured home, plus my daughter-in-law missed the countryside and horses. We are the bank for that purchase. I had a horse my nephew was taking care of for me, but he got his own horse and my horse was being neglected. So we purchased the land next to their place, built a $50,000 barn, fencing, a $30,000 tractor and horses for grandson, both his parents, and my husband. I also purchased a 2 month old colt for $150 for my daughter-in-law to train to determine if she wanted to train horses as a money making pursuit. (It's just a hobby.) I have purchased clothing, books and games for not only my grandson now age 8, but for an older grandson's 1/2 sister who is nuts about horses. She is also 8 years old. We took both the little kids to compete at local saddle club sho-de-os paying for their minimal entrance fees. I also supported the saddle club by donating items to be given as prizes. We have paid for all the horse food, all the hay and most of the saddles and tack. We now have 7 horses and a 2 year old mule. (Mule was a charity auction purchase for a saddle club member with unpaid medical bills.) We would like to get the kids to the point they can trail riding with others this year.--oh, we took 4 horses out to Colorado at Thanksgiving the last two years so the extended family could ride. Cost more to transport, horse motel one night each way and feed for the horses than it did the people!--Right now we are at least 2 horses over, but not sure who should be sold, definitely not the little filly born in August or the colt we raised from age 2 months.

My location-home Bonner Springs, KS (just outside Kansas City) and farm at Mulberry, KS (between Ft. Scott and Pittsburg, KS)

See horses at http://jehodges.tripod.com/Horses.html

My employers are grandparents to several children, with varying degrees of closeness. They run a girls' summer camp and teach riding lessons year round, as well as operate an on-site tack shop.

Their closest granddaughter rides all summer with the campers and is quietly being groomed to be a counselor in a few years. Her brother rides infrequently; usually he helps his dad, the foreman, with jobs around the farm or works with grandpa in the shop. They are learning the value of hard work and responsibility. Obviously their father is very supportive of them living around horses, and their mother (who does not live with them) is a rider, too. The grandparents, dad, and mom usually get the girl riding equipment, such as a vest or breeches. Her grandparents buy her gifts that are almost always associate with horses.

Their other set of grandchildren live in Georgia, but when they are here they help with chores and the little girl rides. The boys play with grandpa looking for dinosaurs. Their mother, too, was a rider and supports their riding (she teaches her daughter at home). The granddaughter gets horsie gifts, but the boys get typical boy gifts, such as tractors. They just aren't as into the horses as the girl is.

I hope that this is helpful. We are located in Jefferson, Ohio. Our farm is called Can-Do-It Farm and Tack Shoppe. My name is Emily McHenry, and my employers are Norm and Candy Stokes.

Juli, my name is Dena McCulloch. I'm from Gladstone, Illinois.
1. My Grandchildren are quite young, 2 boys and 2 girls ranging from age 20 months down to 6 months. The 20 month old has been to the barn with me since he was very little.
One of his first words was horse. As they get older, I will help each one of them learn to take care of a horse, and if they are interested, help them get started in riding lessons. My thought is to introduce them to horses and let their interest guide what direction to take.

2. The parents are very supportive and have all said they look forward to the children being around the horses as they get older.

3. Each baby received a plush horse toy when they were born. We have also bought books, a Fisher Price barn set, Breyer horses and of course a rocking horse. I remember my stepsons getting a million miles in on their stick horses when they were about 3 and 4 years old so I know I'll make sure their children have the same opportunity.

Congratulations on becoming a Grandmother!

Dena