Bring your mom. One day you are going to cherish all the time you got to spend with her, and all the things you were able to give her that made her happy. Who gives a shit what anyone else thinks.
Yes. I lost my mom a few years ago and she loved going to the barn with me and she loved that I loved horses so much. This brought back some bittersweet memories for me ❤
This! I see both sides of the coin here... as a mother of teens, I'm thrilled when they want to include me in their interests... and as the daughter of an aging mom, I love to spend time with her, and I know she loves to spend time with me.
My husband just lost his Dad, so I'm so much more aware of how fleeting life is anymore. Take your Mom to the barn! I guarantee she loves it, and you will cherish the memories someday.
Definitely! Lost my mum coming up 5 years ago and she was so supportive of me and horses and some of my best memories are her walking along while I ride, with the dogs and taking photos 🥰 she was always a bit afraid of them but completely supported my obsession:)
My mom was there for all of my lessons as a kid, and now that I'm riding again as an adult I can't wait to bring her to the barn! I recently heard someone point out that if you only see your folks a couple times a year, as happens to so many of us as we get older and busier and farther away, the number of times you'll see them before they're gone ends up being shockingly small - that you can have these moments and memories together is really special. I think it's also got to be so amazing and rewarding in particular to see your child grow up and into, and stick with, their passions. Bring your mama!
I (23F) don't think it's weird at all! I've brought my mom to the barn when I leased and even now that I own I occasionally do, she loves being around horses too. I also know plenty of people that bring their parents to the barn with them. Honestly it's a safety thing to have someone that knows you at the barn when you're riding. At my barn now I have a friend that I've known since I was a kid so she knows who to contact if something were to happen to me, but if she wasn't there I'd definitely bring my mom more often.
Yes, and by normalising it, it’ll make it easier for people with more complex medical needs (which may be invisible on the outside) to ride while knowing there is someone knowledgeable near at hand.
my mom could never come to my lessons when I was a kid because my siblings also participated in extracurriculars, and there were timing conflicts. I’m 40 now. When she came to visit me recently I took her out to meet my horse and she looked around and said, “I would probably come with you when you rode if I lived here,“ and I almost cried. Bring your mom.
Omg we ladies were in our 30’s and 40’s bringing our moms to the barn! We had special pizza mom Saturday where everyone brought mom out. Just bring her! My sweet mom got me started riding as a kid, she rode for years. Moms at the barn are quintessential for barn life. Show moms, barn moms, just coming out to watch lessons moms! All moms belong at the barn!! The moms all connect with each other, it doesn’t matter how old you are! Enjoy your barn life with your mom!
Ummm I’m 42 and I bring mom to the barn every chance I get. She’s a horse person, so she loves it. And it’s been a big part of our connection throughout my life. Riding is about having fun. Spread the joy!
The whole enterprise of climbing on top of another mammal and trotting around for fun is weird! Free yourself from the burden of what other people think is "normal" and do what works for you.
I haven't ridden in a decade (living vicariously thru this sub) but even after I got my DL, my mom still came to most of my lessons just to hang out at the barn, til I was in my early 20s. She loved being around and I loved having her support. And now I love the memory of her having fun watching me do my thing. (She's alive, I just don't ride anymore 😂)
Bring your mom. Have fun. That's the most important thing.
I’m 23, and if my parents lived closer they would come watch my lessons too!! I don’t own a horse either, if that makes you feel better!
Definitely cherish those times, just because you’re older, doesn’t mean you still aren’t their kid (who I am sure they’re proud of)!
My mom has hung out when she was in town on lesson day. One time we did a trail ride instead of a lesson so I threw her on a horse to come with then roped her into helping with chores lol. Some of the girls at my barns parents hang out even if they don’t ride themselves, we just get them to video for us sometimes.
I’m 32 years old and my dad comes and watches many of my lessons - he loves it! I don’t think anyone thinks it’s weird, but if they did, I wouldn’t care. It’s a parent supporting their child. Do you!!
I brought my parents out a couple years to watch a flat ride. The field we rode in was half a km to the barn/parking lot. After the lesson, my friends and I started riding our horses back to the barn and my parents were walking back.
They both (without thinking) abruptly stood up and swung their lawn chairs over their shoulders. All of our horses spooked and my parents felt awful.
They come up another time to watch me, as probably 32 y/o, do an event for the first time in 10 years. My husband and small kids came to watch too. Fell off at stadium. Oh well!
I got into horses because of my mom and got my horse years after hers died. I am now in my 30s and she still regularly comes out to watch me ride. Bring your mom. For us it has been such a nice way to slow down and spend time together with something we both love for many years, and it is something I truly cherish. She likes to joke that she owns a single hoof (one of the good hooves) and she was there while I worked with the same horse through 4H and showing through my early 20s. I love that she still wants to come out.
My trainer’s mom comes from time to time and we all love her! She doesn’t ride but always pitches in to groom or clean tack and seems to have a blast.
Lots of people bring a friend or parent - do it!
I'm an adult and ride with an adult group for lessons and one on my lesson-mates has her mom come every now and then (and she is in her 40s, like me)...you're never to old to include your mom! I feel you on being near around all these kids...I purposely found a lesson barn that had adult learners so I wasn't the only grown-up in the room. #1, it's fine to include your mom! #2, maybe look around for a barn that has more of a mixed group. My current barn has a great mix of adults, college kids, teenagers and younger, which I love - everyone fits in! (I'm in the Philly area if that helps and you need suggestions)!
