People with horses and children!

C

ClippityClop

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When you have 'just a horse/s, they become more or less your whole world. Like your babies! What happens when you have children, do you love your horse still as much or less. Its now not your only baby, and does your horse get less attention?? Or do you love your horse more then your child??

I dont know because ive not got any children and arnt planning on having any either! LOL

Im just wondering....
 
my horses aren't able to tell me if/where/when they hurt so i've had to learn to read the signs, exactly the same as having a baby.
to me the horses are the babies, once my kids are old enough to talk/understand/accept then whilst i'm around the horses they take priority, not my kids. for most of the day kids are number one.
 
Erm, kids are always number one - sorry but they have to be - they are your kids after all.

Oh god we aren't going down that shouting match of I love my rabbit more than my kids are we? Have I fallen into the trap?

I have owned horses for 30 odd years - horses were my life up to 10 years ago and then the kids came along - I put the whole horsey life on hold for 10 years until I had enough money and time to give it justice again. Now, I juggle the whole lot, full time work, kids, home and horses.

But, the kids will always come first - if money got tight the horses would go so I could keep roof over head and food in tums - simples.
 
I bought my daughter a pony and now we hack out together!

It's not been easy, my daughter is my no 1, but now I can combine the two it's great! Our neddies adore each other too so it's easy. I also have a very supportive hubby who is never even more suffering as I've become a pony club mum too!!
 
also to add to my first reply, my OH and i have an agreement that if the horses start 'taking' money away from the kids then the horses have to go. it's fair enough, so i just make sure the kids don't go without.
 
My horse, our dogs and our cars are our world, i would much rather spend my time, effort and money on my animals, my OH and our track cars. Call me selfish but i just aint a kid person! Dont think i was born with the maternal instinct :D I know so many friends who have given up and had to sell their beloved horses for a baby :mad: No way for me im afraid, i'd rather get rid of the baby than my horse! Lol ;)
 
C&C I don't think you should have to justify yourself. I personally think it's better to admit that you have other things to spend your money on that fall into societies expectations and have kids you end up resenting! I was working full time with horses when I discovered I was pregnant. Got sacked for being pregnant and took 3 years off horses completely. Last year when my son was nearly 3 and I was working full time we decided it was time to look for another horse. We chose to get a youngster because 1) I've always wanted a youngster! 2) they do take up less time with no riding etc so I could get used to juggling family/horses before riding 3)he cost less for a very well bred horse! I guess having kids has changed the course of my horsey life but I wouldn't say that it's changed for the worse. It's just different! And as to the horse vs kids debate? Sorry kids every time. I adore the very ground my horse walks on but my son is my very lifeblood.
 
i have both, i think that with a supportive OH and a good routine you can have the best of both worlds.

when my littlun was baby i timed it so that i was at yard in a.m to feed muck out and turn out whilst he had his hour long morning nap. afternoon naps where when i would ride or lunge.

i was lucky enough to have a yard where i could park car next to stables n school, baby would sleep in car seat muumy would do horses.

weekends when my oh was having quality time with baby i was doing same with horse.

as he got older he got more involved, i am quite lucky tthat he would sit in car for 45 mins n look at books whilst i schooled etc (again he was parked right next to me)

i now work full time have horse run house ( i am also now a single parent)

he is now nearly 7 and his 1st pony arrives tomoro!!

things would have to get REALLY tight for me to give up my horse but my sone would never go without i however might have to live on bread n dripping but we all do odd things for our neddys lol
 
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Only way I managed was having horses at home. I couldnt give up like some do when I had children so I just rearranged my schedule. I would feed and much out before the squawkers got up. Feed the kiddos and head to work. I would have a play pen or a swing by the place I was riding or working the horse and they would play happily until dinner time. Now my youngest is 16 and has her own horse. I love my girls and I love my horses. If you are determined you can have kids and horses and neither one of them has to be neglected.
 
When my daughter was born I thought i could do my horse around her or that she would fit in to my routine as other horsey mums seemed to manage. It didnt work! I still obviously looked after my horse but had to turn him away and do the bare minimum ie- feed, water and check over. The baby sat in the car or pushchair and without fail screamed! she didnt get used to it at all and my horse became depressed seeming- he loved to work. I put him on loan to lady who hunted and evented and he was himself again.
I focused on my daughter for the next few years and didnt go near a horse! But now we both have horses and she is obsessed- I can spend hours at the yard and she is more than happy. She does her own pony with out ever moaning etc
Unlike the few friends who's children had to "deal with it" and now are totally uninterested and refuse to spend anytime with their ponies!
Of course its different for everyone but in my case i did the right thing for all 3 of us.
 
Was happy to spend time with my kids and OH until my son was 15 ish ( now 19 ) and daughter was old enough to put into a saddle. I now have time and money for my horse (which my husband bought for me as a suprise present on day).
I think I'm part of a large group of ladies (and maybe some men) who's horsey passion took a step back for the sake of the kids (quite happily I might add).
 
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I'm pretty much a new mum,(daugthers nearly 9months) and ill admit I didn't find easy to start! I think partly because I'd a section. And at the start had a non sleeping crying baby, till I got gave 1 of them carry bags. Then I was walking around my yard leading a horse and mucking out with my daugther back against my chest fast asleep and happy, she now sits on my horse, pats and trys talking to him quite happily! So I've had my horse since 6months he's now 16 years, he's my baby and I love him, but my daugther is my world and even if she grows up to hate horses she's still no.1. This is also coming from someone who worked 24-7 with the beasties we all love, and still works as an instructor/groom, and never wanted a family, but its amazing what growing up can do and its so worth it! Sorry end of ramble!
 
There's always enough love to go round! My daughter would always take ultimate priority, though, if a choice had to be made, and that's from someone who's been horse mad all her life.
 
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