Having a baby and owning a horse

[Misskim89]

Hi everyone. I am currently 30 weeks pregnant and have an 18 month old yearling. I am on DIY livery. I sometimes worry how I am going to cope once the little one is here, like poo picking the field, mucking out, training etc and also the costs of having a baby, a yearling, and soon will be moving out and having our own home. I'm currently working but will be giving up soon so will just be my partners wages plus whatever benefits im entitled to. I know I will end up finding a way I just wanted some reassurance and to know how other people cope. What do you pay out a month for your horse and home and baby and how do you manage basically. Any advice would be much appreciated. I did consider should I sell my yearling but seems unfair as I love him and I want to be able to have my own hobby aswell as a family. I do also have people who can help me but I know not everyone does.

 

[now_loves_mares]

Congratulations on the pregnancy

We keep my horses at home and even then it's not easy, though mainly it's been the work instead of the financial side. Eg I had an emergency c-section so any kind of lifting like poo picking was out of the question for many weeks. Luckily I have an incredible livery and DH who took it in turns. After a while I've got into a routine that gets us through, but I'm not sure my little guy is going to grow up fond of horses. I breastfed so again, although that's a money saver, it also kept me tied close to baby for several months. I'm hanging on to my horses but to be honest they aren't getting enough attention right now. It is HARD.

Financially, I saved up hard so my DH hasn't had to fund my horses - he's taking care of the mortgage while I'm on mat leave but I cover everything for them. I will be going back to work full time for lots of reasons; but partly because it is not the responsibility of my husband to pay for my hobby. I have to say I don't think it's what benefits are meant for either, but that's another discussion entirely.

I'm sure you can make it work, but don't assume everyone does. LOTS of people just find it too hard or expensive. Good luck!

 

[Moomin1]

Babies cost a fortune, and if I gave up work then there would be absolutely no way I could keep my horse since I've had my daughter. She's 18mths now and costs at least as much as my horse per month I would say (which is roughly £300 per month). Management wise, it's not easy, but can be done. It's hard going to start with but does get easier. You do have to sacrifice a lot though. I rarely get to spend any decent time with my horse other than doing the absolute basics, and it's literally a case of chucking tack on without grooming even. It also depends very much on the type of baby you have. My daughter is generally very tolerant and well behaved, however some babies aren't quite so easy to deal with.

It all boils down to how committed you are to keeping your horse, and how much your horse costs you I suppose as to whether you will financially cope. Do expect to be exhausted though lol.

 

[supsup]

My friend whose horse is sharing a field with mine on DIY grass livery had a baby last year, and she's managed to keep things ticking over, but she's had a lot of support from all sides and the horse is an established riding horse. She lives 5min from the yard, and has a very supportive OH and horsey mother 10min away who will babysit for her on occasion so she can go ride. She's used a sling a lot to carry the baby and do some chores with the baby along, but us other liveries have also helped to pick up the slack while she's been unable. I can't speak to their finances, but our grass livery is very cheap. She's gone back to work now part time, but even with the mother helping with baby sitting, I think the extra money earned just about covers child care cost.

In your position, I'd seriously consider selling the youngster, or sending him to youngstock livery. Your life will be full enough without having a daily obligation to do DIY chores, and you're not likely to have the time for much quality time with the horse. You might be better off saving the livery cost and instead finding yourself an opportunity to ride occasionally (riding school, friend's horse, a once or twice a week share...). You'll probably get more out of your horsey time if you can hand over the baby for an hour or two, and that will be easier to arrange if it's a once or twice a week thing, rather than a daily obligation.

 

[Misskim89]

Hey all thanks for your comments, I have a good support system around me and like your friend my mum can babysit and she is also horsey so she helps out at yard too. I'm lucky to be at a stables where we all help each other too. There is no way I would sell him. Il find a way of coping. My partner would look after baby too when he not at work so I can ride etc once Teddy is broken. I just wanted to know how other people coped etc.

 

[Follysmum]

When I had my daughter I panicked that I would never cope, even with help from my horsey mum. Its hard work and takes lots of juggling ( I went back to work fulltime). If you are committed and organised it can be done. I was always shattered but it does get easier.

 

[Jazzy B]

It can be done! I found myself a single mum when my daughter was six months old (I'm sure this won't happen to you op)!!! Anyway, I survived. My horse was kept on a shoestring budget for a time. There was no extras like lessons or outings for us and when we had vet bills I ate a lot of jacket potatoes and cheese for a time... where there is a will there is a way!!!

 

[Nudibranch]

I'll let you know in 8 weeks. ..!
Seriously though, if you have a good support network I'm sure it's possible. We are lucky in having the horses at home, so costs are minimal, plus OH will be around lots to help out. Having said that, my youngest (horse) is 5 tomorrow and I backed him before I was pregnant so the hardest part is done. Not sure I'd be so relaxed about the prospect of an 18 month old with a new baby....
Good luck though!