Hmm - is now the right time?

[Lacuna]

I'm currently sharing a nice pony and riding around 3 times a week. But I've been increasingly thinking it would be great to actually have one of my own were I don't have to always arrange in advance when to ride. (I hasten to add I don't have any problem with my current arrangement but he's not 'mine')

Ony thing is that OH and I have started trying for a family and I'm aware that I may find myself up the duff in the near future or a year hence. Am I mad in thinking of looking for a horse now? I would be looking for a forever horse and would hopefully get a sharer at some point to help out financially.

What'cha all think?

 

[Chestnuttymare]

Well only you know how you feel. I personally think that both things are just huge life changing events and you really don't know how you would cope with doing both. Various factors would come into play like; would you be on diy or part or full livery? how good would your support system be if you were on diy and baby wasn't well. Or how about if horse wasn't well and you had to be there a few times at night, would oh be at home to look after junior, financial - both are flippin costly pieces of kit
How child friendly would your yard be, some yards aren't, a lot of horsey people have their horse to get away from the kids and aren't very tolerant of other peoples kids on the yard. Stamina - both take up a lot of energy. Good sharers are difficult to find too i think and it would also mean that you would be back to sharing, i know it would be yours but in effect it's still sharing but with more pressure.
Loads of variables I reckon. Good luck x

 

[dozzie]

I dont think it is the right time tbh.

But then, if you have a baby, you may never have a horse. And if you have a horse you may decide never to have a baby! (Horses are much easier and cheaper!)

If it was my decision I would have the horse...and sell the baby ...

Seriously though, I would not contemplate buying a first horse if you are trying for a baby. It would be different if you already had one but to buy one now would be a bit silly really IMO. It depends really on the income of you and your partner too. If he is able to support you baby and horse then fine. But I think financially having a baby can be quite a shock and if you have the cost of a horse on top it can put a lot of stress on the family.

So for me, despite preferring horses to babies, it is a no!