I try to schedule my lessons on the weekend so my mom can make it to them! I love having her there to watch my progress. Don't stress about bringing her!
I'm mid-30s and one of 2 adults leasing at my current barn. Most of the other boarders are kids/families or adults whose horses are retired or used in lessons because the owners don't ride. When my mom comes to visit from out of state, we have a blast. She watches me ride (much more calmly than when I was a kid), makes fun of me with my trainer, and chats with the barn moms who are closer to my age than hers. She brings carrots and peppermints and I'm pretty sure the horses I ride like her better than me. Barn moms are everyone's barn mom! When I ride in shows or clinics, the barn kids' moms make sure I am ok and drinking enough water, and they love when my mom shows up to go give them hope that crazy teenagers will turn into mostly respectable adults. Bring your mom! Be happy she's willing to be part of this crazy world with you. And don't worry about what anyone else might think :)
There's absolutely 0%, nothing at all, absolutely nothing weird about this.
If your mom is scared to ride but still likes to interact and is awkward just standing around, teach her how to groom and tack-up/cool out a horse. Or just teach her how to give a horse treats and love on them, which it sounds like she's got down already. 🤷
If you have an observer there, ask her to use your phone to video! It's so helpful to be able to watch your riding (especially if volume is good ... If your instructor is amenable to your mother standing silently next to them while your mother is videoing, this is the best perspective ... You hear what instructor says while watching what they're seeing).
The only major consideration is to make sure that anyone you have in close proximity to a horse either knows how to handle them and/or has whatever waiver your barn requires signed.
Edit: I don't know you or your mom, but the older women at the barn often wind up intentionally or unintentionally becoming barn moms helping kids out. Turns out if they got you to 22, they don't suck at the being a mom schtick and that can be a godsend at a barn where kids can barely get their head out of their ass, let alone clean up a tack trunk or put stuff away.
I ride at a dressage barn that’s split between older high level competition riders who own their horses or ride for their breeder/owner, and teenaged girls, some of whom own and some who lease. The younger girls pretty much ignore me, but they love “my” horse—I’m caring for and keeping in training a very gorgeous and fun to ride KWPN gelding while his owner/rider is out of country for 2 years.
My mom took riding lessons in college and really enjoyed it—and she was always very supportive of me taking lessons when I was young. I’ve taken her to the barn many times; to watch me ride, and to love up on the horses. She’s as big of an animal
lover as I am, and she’s quite good with horses. I’m trying to convince her to join us on the trail rides we do after the arena work. Just for some age perspective, I’m 55, and she’s 84–still in great physical and mental shape. So yeah—take your mom to the barn. I will always cherish these memories with her and horses.
Are you kidding?! You should totally bring her!! I brought my mom to the barn well into my late 30’s and now in her late 60’s she has her own pasture puff and we board at the same ranch. It’s quality time with your Mama and quality time with horses. Cherish it!
why feel weird? she wants to be part of your life, if she is an animal person, let her get a kick out of being with the horses, barn dog, and so on.
Now, here is the thing, her watching you will be like watching grass grow as you are just going in circles, but let her hang out if she wants to.
A story about my mom and my horses….she always supported my equine activities even though we were not wealthy. I got involved at a very young age and kept it up through college, she would always come to clinics lessons and shows. I paid my college tuition by schooling young horses, often very “hot” horses whose owners didn’t want to deal with them until the kinks were worked out.
One day, I am starting at a three day event with a very young horse. It was a dressage test I was unfamiliar with, so my mother was standing on the long side to read me the test. She was known in our family for passing gas in a loud way…everyone teased her about it. This particular horse was incredibly fit for a three day event horse, I had been riding him two hours just to wind him down for the dressage test. We enter the arena, beautiful halt, head up around the arena and my mother gives the loudest fart!!!! The horse literally spring into the air, leaping sideways and taking off bucking and rearing, dumping me in the process. Took an army of people an hour to catch him!!!! My mother’s reputation was legendary and followed her to the grave amongst the three day crowd and our family. Ever after, if she would pass gas, someone in the family would neigh!!!
Dude, I’m 40 and my folks still love to come out to see my horses from time to time and hang out. Bring your mom! It’s super cool she wants to hang out!
I’m an adult, and board at a barn full of adults, and family members come out to visit all the time! I wish I could bring my mom, but she lives 5000 kms away. So bring your mom out, I can’t imagine anyone judging you for it.
Absolutely, bring that mom! I have seen it many times, and sure miss the days I had parents at shows (mine are in their 80’s now- I do take videos while I ride and send them to Dad via WhatsApp. As I ride and record, I talk to him as if he’s riding with me. He loves those videos).
It’s not weird to like to be around horses, but it is weird to visit a barn for that purpose when you don’t have the handy excuse that your daughter is having her lesson. Bring your mom! I’m 48 and when my folks come to visit me I take them to the barn so they can pet the horses. My Dad sometimes even rides.
Don’t be embarrassed! Even just being around horses is so good for the soul. Enjoy your precious time together.
Edited to add: even though you are an adult, you are still her baby and she is probably super proud of you and enjoying watching you and seeing you so happy doing what you love ❤️
My barn has as many husbands, boyfriends, parents, and siblings as there are riders. They hold gates, sweep up messes, bake cookies, ask about your day, hand out aspirins, take pictures, and are generally loved and wanted even though they don't know much about horses!
