Pregnancy and working with horses

Clearround

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I am posting under a new username as I'm not ready to tell my family yet but I have just found out I'm pregnant with my first child. I'm excited but I'm also really worried and that's because of my job.
I work on a yard with 32 horses and I'm one of only 2 staff. We work 14 hour days and regularly have to do things like turn out and catch by ourselves in fields that are a good distance away from the yard. I'm terrified of getting hurt and it effecting the pregnancy.
This week I am absolutely exhausted, and I feel it's impairing my reactions. Yesterday I was bringing a normally very quiet mare in from the field when the rest of the herd started galloping around for no particular reason I could see. As they took off past her she reared, knocked me over and very nearly came down on top of me. If something had happened I wouldn't have been found for at least an hour.

This has really shaken me, normally it would just be a day to day risk I take with the job but I really want this baby and I'm terrified of something like this happening again. To make it worse 1 day a week I have to do the yard completely on my own and I'm normally totally exhausted by the end of that even when not pregnant.

What would you do in my shoes? I have told my employer about the pregnancy and neither he nor my colleague seem bothered except to find out when I will need to leave for (unpaid) maternity. My OH is furious and is suggesting I leave or go part time to at least give myself some recovery time. If it was you what would you do? Only dry biscuits on offer unfortunately because that's all I can stomach right now :)
 

Polos Mum

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What is your plan after having the baby - because that makes a big difference to what you do with your employer in the run up. Do you want to return to work in that job same hours with a new baby?

Try not to worry about injury at this early stage, up to 3/4 months they are amazingly well protected (imaging a goldfish in a plastic bag of water from the fair, you could actually play football with the bag without damaging the fish - not that I would recommend it!), talk to your midwife she should reassure you. Lots of pregnancies are lost in the first 12 weeks but they are almost all genetic issues and nothing to do with how the mother has behaved/ eaten/ exercised etc. When I talked to midwife/ dr and consultant about riding while pregnant they all said a fall would have to be almost fatal for me before it would effect the baby early on.

If you plan to take some time off work after the baby is born to bring her/him up then I would consider quitting earlier than planned to get some rest, if you want to come back part time then no reason not to negoitate part time hours now so you and your employer can get used to the idea and find someone else for your remaining hours. If you want to go back full time TBH Bl**dy good luck to you !!
 

AmyMay

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I think they're probably obliged to make reasonable adjustment to your terms of employment given your pregnancy.
 

sessierose

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If you're not going to be getting paid maternity leave (why not?!), then you're under no obligation to continue to keep working the hours you do. Give your employer some notice and say he'll have to find someone else to do the day you currently do alone, that will at least give you a day off and you might cope with the rest of the work load better. If you're still struggling, then cut down more hours. I'm 24 weeks and starting to get back ache already, it's not so easy bending over to do things when there is a baby in the way!
 

Patterdale

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I think they're probably obliged to make reasonable adjustment to your terms of employment given your pregnancy.

This

If you're not going to be getting paid maternity leave (why not?!), then you're under no obligation to continue to keep working the hours you do. Give your employer some notice and say he'll have to find someone else to do the day you currently do alone, that will at least give you a day off and you might cope with the rest of the work load better. If you're still struggling, then cut down more hours. I'm 24 weeks and starting to get back ache already, it's not so easy bending over to do things when there is a baby in the way!

And this.

I'm guessing, like lots of equine employers, they are employing you illegally.

Like it or not they have to protect you at work. Tell them what you expect from them and that if they won't protect you in your pregnancy you will have to leave/take action.
If they're not paying you for maternity leave (which is illegal anyway) then what do you have to lose?

Ps congratulations!
 

MiniMilton

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Realistically your workload is going to have to change significantly as your baby grows. I assume you are doing lots of mucking out? I would be very surprised if you were able to continue this without experiencing extreme back ache.

As the hormone relaxin increases in your body you will become extremely susceptible to injury. I was looking after 9 horses during my first pregnancy. I was foolish, mucking out and lugging around bales of hay etc at 8 months. I did massive damage to ligaments in my body and required 9 months of Physio after my baby was born. To look after 16/32 horses whilst heavily pregnant is impossible.

