Horsey Mums!

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Hannahharper1982

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Just a quick post to enquire with any horsey mums out there, i have a 2.5yr old boy and am looking for a new horse to buy. i've had a break from owning horses for the past 5yrs and desperately miss it so have decided to take the plunge. Just wondering how other mums find juggling work, horses and family (i have an understanding husband :-)) thoughts and comments greatly appreciated!:o
 
I have a 3 yr old who is pony mad - can't imagine where she gets it from! I used to right once a week at the local stables whilst my mamma babysat for me ... Daughter started to ride her cousins pony from the age of 2 and showed enormous interest so, rather than get my own, I gave up my weekly lessons so that she could have a shetland for her 3rd birthday. Best decision I ever made. I still get my horsey fix, even if I can't ride our pony (I do drive her) and watching my daughter have a wonderful time up the yard is worth every sacrifice for me. :D
 
Im thinking about getting another pony for my kids, I have a 14.2hh youngster, and the kids love it down the yard, and sort of fit in around it, Im looking forward to some serious pony club stuff now.
so need a ploddy pony.
 
I'm pretty close to foaling now and intend to make use of childcare, grandparents and helpful OH in order to pursue my hobby. I of course return the favour for gym/farming pursuits :)
 
I always had horses so being pregnant & having a baby didn't make much difference. I won't get on horses that are known to rear & go over anymore, or get on highly strung unknown nutters outside dodgy sales rings to find out why they're so cheap anymore but otherwise apart from the finances & time for competing its the same as pre child. Spent a few years having to hack with a pony on a lr but now have great fun. She comes out hacking whoever I'm with & however fast or far it is. And usually its the experienced adults that she has to slow down for. I have a 14.2 I've had since I was 10 that is as safe as any first pony to have toddlers round. Daughter has ridden from months old on various ponies, had one on loan & we've had her 11.1 4 yrs but only broke it last year (with daughter) so she was riding mine & others previously. I teach her myself so no lessons costs, just cheap diy for two nearby. She's always had to do her pony, but realistically till 5 I helped out. And when muckheap knee deep in mud I tip the barrow still.
I separated in pregnancy & don't have family support but managed fine. So do as we like with our time. Just make sure you have horsey friends if its diy & stay in front on favours, that way if child's ever ill you don't feel like you're putting anyone out asking a favour. Your child may not be horsey just cos you are, but ime even non horsey young children love getting dirty on a yard. And make sure the horse is safe round kids. At 6months old mine used to ride to & from the field which I wouldn't have managed with a nutter. Likewise, grooming etc all easier with a horse thats safe around supervised toddlers.
 
I have two children, my eldest will quite happily mooch about at the yard, help groom and poo pick fields if I am having a lesson. But when I have my youngest (18months) she's generally the buggy pusher as I trundle backwards and forward with barrows of muck after cleaning fields.

We generally manage for one of us to ride when my hubbies not around to help with baby sitting duties while the other one entertains.
 
littlelegs said:
I always had horses so being pregnant & having a baby didn't make much difference. I won't get on horses that are known to rear & go over anymore, or get on highly strung unknown nutters outside dodgy sales rings to find out why they're so cheap anymore but otherwise apart from the finances & time for competing its the same as pre child. Spent a few years having to hack with a pony on a lr but now have great fun. She comes out hacking whoever I'm with & however fast or far it is. And usually its the experienced adults that she has to slow down for. I have a 14.2 I've had since I was 10 that is as safe as any first pony to have toddlers round. Daughter has ridden from months old on various ponies, had one on loan & we've had her 11.1 4 yrs but only broke it last year (with daughter) so she was riding mine & others previously. I teach her myself so no lessons costs, just cheap diy for two nearby. She's always had to do her pony, but realistically till 5 I helped out. And when muckheap knee deep in mud I tip the barrow still.
I separated in pregnancy & don't have family support but managed fine. So do as we like with our time. Just make sure you have horsey friends if its diy & stay in front on favours, that way if child's ever ill you don't feel like you're putting anyone out asking a favour. Your child may not be horsey just cos you are, but ime even non horsey young children love getting dirty on a yard. And make sure the horse is safe round kids. At 6months old mine used to ride to & from the field which I wouldn't have managed with a nutter. Likewise, grooming etc all easier with a horse thats safe around supervised toddlers.
Click to expand...