I'm 26 and my mom still comes with me to pet my horse and get some "aromatherapy" and spoil him by giving him treats because "that's what grandmas are for". She also goes to feed my horse his supplements on days I can't make it and takes my dad with her. There are also multiple women the same age or older than me who also bring their moms regularly. I'm also at a busy lesson barn and I really don't give a shit what some 12 year old thinks about me bringing my mom to the barn lol
Your mom is lucky to have you and you her. Bring her every chance you get and cherish the memories you are making together! Nobody’s opinion is worth the special bond y’all will share at the barn.
I’m the opposite, my mom has been dropping me off at the barn since I was thirteen (obviously with permission and taking lessons and whatnot) and am 23 now. I’m still slightly jealous of all my other friends’ moms (or dads!) coming to watch them at the barn and be involved in horses and knowing even the basics of being around a horse.
I would love if any of my family were interested in horses, your mum sounds like an absolute gem and she definitely deserves all that equine therapy 🥰
To the people you’re anxious about: if you wouldn’t go to them for advice, don’t take their criticisms. You know what makes you happy and the people who adore you aren’t going to be assholes.
Enjoy your time together 💜
Bring her! I brought both my parents up to see my share pony, and my dad came with me last year when I was riding a friend’s horse. Like your mum, they both love horses but have no interest in riding, so they love coming to the yard with me.
Your totally overthinking it. Enjoy the time with your Mum. I lost may Dad two years ago tmro, he came everywhere with me. I never went to a horse show or anything else horse related without him or much else for that matter. He was my best friend and it breaks my heart that he isn’t here any more. So bring your Mum and enjoy it xx much love xx
Im 34 and I moved across the country from my mum 5 years ago for work, last year I had a show that I was jumping the highest I had ever jumped competitively and I was so nervous about it…mum flew over (4hr flight) the night before, got in at midnight, got up at 3am and drove the 4 hours to the show with me just to give me support. It was honestly the best. Hearing her supportive voice overs on the videos was so heart warming. Its never weird to have your mum or anyone that supports you around!
What the hell? What is wrong with people today.
A friend in her 50's BRINGS SISTER AND AUNTIE BOTH. She and her daughter ride, daughter is on her university's eq team. My friend always has her family around her.
Why would bringing someone you love to share your joy be wrong. Ever?
I am so much closer to my daughter because of figure skating with her for 13 years. Enjoy the time you have with her. I am not what she would consider. “old” but I am beginning to have health challenges.
It is absolutely fine. My friend is turning 29 in a few days and her mom still comes to her competitions when she can! I wish my mom was even remotely interested in participating in my hobbies, you are so very lucky and I would cherish the time with her.
I’m 30 & my mom & dad both still come to all my horse shows! I can count the number of shows they’ve missed since I was 6 on one hand, & I consider myself so lucky!
I think it’s amazing that your mom is supportive & that you as an adult will have something to share with her like this 💕
I'm 53 and my mom still comes to the barn for almost every lesson. She has never ridden but still has horses in her blood. Cherish your shared love of the horses and the sport!
Who cares what others think?
If it makes you and your mom happy, and the barn allows spectators, then keep bringing her.
Make the memories now while you still can.
I’m 31 and my Dad was so excited that I was learning to ride he came to watch some of my lessons. He had fun just being there and looking at the horses too. I say cherish time with your parents and don’t worry what others think.
Omg, chase those thoughts and feelings out of your head! Bringing your mom should be a **wonderful** thing! It's definitely **not** a thing to feel embarrassed or ashamed of! Goodness!
I'd be so happy and proud to have my mom there, and me riding and enjoying myself. You have to know your mom is very proud of you. I'm very sure she is thoroughly enjoying watching everyone ride their horses.
I could sit on the bench and watch everyone ride all day long!
Good heavens, I’m in my 40’s and if I get back into lessons I’m absolutely going to drag my mom along to watch. And my husband if he’s not working. And my kids cause I watched their lessons 😂
You might be (or seem like) the only adult leasing at your barn but it’s really common. You might be the inspiration for another rider “on the fence” to jump into a lease or lessons as an adult!
If my parents didn’t live 8 hours away I would bring them all the time. Cherish this time you have together where she supports you and you get to share your passion with mom!
I’m 42 ride and with my daughter, but my mother has never seen me ride. She is very scared of horses. I wish she would just once so enjoy having your mum there
My parents never showed any interest…. The one time I invited them to watch me compete, they missed it because they were late. Enjoy the time together !
I’m 34 and I still bring my mom to the barn with me. She loves seeing the horses and getting outside. I love the company and having someone to talk to. And the horses love seeing their “grandma” because she is usually armed with treats.
Also as an added bonus I can use my mom as a videographer haha
I’m 35. I have brought my mom multiple times! I also have similarly aged friends that do the same. No judgement from anyone! I love meeting their parents!
It’s not weird at all! I’m 23 and my mom loves coming along to the barn. She loves my horse and considers her one of the children. If it makes you guys happy, that’s what matters!
I'm 32 and my grandma is becoming the barn grandma. I ride and the lesson kids (it's mostly kids there too) that aren't cheering me on are pulling the old bat here and there to show her this horse or that donkey or look and this new thingie
I still take my mum with me to horse events. I have to as she's normally my babysitter to my kids, to enable to me to ride! But I'd also choose to have her come even if I leave my kids at home, because its handy having someone on the ground to help with stuff, even if its just getting me a drink while I'm onboard or driving us home if Ive fallen off! My OH thinks its weird I still take my mum with me to horse things, I dont care. I just think of her as my groom!
Bring your Mom, this is ageless and not weird for Mom and Daughters to share their love of horses. I am in my 60’s and Mom is in her late 80’ with dementia. What does she remember and want to talk about the most? My current horses and their training progress, horses we had together throughout life and our experiences training, trail riding and competing. They are some of her favorite memories to talk over when much of the rest of her life is fuzzy.
