Pregnant - horse dilemma

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Como

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Hi all, I would appreciate other people's experiences/advice. I am 3 months pregnant and while still riding I'm concious that there will be a point when I can't any more and may have to take not only a break from riding but getting down to the yard at all (20 mins drive away). My horse in on full livery so care isn't a problem, it's first class, but I'm feeling guilty about him missing out on exercise and lots of one to one care in the near future. I have a friend who rides him twice a month, but would other people look for a sharer or just accept that they may have to put their horse on the back burner for a few months. Or am I being naive and a new baby will mean I never leave the house again and a sharer is a must!!
 
i think a sharer is a must. for the first year i should think there wont be much time.......... unless your hubby/partner is there all the time, in which case it may be possible - im sure you will work something out
 
One of my best friends is sharer of a horse whose owner has just had a baby. She ttok the ride when she was 5monthes gone, and we think she will ride/compete him until the child is 2years old. They have a formal agreement, owner is always consulted when she wants to compete/hunt etc and everything is done through the OK of the owner first. I think its a really good deal, I would definately get looking, I know this share has turned Al's life around- just make you find someone experienced and entusiastic who you can rely on
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I think in your position I'd try a sharer, just so I wasnt stressing I was neglecting Horsie whilst pregnant/being a new mum.

I neeed someone in this position in Manc/Lancs who wants a sharer! lol.
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A sharer would be an option, but depending what type of birth you have you may be back in the saddle before you think. I know many people that have had a normal birth and been back in the saddle 2/3 weeks later. I know of one person who also had their horse on full livery that used to take baby to yard park pram outside school and school for 30 - 40 mins. It worked well and she generaly managed to coincide the riding with babies sleep times. I really think that horses need holidays sometimes and if you think that you will manage with the riding especially once it starts to get warmer why not give your ned a break then bring him back into work in the spring. This is what I would do anyway, wouldn't like the thought of someone else getting all the fun out of my horse!!!
 
With you Halfpass... I have put a lot of work into my two girls and would hate to think of someone else getting all the benefits and possibly undoing some of the things we had established.

When we start thinking about babies (not in the near future I may add) I will put my horses on full schooling livery with someone I know and trust so they are being exercised for as long as necessary.

A friend of mine went up to the yard until a few days before she had her baby and mucked out... that will probably be me!
 
yeah i had a baby three months ago, not natural birth c section,was back riding after 6 weeks on friends horse as mine too lively he had three months off as i rode till i was 8 months. am back on him and youngsters now and i just get friends to help with child care or leave outside school, maybe just get help couple of days a week or enlist grandparents for few hrs a day!!!!
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How near do your mum/mum in law live? (Can be help or hinderance!) but prob be big help in first weeks. I needed some kind of anchor on normality after my 3 and my horse was my sanity. Yes, a share is a good idea; get the right person and have firm boundaries - in a few months to a year you will want to have it all to yourself! How near is yr horse t you? I managed to ride/muck out etc but was lucky as he lived in close proximity I also have a wonderful husband - who still puts up with me being away with the horses! Good luck - it will work itself out to an extent!
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I loaned a horse from a pregnat friend for a year. 9 months into the loan when baby was 3 months old she said she was thinking of selling so I bought her
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. She was not the horse I was originally looking for being 16.2 I have difficulty finding something to stand on so I can get on her if we part company unexpectedly
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. But I love her and the two shetlands (that I got for free much to OH displeasure) that keep her company.
So I would say get a sharer.
 
I have my horse on loan from a woman who was pregnant i still have him nearly two years down the line! I think he will be going back this year and i will be sad to see him go but i would love to keep in touch so if you go for the loan option be prepared to have the ex loaner coming to visit lol! I wouldnt think about a sharere if he is on full livery just see if you can find a friend who is trustworthy to keep him exercised for you if not give him a month off it wont harm him if he is out thro the day
 
Thank you for all your great advice, I think I'm erring on the side of giving him a holiday. It will be over the summer so he will enjoy it. I do intend to get back into the saddle asap after the birth, but let's see how it goes!
 
When i had my first child i had to find a sharer as i had complications with the pregnacy, had a c section and was back in the saddle 6 weeks later. With my second child i think i was actually in labour whilst mucking my horse out! and was back in the saddle 10 days later.
Depends what sort of pregnacy you have, the more active you keep the easier the birth they say. Wouldnt advice on riding as even the best behaved horse can have an unexpected spook. My riding instructor schooled/ hacked 1 a week and i lunge a couple times a week.
Horses and children can go together, just needs some organising!!!
 
all depends what you do or want to do with your horse. i have six though one in foal ,one needing breaking, one just backed ready to eventthis year, one to be put in foal and my special boy that events. so they need to be fit now but if you aren't competeing or planning to this year a holiday would be a good idea till u sort out how easy/hard it will be with baby in tow,good luck if your determined you will sort out the best thing for you
 
My sister had a baby 3 yrs ago,her horse was on diy Livery and she still went every day,mucked out etc, she stopped riding at about 6 months,thats got to be your choice,i thought she was a bit silly as her horse is no plod!
Any way from day 1 of the baby been born she took the baby in her pushchair ,mucked out,and schooled her all with the baby with hershe is a very determined person i have to say,at 6 months the baby went to nursery 3 days per week and has ever since,she rides every day and now has a 3yr old daughter who can muck out and even rides already! dont let a baby become something that rules your life,you can still have a pretty much normal life, be a good mother but also still enjoy your horse,i know as i also have 2 children and have never changed my riding habits and have always owned a horse,i did make sure i was heavily pregnaNT in summer though so my horse was turned out ,hows that for planning.
Good luck,and just enjoy motherhood and your horse,its possible to have both.
 
OMG! i've not even considered a sharer for H and I'm 22 weeks - I still ride - although initially I couldn't as I had a few problems - after the first scan I got back onboard and feel so much better for the exercise!!!

I don't ride that often - two or three times a week - with the rest being lunge or loose school sessions and H goes on the horse walker for further leg stretches - When the time comes when the baby arrives if she has to have a few weeks off then so be it - I'll get my instructor to ride her for me until I can get back on board - Getting BACK in the saddle is my priority after having the baby - Baby will fit in around my lifestyle - it will come to the yard with me and be pushed around by a willing helper whilst I ride - This is what all my friends have done - so I don't see why it can't be my plan too!

IF it all goes wrong - I'll have to rethink - but baby and horse definitely go hand in hand for me!
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Good luck!
Kate x
 
I have a nine month old baby and I am getting to ride 3 times a week and I lunge once a week when he is asleep in the car.

I keep my three horses on my own with no help.

If you are determined you will get your life back.

I turned my boy away for about 18 months. He isn't bothered at all. He's had a great holiday and we are both refreshed and getting back to fitness together.
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Don't fret too much. These things tend to work out just fine
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