How did your horsey perspective/commitment change after having children?

Im tired alot so im not as commited as I was. Some days I want to ride but my body doesnt, like today, because I have had a tough few days with tired little boys.

I do need my horse more because I find she is a tonic to me when ive had such a tough time or the day with the kids has been intense.
 
my kids have fitted into my horsey life really. obviously if they are sick then they have to come first and i either get someone else to do my horses for me or i take blankets and pillows up the yard so the kids can sleep in the car.

the hardest part for me is running out of time in the evenings, by the time i've done the school run i dont' get up to the yard until 4.30pm and then get everything done up there it starts getting very late, most night i don't get home until 8pm and then have to make the tea for the kids then get them sorted for bed. a couple of times a week i'll go up in the daytime and then the kids dad will fetch in later after work.

it's doable but you will only be able to work things out once the child is actually here and depending on how much help you have, the yard you are on and also your horse.
 
My perspective hasn't changed - I still want to improve and to compete but I have little free time and am much more tired. Especially at this time of year, one child or other always seems to have something wrong - colds, teething etc - I haven't had a full night's sleep for over 7 months and at the moment am up about 3 times in the night at least.

But that said I know things will get better and that this is the worst time - once the baby grows up a bit it will get easier to actually take the horse out competing etc. At the moment we just school and hack, and there is a lot I don't have time to do. His mane is rarely pulled and my rugs all need fixing and cleaning etc... but he is happy enough and gets all he really needs.

Helps to have a supportive OH - there's no way I could do it at all if he wasn't willing to have the boys for a few hours each day at the weekends.

Without wishing away their childhoods I am looking forward to the youngest being about 3, so they can play and amuse each other, go out playing football etc (with their Dad!) and then I might get a bit of time back. But it's a lovely time with them and I am happy to put competition etc on hold for a while. Shouldn't have bought a 5 year old horse of course - but couldn't resist...
 
Obviously there's time constraints. And for me, financial constraints mean no competing. However she's pony mad, always has been so its something we do together. Biggest change is that I'm more cautious about injuring myself. I still do everything the average experienced & confident person does, but not the mad stuff I used to. Eg won't get on horses who rear & tip over & that type of thing. It's not that my nerves gone, just that even a minor fracture, let alone a major accident would impact her too.
 
The bottle is not quite what it was, unfortunately. Compounded by the bucking monster. But we're working on that aspect.

I would dearly love for my children to ride, so our evenings at the yard can be together. Working on that aspect, too. Just need to stop lurking on here and nail a few more clients. Perhaps I am selfish, and should have worked on a pony for them first but fate intervened on numerous fronts.

They come to the yard at weekends. Am fortunate that both my husband and I work from home so he does the afternoon run. I go to the yard then, and am finished at 5:30 so can spend time with them afterwards.
 
It's easier once they start school. My 3 year old will be starting nursery next month, so will have a few hours to myself each day, which will make things much easier! Mine are kept at home, so luckily I don't have to make trips to the yard & if they're not feeling well then I just do things a bit later than usual. Like this morning - chucked them both out in field earlier, will muck out stables on a bit when little is feeling a bit more himself. As others said, it helps to have an OH who is supportive & helps out with things.
 
I came back into riding after a long break after my daughter was born. She is severely physically and mentally disabled so she does require alot of time. However as she is getting a bit older (she is 4 and a half now) and going to nursery etc Im having a little more time. The main thing for me is that I lack the balls I used to have..!!! :o Im no where near as gung ho about riding as I used to be as I always have it in the back of my mind what would happen if I were to seriously injure myself.
However, I also suffer depression etc so I find that with all of the added stress in my life that my animals (I have 3 big dogs and 3 parrots also) are a lifeline and a real tonic.:D
 
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