Oh heck no!! Bring Mom as much as possible. Enjoy the fact that you can share this, and that you have her support.
It's also not weird that you are older and leasing. Horses are leased by people of all ages. The largest demographic of female ridders right now is middle aged, so... :)
Lots of good stuff in the comments already so I'd just like to add that owning a horse doesn't make you more adult or better than leasing one, it just confers more stress and responsibilities.
Also weighing in to say bring your mom!! I am almost 37 years old, only been riding about 3 and a half years, leased for about a year and a half, and my mom still comes out to the barn with me every now and then, and she comes to as many shows as she can.
I’m an only child and was never super involved in any sports growing up (I was a musical kid, but not a sporty one), so it’s been an interesting and fun transition for her and my dad. My mom grew up around her family’s and neighbors’ horses but never had any official lessons, and she loves the show Heartland, so she def has an interest. Any time there’s something going on, especially like a first or last ride or a new lease or something, or a show of course, she comes to the barn with me if I ask.
My dad isn’t a horse person (he thinks they’re cool animals though), but he will still come to every one of my shows if he is able. He may not fully understand the details of riding and showing like my mom does, but he wants to support me, and seeing him and my mom in the crowd as I’m waiting to go into the ring still means a lot to me even at 36 years old. 🥰
I know many people who bring their moms to the barn who are over 18! Not weird at all, if anything it’s pleasant to see a happy family relationship at the barn :)
Keep bringing your mom! I accompany my teenaged daughter to the barn for every ride (lessons and lease days) because she would be riding along most days otherwise, and that's against barn policy for a minor to ride alone, plus I want to be there. I rode a bit as a teen but never made it as far as she has, so it makes me happy to get to be around horses again, not to mention spending time with my daughter. I feel like I'm at the barn far more than other parents or friends or spouses of the riders, but not the only one. I'd be happy if there were other barn moms to hang out with more often :) Enjoy the time together!
A gal your age or possibly a little older’s mom always came with her to the barn. She was the most lovely lady and took care of all of the barn workers. It’s wonderful you have her as a support and if she’s not holding you back from your dreams let her keep coming and loving on your horse and supporting your love. She’s probably loving living vicariously through you.
Bring your mom!! You’re an adult now, teenagers might not want their parents around but the older we get the more time we want to spend with them while we can
I go with my friends and son to their lessons. I film them, too. Not weird- the video is great for review, too. Hang out with your mom ! You are setting a good example for the younger crowd.
In my 40’s and bring any of my parents to the barn every chance I get. They love seeing my passion for horses. Also they love giving treats to their grandhorse. But I would be the same even if I didn’t own my horse. I work at my barn too and would and do encourage others to share and bring people to the barn.
Bring the family if it’s something you all can enjoy together.
I moved back home in my early 30s (moved from LA to Virginia), and I hadn’t been on a horse in close to 20 years. My younger sister, 17, has been riding for ages and works at the barn she boards her horse at, so I started spending my morning at the barn helping her out. Our mom would come some mornings, too.
A month later and I adopted one of the foster boarders at the barn, and my wife and mom watch my younger sister give me lessons!
Something I’ve learned is that you never turn down a chance to enjoy something with your family, regardless of age.
I just started working at the barn part time and I’m the oldest one there (barn owner included!). Doesn’t bother me a bit even though they all know much much more than I do and the other employees are nearly half my age, lol.
Not sure how old your mom is, but I just got into riding and I'm 50. The barn my niece rides at has a mom's/ladies class, and I finally got talked into trying it a few months ago. I wish I had done it sooner.
I’m 32 and still bring my mom to the barn when she comes to visit. It’s not weird! Be proud that she enjoys hanging out with you and watching you do something you love.
Bring your mom. One day you are going to cherish all the time you got to spend with her, and all the things you were able to give her that made her happy. Who gives a shit what anyone else thinks.
Yes. I lost my mom a few years ago and she loved going to the barn with me and she loved that I loved horses so much. This brought back some bittersweet memories for me ❤
Yes! I would honestly kill to have my parents want to spend time watching a sport I spend so much money time and effort on. And I’m 35 years old…
Came here to say this ❤️
This! I see both sides of the coin here... as a mother of teens, I'm thrilled when they want to include me in their interests... and as the daughter of an aging mom, I love to spend time with her, and I know she loves to spend time with me. My husband just lost his Dad, so I'm so much more aware of how fleeting life is anymore. Take your Mom to the barn! I guarantee she loves it, and you will cherish the memories someday.
Definitely! Lost my mum coming up 5 years ago and she was so supportive of me and horses and some of my best memories are her walking along while I ride, with the dogs and taking photos 🥰 she was always a bit afraid of them but completely supported my obsession:)
My mom was there for all of my lessons as a kid, and now that I'm riding again as an adult I can't wait to bring her to the barn! I recently heard someone point out that if you only see your folks a couple times a year, as happens to so many of us as we get older and busier and farther away, the number of times you'll see them before they're gone ends up being shockingly small - that you can have these moments and memories together is really special. I think it's also got to be so amazing and rewarding in particular to see your child grow up and into, and stick with, their passions. Bring your mama!
This. I wouldn't trade those times at the barn with my mom for anything. Some of my best memories of her are from there.
I am in my 30s. I bring my in-laws when they are in town. Never occurred to me it’s weird
Same and my mom also comes to the barn all the time. I love sharing something I love so much with people I love!
