expecting 1st baby- how do you cope working, with a baby and a horse?!

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nbn

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I have my boy on DIY (although they can do T/O etc if needs be, I can't really afford it) and am 12 weeks pregnant.
Not too worried about the riding aspect at the moment as he has been on box rest the whole time with a bad ligament injury. I can walk him inhand next week (AAAGGHHH!!) but have already said to vet he can have the rest of winter off (he's not likely to be ready for ridden work for a couple of months anyway and will be a nutcase when I get back on).
It suddenly occured to me this morning that once I go back to work I will have to pick up baby and then do him in the evenings. You surely can't have a baby out too late.
How do those full timers out there manage? I have accepted that I will only be riding a few days a week which is fine as he doesn't need to be competition fit but bit concerned I won't have time to groom him etc.
Would rather not loan him out because a) he's unpredictable to ride so hard to find someone suitable and b) I prefer doing him all myself!
TIA
Oh and also, I thought horses were meant to sense it when you are pregnant? He still shoves me about!
 
I have a 5 month old baby and a sling! I do as much yard work and groundwork as I can with the baby on me, usually after about 5mins in it he's asleep! Then when OH gets home I ride or lunge etc.

A lot of it depends on what facilities your yard has (lights etc) and how safe your horse is (i notice you said you still got shoved which is something I'd be very wary of having baby strapped to you)

Basically I'd say it depends on what support you have and what hours you'll be working.

Another thing to bear in mind is the time after the babies born, I had an emergency section so wasn't allowed to drive let alone ride a highly strung araby type thats had months off. Also if your planning on breast feeding it can take a while to establish expressing etc so you can actually go out without baby.

It's hard but it's not impossible! You'll surprise yourself with how much you can multitask but accept any offers of help!
 
it's hard!!!
i managed for a year by parking next to stable with baby monitor in car etc.
i think it helps to have a supportive partner, maybe do horse when other half is home .
i admit that i didn't cope with it all and sold him when my daughter was 18 months old, as a toddler running around was harder than a baby around horses. did return to horses though had a brake for 7 years!!!!!! but its better than before, because now i appreciate my time with my horse!
all i can suggest is to get into a good routine, hopefully get to yard at sleep times! babies are quite adaptable, but need a good routine. and a bedtime! eventually.
you will find a way to cope with it all.........its just trial
 
Thanks.
I think my boy is bolshy because he's fed up of box rest! He should calm down once he's out again.
I'm sure everyone will help out. I plan on riding when H is looking after the baby but want to make sure the pony gets enough attention too! I'm thinking it should be ok whilst the little one is a baby once it's settled into a routine.
Just a bit daunting esp as I hadn't planned on getting pregnant for about 3 years by which time I hoped to not need to work full time!
 
sorry but full time work a horse and a baby................blimey you will be exhuasted and im not sure how realistic if you dont have extra support...

leave the baby with the nanny for an hour extra so you dont have to take him out, trust me ive done it its no fun when they are ill. if oh is back from work get him to pick baby up and you do horse.

hormones are wierd youmay not even want to go back to work.
 
I'm lucky enough that I don't have to work and I sometimes struggle even though both our horses are on full livery. I hda to wait 3 months after my little grils was born before I got the all clear to ride again, tears and stitches you don't want to hear about!!!

I have just started putting her at the age of 23 months to a child minder twice a week so at least I can get some riding donw in the winter!!!

If you can find someone to help you with the horse accept it, you'll need it.
 
Take all the help you can. If you get get the livery to do morning duties that would help, its always a rush trying to get babies sorted, delivered to the child minders and off to work on time. When they are very little its easier than when they are taking more notice, prob from 5 months +. Ditto sling or parking ner stable with a baby monitor, perhaps limit riding to weekends and perhaps one evening when OH looks after bb.

Try and put your horse on a low maintenance regime (difficult if its on box rest), you will need this as you start to balloon! - perhaps consider 24/7 turn out, not clipping and rugging etc.

I am now 24 week pregnant after a 17 year gap! I think age has a lot to do with it, I feel much more tired this time round and imagine it will take longer to bounce back after the birth.

On the plus side oce bb is here it will be the blink of an eye before its weaned and going to bed at a reasonable hour so you can skip off and leave OH in charge, before you know it it will be at school, probably able to help you - then leaving home for Uni -..........runs of to find hankie
frown.gif
 
I do my stable duties in the morning before DH gets up (like 5.30 in the morning) then get home for 7.30, take baby to childcare and then off to work.

I turn someone else's horse out in the morning and they bring mine in at night so I dont have to go back after work and can get home for tea/bath/story/bed time.

Its very very hard, I wont deny it.
 
I am thinking of doing everything in the mornings. Will be easier than trying to face going down to the yard after work. And lets face it, I'll be awake early anyway!
People are pretty helpful at our yard so sure they will help me out if needs be.
I wish I had the option of not working! One day..........!
 
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