Horses and Babies.... your thoughts

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Winklepoker

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Would/have you put your horse out on loan, sold or carried on as you are having got pregnant and had a baby?

Food for thought for me in the coming few years :D
 
I sold mine and then bought him back after my son was born (didn't plan to though)! Looking back I should have just turned him away, but worked out fine in the end
 
Of my 3 I will ride 1 as long as physically able then lunge and or turn her away for a bit and part loan/loan the other. The third is Lottie and sadly I doubt she will be here but she is retired and easy to do so no real change for her anyway.
 
I kept mine and rode one until 6 months then had friends ride and my other half. When baby was born I had them on full livery for the first week then took over as normal and was back riding 4 weeks after. I did a hunter trial after 12 weeks not realising how unfit compared to before I was lol :D As long as you can cope financially the rest will fall back into place and you will enjoy the escape you get too.
 
Personally I'd turn them away until I was ready to ride again.

I wouldn't ever loan, far too many horses have been ruined by loaners, and in my opinion it isn't worth it. I would possible part-loan to the right person, but horsey would stay at present situation and I would be keeping a very close eye on the loaner.

Couldn't sell any of mine, so that isn't even a consideration.
 
Depends on what you do and what your horse is like and how you keep them. I am lucky to keep my horses at home, turned out in all but the most severe weather so that cuts down on the work. I am purely a hobby rider and my girl is semi retired so for the short period I did not ride my oldest daughter gave her a once a week outing and she was spent the rest of the time chillaxing. My big daughter also helps out loads with the other horse jobs too so I am very lucky (so is she - mummy still pays for all her horses things!).

In many ways having a horse after baby is born keeps you sane and gives you something other than 'babies' to think about, and it is possible to fit it all in. If you have to drive out to a yard, or once you go back to work it gets difficult - but hey- thats what being a Mummy is all about.
 
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I have had horses on and off during my two pregnancies. The first i rode until i was around 3 months and the second until i was 4 months gone. The boys have been very good and both trained themselves to nod off as soon as we got the the yard- providing we were there the same sort of time everyday- and i knew i would have about an hour which was just enough for me to do all i needed with the horses before they woke up. Now i take both of them (now aged 5 and 1) to the yard with me at least once a day before or after school. The eldest now helps with the horses and baby will either sleep or just sit and take in the surroundings. It is stressful not being able to go to the yard and hang around faffing like i used to as it always seems i am on a deadline but if i want a horse it has to be done! I sometimes feel a little cruel leaving my youngest in the car but he is mere feet away and i always said if he were not happy i would not do it... and so far so good :) :)
 
Finances would be tight be do-able, but the horse should be out gaining experience not plodding about with a beach ball smuggling bobbler on top :D I here what you are saying re loaners but I will be very very careful in selecting - ideally with hope of a close friend taking the reins for 6 months or so :) I havent even come off my pill yet, so all water under the bridge atm!
 
Agree with others baby slept in car on yard if I kept to routine. Sold my chap when No 2 arrived as he was a real active horse and hated being just a hack. Took my time and found a lovely family through my instructor and they have become great friends and still have him 8 years on. :)

Had a break whilst having babies 3 and 4 then got little cob when no4 was 1 yr. Easy pony pick up put down type, loved the kids = Happy :D

It can be done but again as others look at the finances and see what you can do. We also had part livery available if needed for days when baby poorly etc which was fantastic.

Very sensible to plan though.
 
I rode my very sensible mare until I was 7 months. After that and up until my 6 week check up she was ridden once a week by my instructor. I started riding again 6 weeks after my baby was born and now ride 3/4 times a week, including 1 lesson per week whilst my OH looks after our baby. I am very lucky to have such a wonderful and supportive OH otherwise I just wouldn't be able to fit it all in as well as working full-time.

Anything is possible if you are organised!

x
 
I should say now though as forgot to mention earlier after i had my youngest i bought a 2yo as there is no chance i'd have had enough time to ride when Freddie was less than a year old. Now he's 17 months and i am just about to back Ellie so it has all worked out well as now he sleeps for an hour and everyone at the yard knows he's there if there is a problems i will be able to ride in the school for half hour (still not planned re hacking out yet, spose will only be able to do that on days i can convince hubby to 'babysit' :) ). By the time Freddie starts pre-school next summer i should have a full functioning, competable horsea and most importantly FREEDOM from children in the daytime. :) :) :)
 
I'm 38 weeks currently and own 2 horses on DIY, I am lucky in that my husband is horsey and the yard is in walking distance. I rode my older mare until 35 weeks and the second horse is only 3, she has just been lightly backed and is now turned away for at least a year (we timed that to perfection!). My husband is hacking my horse and I lunge/loose school her to keep fitness in between. I will ride again after the six week check juggling baby between us. I intend to leave baby in car in front of stables and when weather nice walk/park in corner of school and ride, he will come with me to do general yard duties. When maternity leave over I have to factor in work as well but both me and OH have slightly strange job timings so have worked out we can mostly juggle the baby between us with a day or two of help per week.

My baby, horses and career are all important and I will be digging deep for a few years to manage the lot, but I will! Anything is possible if you want it enough...
 
thanks so much for all the replies, I am feeling much more at ease already. I am not pregnant, just to confirm, but it has been one of the main reasons I havent been for a few months now. I guess it is doable, juggling a job, baby and horse.

thanks again
 
I have several friends with kids young and old. Horses have never been sold or loaned out - they'be simply become part of the bigger picture.
 
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