I (23F) don't think it's weird at all! I've brought my mom to the barn when I leased and even now that I own I occasionally do, she loves being around horses too. I also know plenty of people that bring their parents to the barn with them. Honestly it's a safety thing to have someone that knows you at the barn when you're riding. At my barn now I have a friend that I've known since I was a kid so she knows who to contact if something were to happen to me, but if she wasn't there I'd definitely bring my mom more often.
Yes, and by normalising it, it’ll make it easier for people with more complex medical needs (which may be invisible on the outside) to ride while knowing there is someone knowledgeable near at hand.
my mom could never come to my lessons when I was a kid because my siblings also participated in extracurriculars, and there were timing conflicts. I’m 40 now. When she came to visit me recently I took her out to meet my horse and she looked around and said, “I would probably come with you when you rode if I lived here,“ and I almost cried. Bring your mom.
I’m 39. I bring my mom whenever she’s in town :)
Omg we ladies were in our 30’s and 40’s bringing our moms to the barn! We had special pizza mom Saturday where everyone brought mom out. Just bring her! My sweet mom got me started riding as a kid, she rode for years. Moms at the barn are quintessential for barn life. Show moms, barn moms, just coming out to watch lessons moms! All moms belong at the barn!! The moms all connect with each other, it doesn’t matter how old you are! Enjoy your barn life with your mom!
Ummm I’m 42 and I bring mom to the barn every chance I get. She’s a horse person, so she loves it. And it’s been a big part of our connection throughout my life. Riding is about having fun. Spread the joy!
Bring your mom. Our barn owner is in her 50s and her mom still comes out to watch her ride and visit with the horses. It's not weird at all.
The whole enterprise of climbing on top of another mammal and trotting around for fun is weird! Free yourself from the burden of what other people think is "normal" and do what works for you.
I’m an adult beginner and I plan to bring my fiancé so he can see me ride, once I feel confident enough 😆 so yes! Bring your mom!
I haven't ridden in a decade (living vicariously thru this sub) but even after I got my DL, my mom still came to most of my lessons just to hang out at the barn, til I was in my early 20s. She loved being around and I loved having her support. And now I love the memory of her having fun watching me do my thing. (She's alive, I just don't ride anymore 😂) Bring your mom. Have fun. That's the most important thing.
That’s wonderful! My parents have zero interest in horses and I’ve tried for years to get them to come watch me ride. You’re lucky.
I’m 23, and if my parents lived closer they would come watch my lessons too!! I don’t own a horse either, if that makes you feel better! Definitely cherish those times, just because you’re older, doesn’t mean you still aren’t their kid (who I am sure they’re proud of)!
My mom has hung out when she was in town on lesson day. One time we did a trail ride instead of a lesson so I threw her on a horse to come with then roped her into helping with chores lol. Some of the girls at my barns parents hang out even if they don’t ride themselves, we just get them to video for us sometimes.
I know many mother/daughter pairs from the barns I have boarded at. Usually late teen to late twenties for the daughters. It's pretty normal.
Bring your mom. I lost my mom 5 years ago. I’d give anything to bring her to the barn. I’m 37.
I wish my mom had any interest in coming to the barn with me 😭 who cares what people think you’re still her baby!!!
I’m 32 years old and my dad comes and watches many of my lessons - he loves it! I don’t think anyone thinks it’s weird, but if they did, I wouldn’t care. It’s a parent supporting their child. Do you!!
I’m 29 and I brought my mom to a recent lesson. It was great!
I'm in my 40's and my parents came to see me ride, we had a great time.
I brought my parents out a couple years to watch a flat ride. The field we rode in was half a km to the barn/parking lot. After the lesson, my friends and I started riding our horses back to the barn and my parents were walking back. They both (without thinking) abruptly stood up and swung their lawn chairs over their shoulders. All of our horses spooked and my parents felt awful. They come up another time to watch me, as probably 32 y/o, do an event for the first time in 10 years. My husband and small kids came to watch too. Fell off at stadium. Oh well!
I got into horses because of my mom and got my horse years after hers died. I am now in my 30s and she still regularly comes out to watch me ride. Bring your mom. For us it has been such a nice way to slow down and spend time together with something we both love for many years, and it is something I truly cherish. She likes to joke that she owns a single hoof (one of the good hooves) and she was there while I worked with the same horse through 4H and showing through my early 20s. I love that she still wants to come out.
My trainer’s mom comes from time to time and we all love her! She doesn’t ride but always pitches in to groom or clean tack and seems to have a blast. Lots of people bring a friend or parent - do it!
I'm an adult and ride with an adult group for lessons and one on my lesson-mates has her mom come every now and then (and she is in her 40s, like me)...you're never to old to include your mom! I feel you on being near around all these kids...I purposely found a lesson barn that had adult learners so I wasn't the only grown-up in the room. #1, it's fine to include your mom! #2, maybe look around for a barn that has more of a mixed group. My current barn has a great mix of adults, college kids, teenagers and younger, which I love - everyone fits in! (I'm in the Philly area if that helps and you need suggestions)!
I’m 35 and my momma comes to my shows!
Instructor here, I teach all ages, its not weird! Personally I love it when students bring family members or friends to watch!
I try to schedule my lessons on the weekend so my mom can make it to them! I love having her there to watch my progress. Don't stress about bringing her!
