Check Out these Saddle Bags

[Hidemechanic]

My wife found this pic in a mag. The mom took old bags and cut leg holes in them so she didn't have to hire a baby sitter.

When my wife was preg with our youngest we would ride and he would go right to sleep with the rocking of the horse's steps. Later after he was born and big enough(8wks premy) she made a sling for him and we still got to ride and he would stay asleep most of the ride. There weren't interuptions for feeding either as his food sourse was right there withing reach.

The things we do to ride.GH

[Todd]

This is quite a humorous picture, however as a person who realizes the unpredictable nature of horses despite all the time we put into trying to get the flight and fight nature out of them, this scares the heck out of me. It makes me wince as a father and as a horse trainer to think that someone might strap an infant onto a 1200 animal in any way. I have seen pictures of me in the saddle with my father as an infant but never locked on in any way. To me it's a horrible accident waiting to happen and I don't recommend anybody try to duplicate this in any way even if we do think our horses are bomb-proof.

[JRedding]

That's one of the five dumbest things I've ever seen. The only hope for this scenario is if God really does help little children and idiots first.

[Tosch]

I had to laugh when I saw the pic. The idea is great - but only as a joke! Other than that I dito JRedding.

Edited November 4, 2008 by Tosch

[buffalo]

The term "child endangerment" comes to mind. Unbelievable.

Regards Buff

[Timbo]

I'm in agreement........I know its supposed to be funny......but that scares the hell out of me.

Tim

[Hidemechanic]

Okay, disclaimer well taken, I agree I would not suggest anyone do this, however there are horses and horse owners who know what their situation is and can make a determination as to what is safe.

We all take calculated risks every day. I understand why some may off hand think this is a wreck waiting to happen, but I also know my animals and where I ride and my own abilities with my animals.

This picture didn't bother me because when I think about it, I expect that this gal knew what she was doing.

Now if we hear in the paper next week that a mom and her twin babies were in an accident while horseback riding, then I'll get on board about what idiots people can be.

Now I think I'll go turn on the TV and listen to my new president tell me how he's going to make own lives better.YeeHah..GH

[TrooperChuck]

I've had "bomb-proof" horses spook and take off in a run-away.

I've seen "family horses" brush up against trees, badly bruising the rider.

I once watched a "dead calm" pony go berserk in a show arena, bucking it's little girl rider off.

I had an extrememly calm and gentle horse suddenly attacked by an aggressive dog that showed up unexpectedly. The horse panicked and ran straight up a hill through impossibly thick brush. It took me two hours of tracking on foot to recover the horse.

One of the best horseman I've ever personally known was riding his "grandpa's horse" when a passing trucker thought it would be funny to honk his air horn as he drove by. That cowboy spent the next three months in the hospital.

If any of those things had happened while my child was strapped to the side of the horse, I'd deserve to be investigated for child endangerment.

The fact is, no matter how well you know your horse, there is ALWAYS the chance of something unexpected and unpredictable happening. If that picture is for real, and not something cobbled together on a computer, that woman needs to be made aware of the realities of horses.

[okiwen]

Oh lighten up!! Holy cow.

[Bob]

I won't do that with my kids. That's just plain foolishness. You'd be much better off straping them into a packsack. One on the front and one on the back of your body. NOT TO THE HORSE!!!!!!

Thats just dumb.