You are much more likely to damage your body than that of your babies. Having said that, accidents do happen. I was very lucky when a freak accident occurred when I was 7 months. A normally very quiet 2 yo got spooked by something falling behind me, he spun around and lashed out, hitting my arms which were protecting my bump.

I don't know what to suggest really, but things will have to change from your current workload.
Congratulations on the pregnancy and look after yourself.
Good luck!
 

Clare85

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Your employer has an obligation to undertake a pregnancy risk assessment and to make reasonable adjustments to your role to ensure the health and safety of you and your baby during your pregnancy. Obviously you would hope that he is caring enough to be concerned with your safety but also he needs to consider that If he doesn't carry out his obligations and something happens to you then his insurance may be invalid.

How long have you worked there and on what type of contract? If you have been there on a permanent contract for more than 26 weeks as at the 15th week before your baby is due then you are entitled to statutory maternity pay. If not the you should be able to claim maternity allowance from the government.

I would read up on your rights and have a chat with your employer again, outlining his obligations. You need to make sure you are looking after yourself - pregnancy is knackering for most people. I worked in an office during my pregnancy and was still exhausted all the time, I can't imagine having to do 32 horses on my own whilst I was pregnant! That type of work involves a lot of heavy lifting, bending, working in extreme weather conditions (especially with winter around the corner). A fall would be dangerous when pregnant and could cause real problems. I would seek advice from your midwife about this too - I wouldn't dream of kicking a goldfish around in a bag, this should under no circumstances be acceptable for your unborn child!
 

Clearround

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I am technically freelance so pay my own tax hence no maternity. We can afford it if I go part time but I don't know if my boss will go for it, I'm almost to scared to call and talk to him. Time to man up I guess.

I know the baby is well protected but I can't help panicking and the exhaustion is really getting me down. Thanks for the advice everyone it helps to know that I am somewhat justified in my concerns
 

Polos Mum

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Try not to give yourself too hard a time, your body is going through a huge change and it take a huge amount of energy to grow a baby.
The points above about the hormones that relax your ligaments are very valid, not for a few months yet but a simple twisted ankle or landing on your knee funny could do major damage - and it stays in your system for quite a few months after giving birth.
My son I worked (in office) until day before i had him, my daughter I gave up at 29 weeks as I couldn't even do the driving to get to work. Everyone and every pregnancy is different!
 

MagicMelon

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I am technically freelance so pay my own tax hence no maternity. We can afford it if I go part time but I don't know if my boss will go for it, I'm almost to scared to call and talk to him. Time to man up I guess.

I know the baby is well protected but I can't help panicking and the exhaustion is really getting me down. Thanks for the advice everyone it helps to know that I am somewhat justified in my concerns

You've said you're exhausted already and it'll only get worse I'm afraid! Only do what you're comfortable doing, so if I were you I would straight away speak to your boss and see about reducing your hours or can you do different jobs like doing feeds, grooming etc. more than the hard labour ones? I felt dreadful during my pregnancy so feel for you! But I kept battling through it, kept riding up until about 6 weeks before I had my son and stayed in full time work right up until the night I had to go to hospital and have an emergency c-section because my blood pressure had been going up for the last few weeks prior and got way too high :( My OH swears its because I didnt chill out, but staying active to a degree is good - just dont overdo it!
 

lornaA

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I think doing 16/32 horses is far too much. I am very much a believer in just getting on with things when pregnant but u have to be realistic. I am currently 36 weeks pregnant with my 3rd and and exhausted and sore just caring for my own 2 horses. By time I have mucked out 2 my back is killing me. Just a few weeks ago
I have moved my 2 year old to a different yard on part livery as I felt he was being too boisterous for me and I don't want him to suffer because I am not capable at the moment. He wasn't being terribly bad but I think when u are pregnant or a new mum a sense if self preservation kicks in obviously to protect the baby.
I have just started my maternity leave, my job was office based but I was exhausted and glad to be finished. Its hard but I think u need to speak to your boss on how your workload can be cut back. As others have said ur boss has to do risk assessments throughout your pregnancy and as for maternity pay if you don't qualify for it as self employed I am sure you would qualify for maternity allowance which is paid for the same amount of time and at the same rate of £136 a week provided u normally earn more than that for 9 months. Citizens advice are probably the best to advise you on you rights.
 