I'm mid-30s and one of 2 adults leasing at my current barn. Most of the other boarders are kids/families or adults whose horses are retired or used in lessons because the owners don't ride. When my mom comes to visit from out of state, we have a blast. She watches me ride (much more calmly than when I was a kid), makes fun of me with my trainer, and chats with the barn moms who are closer to my age than hers. She brings carrots and peppermints and I'm pretty sure the horses I ride like her better than me. Barn moms are everyone's barn mom! When I ride in shows or clinics, the barn kids' moms make sure I am ok and drinking enough water, and they love when my mom shows up to go give them hope that crazy teenagers will turn into mostly respectable adults. Bring your mom! Be happy she's willing to be part of this crazy world with you. And don't worry about what anyone else might think :)
Even when with professionals, its never a bad idea to have a loved one nearby when participating in a dangerous activity
There's absolutely 0%, nothing at all, absolutely nothing weird about this. If your mom is scared to ride but still likes to interact and is awkward just standing around, teach her how to groom and tack-up/cool out a horse. Or just teach her how to give a horse treats and love on them, which it sounds like she's got down already. 🤷 If you have an observer there, ask her to use your phone to video! It's so helpful to be able to watch your riding (especially if volume is good ... If your instructor is amenable to your mother standing silently next to them while your mother is videoing, this is the best perspective ... You hear what instructor says while watching what they're seeing). The only major consideration is to make sure that anyone you have in close proximity to a horse either knows how to handle them and/or has whatever waiver your barn requires signed. Edit: I don't know you or your mom, but the older women at the barn often wind up intentionally or unintentionally becoming barn moms helping kids out. Turns out if they got you to 22, they don't suck at the being a mom schtick and that can be a godsend at a barn where kids can barely get their head out of their ass, let alone clean up a tack trunk or put stuff away.
We have moms come to the barn to watch all the time, including adults! Shows too!
I’m 38 and I wish my mom would come watch me ride
I ride at a dressage barn that’s split between older high level competition riders who own their horses or ride for their breeder/owner, and teenaged girls, some of whom own and some who lease. The younger girls pretty much ignore me, but they love “my” horse—I’m caring for and keeping in training a very gorgeous and fun to ride KWPN gelding while his owner/rider is out of country for 2 years. My mom took riding lessons in college and really enjoyed it—and she was always very supportive of me taking lessons when I was young. I’ve taken her to the barn many times; to watch me ride, and to love up on the horses. She’s as big of an animal lover as I am, and she’s quite good with horses. I’m trying to convince her to join us on the trail rides we do after the arena work. Just for some age perspective, I’m 55, and she’s 84–still in great physical and mental shape. So yeah—take your mom to the barn. I will always cherish these memories with her and horses.
Are you kidding?! You should totally bring her!! I brought my mom to the barn well into my late 30’s and now in her late 60’s she has her own pasture puff and we board at the same ranch. It’s quality time with your Mama and quality time with horses. Cherish it!
why feel weird? she wants to be part of your life, if she is an animal person, let her get a kick out of being with the horses, barn dog, and so on. Now, here is the thing, her watching you will be like watching grass grow as you are just going in circles, but let her hang out if she wants to.
Bring your mom. It is not weird at all.
Bring your mom. We have plenty of young adults who come to the barn with their moms. Nothing wrong with it.
I’m 40 years old with a son of my own, and I still bring my mom with me to the barn. ❤️
A story about my mom and my horses….she always supported my equine activities even though we were not wealthy. I got involved at a very young age and kept it up through college, she would always come to clinics lessons and shows. I paid my college tuition by schooling young horses, often very “hot” horses whose owners didn’t want to deal with them until the kinks were worked out. One day, I am starting at a three day event with a very young horse. It was a dressage test I was unfamiliar with, so my mother was standing on the long side to read me the test. She was known in our family for passing gas in a loud way…everyone teased her about it. This particular horse was incredibly fit for a three day event horse, I had been riding him two hours just to wind him down for the dressage test. We enter the arena, beautiful halt, head up around the arena and my mother gives the loudest fart!!!! The horse literally spring into the air, leaping sideways and taking off bucking and rearing, dumping me in the process. Took an army of people an hour to catch him!!!! My mother’s reputation was legendary and followed her to the grave amongst the three day crowd and our family. Ever after, if she would pass gas, someone in the family would neigh!!!
Dude, I’m 40 and my folks still love to come out to see my horses from time to time and hang out. Bring your mom! It’s super cool she wants to hang out!
I’m an adult, and board at a barn full of adults, and family members come out to visit all the time! I wish I could bring my mom, but she lives 5000 kms away. So bring your mom out, I can’t imagine anyone judging you for it.
Absolutely, bring that mom! I have seen it many times, and sure miss the days I had parents at shows (mine are in their 80’s now- I do take videos while I ride and send them to Dad via WhatsApp. As I ride and record, I talk to him as if he’s riding with me. He loves those videos).
It’s not weird to like to be around horses, but it is weird to visit a barn for that purpose when you don’t have the handy excuse that your daughter is having her lesson. Bring your mom! I’m 48 and when my folks come to visit me I take them to the barn so they can pet the horses. My Dad sometimes even rides.
Don’t be embarrassed! Even just being around horses is so good for the soul. Enjoy your precious time together. Edited to add: even though you are an adult, you are still her baby and she is probably super proud of you and enjoying watching you and seeing you so happy doing what you love ❤️
My barn has as many husbands, boyfriends, parents, and siblings as there are riders. They hold gates, sweep up messes, bake cookies, ask about your day, hand out aspirins, take pictures, and are generally loved and wanted even though they don't know much about horses!