pretty much the same story as littlelegs including separation but not till she was six months but again, no family support. Major juggling but daughter now rides a friends pony once a week but I am now seriously toying on how to make it more regular. You can do it if you want to that would be more thoughts!

just one question littlelegs how do you get your daughter to listen to you? mine won't listen tells me she knows bets :rolleyes:
 
Interesting thread. I have a 14 month old and ive ridden once since I was 8 weeks pregnant. I miss horses so much and it doesnt help that we moved just as I fell pregnant and i don't know any horsey people in the area, although i'm sure there are plenty.

I've found going back to work pretty hard with a LO so im wondering if trying to fit horses in is a good idea. I have a non horsey oh and and even more non horsey in laws although they were supportive when i did have my horse (sold him 4 years ago for financial reasons). Not sure we'd afford my own at the mo, but considering a share, but finding the right horse would be difficult. Or maybe I'm putting barriers up cos I'm a bit daunted.

Sorry pointless post but feel better writing it to people who will understand.
 
[
just one question littlelegs how do you get your daughter to listen to you? mine won't listen tells me she knows bets :rolleyes:[/QUOTE]

mine 16 and even though I ride tells me on a regular bases that I know nothing, so good luck!!
 
Up to 3/4 it wasn't a case of giving instructions, just letting her ride bareback or in a ponypad so seat & balance sorted itself really. Plus it helps that she's seen me teach older kids & teens she admires & they listen. And she's grown up watching me help others successfully, or breaking/ bringing on youngsters or reschooling. So she's not yet questioned me. If she asks to do something above her ability I explain why she needs to do other stuff first & give her goals to accomplish it if she chooses. And I think now she's older she sees the evidence, she rides at a higher level than average for her age, not very modest to say so but she does. If I stick her on a difficult pony or hers is being silly I leave her to ask for help then give suggestions, which when she tries them work, same for handling. Also helps that I haven't yet let anyone else teach her, but now she's older she has told me she's glad she doesn't ride like some we know.
 
Ladies thanks for your replies they've been insightful! My little boy loves the outdoors so I'm hoping he'll enjoy that side of things even if he's not really horsey :-) guess I was just looking for a bit reassurance that theres time for everyone but as my mum says you only live once! I'm quite luck in that i have a good family network and although not horsey that know i'm horse mad and being the only grandson they jump at any opportunity to babysit!

Well I'm off to view a horse at the weekend so I'll keep you posted :-)
 
I have a 4 year old son and I have had a horse since he was 3 months old. A good buggy is essential in the early days for dragging across the field to poo pick (not that I would take it in the actual field with the horses just leave it by the fence). Whilst I was at home full time on maternity leave I used to lunge with my son watching from his buggy but riding was impossible so I tended to do that in the evenings and at weekends when my very supportive OH had the little one.

I now work part time and 2 days a week my son stays at nursery for the whole day to allow me to ride. On my days/ afternoons off he comes with me and helps with the chores and sometimes rides the yard Shetland. I have to say he has been a fantastic sleeper and eater from 3 months old and only had his first tummy bug this year and I put that down to all the fresh air he has :)
 
I have a three half year old son and I had a huge break from horses thanks to an accident that stopped me riding myself and I have to say was the best thing I ever did. We are horseless at the moment again but hopefully it won't be too long.

Time wise I have to say I have had a few issues really more down to my sons needs rather than work as my husband and I agreed that I would be a stay at home mum and just run with my hobbies rather than go back to work, he increased his hours works incredibly hard and still takes time for our son (thank god for working for himself) ok so we aren't cash rich but we are in the areas that matter.

I found that taking a horse full time was going to be an issue but loaning for a couple of days a week (initially a day) was ideal for us. The other thing is that I didn't want to end up one of those pushy mums I keep seeing on tv programs who are really living life through their kids and only doing a day or so a week he really looked forward to it, I was worried that if it was a fulltime commitment then he would get to find it more a chore. I did promise myself that when old enough to make the decision for himself if he decided that it wasn't for him then I would give up and try something else that he is passionate about.

Have to say though I have loved being back around horses again, never though I would say I actually enjoyed mucking out but well I do :D:D
 
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