Juggling children and a horse?

[BellaBoyzie92]

Most probably a stupid question but I have a 9 month old baby and am 14 weeks pregnant with our 2nd..

Due to get my boy back off loan in May, so by then I will be driving and 5.5months pregnant ish. He will be on part livery, I have a sharer lined up who was around before he went on loan and is fantastic.

She will contribute financially but most importantly treats him like her own, rides well, does all duties to 'my' standard lol and poopicks every time she's up as well.
My OH works mon-fri but is also good with the big man so could go up evening/weekends if need be.

I was just wondering how hard it will be really? And what am I letting myself in for? I'm looking forward to having him back more than anything but just worry sometimes.
Sorry for rambling, chocolate brownies for anyone who gets this far

 

[pennyturner]

You can juggle ponies and children, but chainsaws is safer!

Seriously though, It's not impossible. I have 6 children, 11 ponies and a full time job.
You can do a few things that will make life easier for yourself:

Go barefoot and learn to do a little 'tidying up' rasping to reduce farrier visits.
Get them out 24/7 if they're not already, ideally somewhere where you can rotate and harrow, rather than poo pick.
Break your horse to drive - that way you can take the kids with you. A governess cart is perfect.

 

[BellaBoyzie92]

You can juggle ponies and children, but chainsaws is safer!

LOL! This did make me chuckle blimey, you sound like you have your hands full! Sounds like fun though.
Big man has to be shod to stay sound as his pedal bones sunk slightly in 2012, otherwise he would go barefoot.
He will be back on a yard we were on before, quiet, but quite a few horses/ponies. He will be fed/rugs changed/turned out every morning, although will live out march-october.
I'll be able to only go up once a day until baby arrives, then have enough support to have him looked after for a good few weeks.
I'm not able to harrow where he will be but the sharer I had before used to do all my poopicking for me on the days she came up. And the OH doesn't mind doing it either
I just had a 'friend' tell me I'll be pulling my hair out with exhaustion and be too tired to enjoy him so panicked a bit. Relieved to know its not impossible lol.
ETA: he's 18 this year so think it may be too late to break to drive?

 

[blitznbobs]

The first thing I would look at when making this decision is your husband/partner... I have 2 children (5 and 2) and 4 horses with no 5 arriving on MOnday... (3 not ridden). and without my hubby I couldn't do it. I work evenings and nights so that helps. I have ZERO social life and if my friends are 'horsey'... otherwise I wouldn't see them.. It's all good fun and I'm a horse addict but it's also exhausting --- so don't take it on lightly.

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

LOL, my first thought too was how dangerous that was!

I have 2 sons (6 & 4), 6 ponies and 2 part time jobs, totalling 26hrs a week. My hubby is fab with being left with the kids whilst I ride at the weekend, although William (6) has his own pony so we go out riding together. Now mine are at school it is easier as I can ride during the day too. I am also lucky that the fields I rent are secluded and I can let mine be free range if I want to school in the field. I did used to plonk a child in pram/pushchair in the middle and ride round them. The early years are hard but you get through them. All the best.