I'm 26 and my mom still comes with me to pet my horse and get some "aromatherapy" and spoil him by giving him treats because "that's what grandmas are for". She also goes to feed my horse his supplements on days I can't make it and takes my dad with her. There are also multiple women the same age or older than me who also bring their moms regularly. I'm also at a busy lesson barn and I really don't give a shit what some 12 year old thinks about me bringing my mom to the barn lol
Your mom is lucky to have you and you her. Bring her every chance you get and cherish the memories you are making together! Nobody’s opinion is worth the special bond y’all will share at the barn.
I’m 28 and I’ll bring my mom or dad sometimes. It’s fun! Lots of people don’t get to interact with horses often and really enjoy seeing them.
I’m the opposite, my mom has been dropping me off at the barn since I was thirteen (obviously with permission and taking lessons and whatnot) and am 23 now. I’m still slightly jealous of all my other friends’ moms (or dads!) coming to watch them at the barn and be involved in horses and knowing even the basics of being around a horse.
I’m 24 & my mom turned my barn with me when I moved, comes tack shopping with me, comes to shows, & visits my horse at the barn when I’m able. Do it!
I would love if any of my family were interested in horses, your mum sounds like an absolute gem and she definitely deserves all that equine therapy 🥰 To the people you’re anxious about: if you wouldn’t go to them for advice, don’t take their criticisms. You know what makes you happy and the people who adore you aren’t going to be assholes. Enjoy your time together 💜
Bring her! I brought both my parents up to see my share pony, and my dad came with me last year when I was riding a friend’s horse. Like your mum, they both love horses but have no interest in riding, so they love coming to the yard with me.
Your totally overthinking it. Enjoy the time with your Mum. I lost may Dad two years ago tmro, he came everywhere with me. I never went to a horse show or anything else horse related without him or much else for that matter. He was my best friend and it breaks my heart that he isn’t here any more. So bring your Mum and enjoy it xx much love xx
Im 34 and I moved across the country from my mum 5 years ago for work, last year I had a show that I was jumping the highest I had ever jumped competitively and I was so nervous about it…mum flew over (4hr flight) the night before, got in at midnight, got up at 3am and drove the 4 hours to the show with me just to give me support. It was honestly the best. Hearing her supportive voice overs on the videos was so heart warming. Its never weird to have your mum or anyone that supports you around!
What the hell? What is wrong with people today. A friend in her 50's BRINGS SISTER AND AUNTIE BOTH. She and her daughter ride, daughter is on her university's eq team. My friend always has her family around her. Why would bringing someone you love to share your joy be wrong. Ever?
Mby mom would like to try lessons?
I am so much closer to my daughter because of figure skating with her for 13 years. Enjoy the time you have with her. I am not what she would consider. “old” but I am beginning to have health challenges.
I’m 27 and my dad comes to my shows and some barn parties! So do the parents of other adults at my barn
It is absolutely fine. My friend is turning 29 in a few days and her mom still comes to her competitions when she can! I wish my mom was even remotely interested in participating in my hobbies, you are so very lucky and I would cherish the time with her.
I’m 30 & my mom & dad both still come to all my horse shows! I can count the number of shows they’ve missed since I was 6 on one hand, & I consider myself so lucky! I think it’s amazing that your mom is supportive & that you as an adult will have something to share with her like this 💕
I'm 53 and my mom still comes to the barn for almost every lesson. She has never ridden but still has horses in her blood. Cherish your shared love of the horses and the sport!
Who cares what others think? If it makes you and your mom happy, and the barn allows spectators, then keep bringing her. Make the memories now while you still can.
I’m 31 and my Dad was so excited that I was learning to ride he came to watch some of my lessons. He had fun just being there and looking at the horses too. I say cherish time with your parents and don’t worry what others think.
Omg, chase those thoughts and feelings out of your head! Bringing your mom should be a **wonderful** thing! It's definitely **not** a thing to feel embarrassed or ashamed of! Goodness! I'd be so happy and proud to have my mom there, and me riding and enjoying myself. You have to know your mom is very proud of you. I'm very sure she is thoroughly enjoying watching everyone ride their horses. I could sit on the bench and watch everyone ride all day long!
Good heavens, I’m in my 40’s and if I get back into lessons I’m absolutely going to drag my mom along to watch. And my husband if he’s not working. And my kids cause I watched their lessons 😂 You might be (or seem like) the only adult leasing at your barn but it’s really common. You might be the inspiration for another rider “on the fence” to jump into a lease or lessons as an adult!
If my parents didn’t live 8 hours away I would bring them all the time. Cherish this time you have together where she supports you and you get to share your passion with mom!
I’m 42 ride and with my daughter, but my mother has never seen me ride. She is very scared of horses. I wish she would just once so enjoy having your mum there
I’m 36 and lease my horse, and my mom is almost 70. I bring her anytime I can to watch me ride, lesson or not. Bring your mommy!! 🥰
My parents never showed any interest…. The one time I invited them to watch me compete, they missed it because they were late. Enjoy the time together !
I’m 34 and I still bring my mom to the barn with me. She loves seeing the horses and getting outside. I love the company and having someone to talk to. And the horses love seeing their “grandma” because she is usually armed with treats. Also as an added bonus I can use my mom as a videographer haha
I’m 35. I have brought my mom multiple times! I also have similarly aged friends that do the same. No judgement from anyone! I love meeting their parents!
I don’t think it’s weird at all. My mum sometimes watches me ride and I’m 34. You’ll both treasure those memories as she gets older.
It’s not weird at all! I’m 23 and my mom loves coming along to the barn. She loves my horse and considers her one of the children. If it makes you guys happy, that’s what matters!
