My Funny Picture

Do you think it is irresponsible to let an 11 month old rid a pony?

My mother in law was watching my son this morning and I went to pick him up about 2 hrs. ago. She told me she wanted to show me some pics of him from this morning. He was on a pony! My husband's family are horse people and I just don't like them. They scare me. I was SO mad at her for not asking me, and also, the fact that it was a wild animal. I don't care how many kids were riding him, he is still a wild animal. I am suprised somebody didn't call CPS on her. Wouldn't you be upset? OMG! Hurley, that is a grown horse. That is way beyond neglect. I can't believe that you would be so irresponsible. That baby looks scared! That is sad.

Public Comments

1. "Wouldn't you be upset?" Um, no. Our son rode a pony at an Easter 'fair' right before his first birthday. Good grief, I doubt they were letting the horse gallop around with your son on his/her back without supervision. I also think CPS would have found that call comical. ETA: LOL, oh yeah, looks like little Hurley is beyond terrifed! I think you're delusional. Here: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v57/Starsfade_/pony.jpg
2. Was someone holding him up? If so then it is ok I guess, but not if they left him alone on it. I would be mad that they didn't ask, but not mad about what they did. I dont think Hurley looks scared, I think he looks big eyed and alert like a baby would usually be. If he was terrifed he would have been crying.
3. Was somebody with him and holding him when he was on the pony? If so I wouldnt be upset. My son was about a year old when we put him on a pony at a fair. My SO held on to him the whole time.
4. no i wouldn't be upset and i don't think there is any thing CPS can do about putting a little kid on a horse. they have much bigger problems to deal with. there are kids getting beat and molested and killed out there.
5. I myself train, ride, and compete with horses. Personally I think it was a little wrong of her to not ask you and I think 11 months is too young. However, I am going to disagree on you calling them wild animals. When raised and trained properly they are one of the most gentle animals, hence therapeutic riding for disabled kids/adults. It's almost like saying a dog is a wild animal. ANY animal can have it's faults- cats can scratch, dogs can bite, horses can kick... but wild is a bit much. I would be a little upset though if someone put my 11 month old on a horse without me knowing and being present.
6. Are you kidding me? http://i30.tinypic.com/1071hmg.jpg My son rides horses all the time and has been since about 3 months old. He is 10 months. Good grief. My husband runs this ranch and is on a horse every single day. I think he can handle it. You really need to get that stick out of your butt. My son loves it, he is not afraid in that pic. He is looking at our dog.
7. What a nice Grandma. "I am suprised somebody didn't call CPS on her." "There's a small child, supervised, on a pony!" Yeah, that's a surprise...
8. If someone was standing next to him holding him up on top, no. Its no more dangerous or risky then riding in a car. I may have been a little disappointed that I didn't get to see my sons expression and excitement the first time up on the pony. I wouldn't be upset or furious though. And I really don't think setting a baby up atop a horse is grounds to call CPS. Seriously, there are children out there that are being beaten, neglected, and starved. CPS should be tending to helping those children, not harassing a loving grandmother showing her grand baby a horse.
9. Wow. I WISH I had my pictures downloaded on my computer at work/ I have several pictures of my son, who is 10 months old. Riding a small pony. He loved it! He was laughing and giggling the whole time and didnt want to get off. If you son loved it and wasnt scared or crying then there is nothing wrong with it. There are people that are raised around horses. Not to be mean or anything but you need to lighten up a little. As something as small as your son riding a pony regardless if he liked it or not just because YOU do not like horses does not mean your son is not allowed near them. I have been around horses all my life. They are not WILD animals. I am sure they were tamed. If they were not, they would not have allowed your son on their back.
10. no it's not a wild animal, and no I wouldn't be upset. Why would someone call CPS on her, it is NOT neglect
11. I don't agree with most of these responses. First of all she should have asked, regardless!! Yes it is still an animal and he could have fallen off. One thing at a fair when mom or dad is holding hand while he is going around in a circle. But it doesn't sound like that is what you are describing. I would be very upset, so I don't think you are overreacting. Accidents happen, people get paralyzed with stupid things all the time. He has plenty of time to ride a horse. I mean at 11 months I'm assuming he isn't walking or if he is, hasn't been for long. I think you are being a responsible parent!
12. I don't think it's a big deal as long as someone was holding him. If no one was holding onto him, I wouldn't trust the situation at all. But I don't really think that people let children under 1 ride a horse by themselves...they don't have much balance at this age. But seriously, if there is someone holding onto the child, it's not a big deal.
13. Oh DYOT!! I'm PMSL at your answer!!! And I agree...Hurley looks "terrified". What were these people thinking? seriously, it's a pony, hundreds of children have ridden it. And I highly doubt you MIL let him Gallop through the parking lot on said pony. YOU...need to be less uptight!
14. Wow!! I am sorry all the regulars ripped you a new one like that, but seriously!! You are projecting your fear of horses onto your LO, relax, and try to figure out why you are so scared. Most everyone loves horses, and the kids aren't riding by themselves, and if they were, there are special seats so they wont fall off. Edit: Gosh all those kids are so cute on the horses, I can't wait to get my son (10mo) on one!!!