Costypop

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Sorry but personally I think you've taken on too much. This is from someone who was still riding up to my date and jumping at 8months (don't flame me, I was I young mum) I would be looking at getting some shop work quickly and having a break from the horses (or that many horses) I too worked on a yard while pregant but it was 4 horses, the YO turned out first thing so I had all day to do stables etc so if I was feeling rough I could go up later in the day, as long as they were done by bring in time. I found that very hard, but I could still cope with my own.

I think it's unreasonable to ask you to carry on as you are, you need to have a chat with your boss, but I think finding a different job maybe the best thing for you.

Well done on pregancy, we are trying now but having no luck :( x
 

Goldenstar

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A couple of years ago one of my self employed girls discovered she was expecting , I immediatly gave her more time to do things cut her riding right back ( she wanted to ride and rode for other people ) my other girl and I did all the things she found difficult ( like clipping ) if she had wanted to cut her hours I would have done but she was doing far fewer hours for me than OP is doing and although she did more hours for me than any one else she was working for several other people as well .
I think those hours sound pretty impossible I would talk to your employer if you have to leave you will probally find short term work particularily at this time of year if you are in a hunting area.
Great news about the baby.
 

BabyA

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I'm 23 weeks and struggeling to do my own two horses and work full time, luckily work isnt with horses. This last week I'm even finding it hard to bend over and I've a while to go yet! I'm exhausted all the time and know I'm having to do to much. Once you've been for your 12 week scan you're given an information pack which tells you what you're untitled to even when being self employed. You've got to talk to your employer at least then you'll know where you stand and what you should do next. Be brave if he's a dad hopefully he'll understand! Let us know how it goes!
 

Farcical1

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The qualifications for Maternity Allowance are slightly different than those for Statutory Maternity Pay; have a look on www.direct.gov.uk or www.entitledto.co.uk
How about you go to your employer with a plan of the hours you can do, and what realistically you can do in those hours. That way your going in on the front foot, rather than being negative.

If you don't feel you can carry on in this job, then it's coming up to Xmas. Retailers will all be looking for temporary, seasonal staff. Think supermarkets, Argos, department stores, toy retailers; all those who are busy at this time of year. If you carry on earning then you'll still be eligible for Maternity Allowance, which is paid at the same rate as SMP. It's just paid by the government rather than an employer.
Good luck.
 

stencilface

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On the one hand come 12-13 weeks pregnant, you might feel amazing again, full of energy, not sick and wonder how you ever struggled during the first trimester :)

ON the other hand, you might have other things that prevent you working at all during your second trimester - high blood pressure, sore hips, lots of other things. I considered myself lucky in my pregnancy as I rode up to 32 weeks (only walk as doing rehab work) and was able to heft things about and pick out feet, push wheelbarrows up until 38 weeks, although it did take me longer to do things, you just have to be kinder to yourself :)

But you do need to talk to your boss, the first trimester is in many ways the most stressful, as being pregnant is a new thing, you can feel overwhelmed, you can't tell anyone and the constant worry of everything being ok. Now stop worrying about your boss' reaction, listen to your supportive OH, put your feet up and get him to make you a cuppa :)
 

Clearround

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Thank you everyone I'm grateful for the support. I will speak to my boss tonight, I'm just on my way home from work had to get done early because I'm exhausted. I have already spoken to him and he seemed to think things would just carry on as normal.

I can't wait for my first scan, I'm so excited to become a mum
 

Clearround

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Quick update, I spoke to my boss and told him everything that I was feeling and said that it wouldn't be fair on the girl I work with either in the long run because it is hard work. He said he would rather find someone else to go full time than me do part time so I have handed my months notice in and will be having the odd extra day of off during the month.
It's for the best really so now I just have to find a new yard for my two horses and I'm going to look for some part time work.

Thanks for all your advice everyone it really helped ease my mind
 
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