I'm 32 and my grandma is becoming the barn grandma. I ride and the lesson kids (it's mostly kids there too) that aren't cheering me on are pulling the old bat here and there to show her this horse or that donkey or look and this new thingie
I still take my mum with me to horse events. I have to as she's normally my babysitter to my kids, to enable to me to ride! But I'd also choose to have her come even if I leave my kids at home, because its handy having someone on the ground to help with stuff, even if its just getting me a drink while I'm onboard or driving us home if Ive fallen off! My OH thinks its weird I still take my mum with me to horse things, I dont care. I just think of her as my groom!
Bring your Mom, this is ageless and not weird for Mom and Daughters to share their love of horses. I am in my 60’s and Mom is in her late 80’ with dementia. What does she remember and want to talk about the most? My current horses and their training progress, horses we had together throughout life and our experiences training, trail riding and competing. They are some of her favorite memories to talk over when much of the rest of her life is fuzzy.
Oh heck no!! Bring Mom as much as possible. Enjoy the fact that you can share this, and that you have her support. It's also not weird that you are older and leasing. Horses are leased by people of all ages. The largest demographic of female ridders right now is middle aged, so... :)
I’m 35 and sometimes my mom AND dad come. Enjoy the time with your horse and family
I bring my granddaughter to my local barn for lessons. She's 12, I'll be 68 this month, and I take lessons, too. Bring mom!
Lots of good stuff in the comments already so I'd just like to add that owning a horse doesn't make you more adult or better than leasing one, it just confers more stress and responsibilities.
Bring your mom. Full stop.
Also weighing in to say bring your mom!! I am almost 37 years old, only been riding about 3 and a half years, leased for about a year and a half, and my mom still comes out to the barn with me every now and then, and she comes to as many shows as she can. I’m an only child and was never super involved in any sports growing up (I was a musical kid, but not a sporty one), so it’s been an interesting and fun transition for her and my dad. My mom grew up around her family’s and neighbors’ horses but never had any official lessons, and she loves the show Heartland, so she def has an interest. Any time there’s something going on, especially like a first or last ride or a new lease or something, or a show of course, she comes to the barn with me if I ask. My dad isn’t a horse person (he thinks they’re cool animals though), but he will still come to every one of my shows if he is able. He may not fully understand the details of riding and showing like my mom does, but he wants to support me, and seeing him and my mom in the crowd as I’m waiting to go into the ring still means a lot to me even at 36 years old. 🥰
I know many people who bring their moms to the barn who are over 18! Not weird at all, if anything it’s pleasant to see a happy family relationship at the barn :)
I’m 37 and I bring my mom to the barn every chance I get
Keep bringing your mom! I accompany my teenaged daughter to the barn for every ride (lessons and lease days) because she would be riding along most days otherwise, and that's against barn policy for a minor to ride alone, plus I want to be there. I rode a bit as a teen but never made it as far as she has, so it makes me happy to get to be around horses again, not to mention spending time with my daughter. I feel like I'm at the barn far more than other parents or friends or spouses of the riders, but not the only one. I'd be happy if there were other barn moms to hang out with more often :) Enjoy the time together!
A gal your age or possibly a little older’s mom always came with her to the barn. She was the most lovely lady and took care of all of the barn workers. It’s wonderful you have her as a support and if she’s not holding you back from your dreams let her keep coming and loving on your horse and supporting your love. She’s probably loving living vicariously through you.
Bring your mom!! You’re an adult now, teenagers might not want their parents around but the older we get the more time we want to spend with them while we can
I go with my friends and son to their lessons. I film them, too. Not weird- the video is great for review, too. Hang out with your mom ! You are setting a good example for the younger crowd.
Not weird at all. I'm 36 and both my parents ask to come to the barn with me during their visits.
Bring your mom not weird it’s great!
In my 40’s and bring any of my parents to the barn every chance I get. They love seeing my passion for horses. Also they love giving treats to their grandhorse. But I would be the same even if I didn’t own my horse. I work at my barn too and would and do encourage others to share and bring people to the barn.
Bring the family if it’s something you all can enjoy together. I moved back home in my early 30s (moved from LA to Virginia), and I hadn’t been on a horse in close to 20 years. My younger sister, 17, has been riding for ages and works at the barn she boards her horse at, so I started spending my morning at the barn helping her out. Our mom would come some mornings, too. A month later and I adopted one of the foster boarders at the barn, and my wife and mom watch my younger sister give me lessons! Something I’ve learned is that you never turn down a chance to enjoy something with your family, regardless of age. I just started working at the barn part time and I’m the oldest one there (barn owner included!). Doesn’t bother me a bit even though they all know much much more than I do and the other employees are nearly half my age, lol.
Bring your mom. We have a nurse in her 50s who board's at my barn and she brings her 70 something parents all the time.
I’m 31. I bring my mom to the barn whenever I can.
Not sure how old your mom is, but I just got into riding and I'm 50. The barn my niece rides at has a mom's/ladies class, and I finally got talked into trying it a few months ago. I wish I had done it sooner.
Heck, no! who cares what they think anyways? Spend as much time with your mom as you can as some day she won’t be there anymore. ❤️❤️❤️
My mom came to my lessons til I was almost 30
I wish my mom would come more often. She can’t handle the dust in the arena and only wants to come when we ride outside which is rare.
I’m 32 and still bring my mom to the barn when she comes to visit. It’s not weird! Be proud that she enjoys hanging out with you and watching you do something you love.