What to do-opinions please??

[PennywithHenry]

As you all probably know from my soapbox post the other day, I have found myself (quite suprisingly) 'with child.

Now, my big dilemma is whether to give Vogue a year off or have someone come and ride her out once or twice a week to keep her 'ticking over' ???

I've no qualms in keeping a horse that isn't ridden, and I'm pretty sure she won't either, as she's just as happy out in the paddock and going to bed at nights as long as she gets her bucket! I would continue riding her, she's a good girl, but I'm well aware that even the quietest horses can/do spook and I would never forgive myself if that happened, also I suffered from SPD during my pregnancy with Poppy and probably will again, so with pelvic pains etc I couldn't really ride if I ignored the risk factor.

However, she's 20, and I think that keeping her ticking over may be the best way, as I've been working hard to bring her back into work so slowly and carefully, and for her to have a year or so, most likely 18 months, off then coming back into work again may be a shock to her?

I wouldn't particularly want to loan or share her, nor would any stable duties be carried out, I would want someone a couple of times a week to roll up, have a nice steady hack and off they poddle again. I'd happily keep her shod, fed, equipped, insured etc accordingly.

So...if I was to go along the getting a rider route since I don't want to loan or share her and want solely a rider would I be expected to pay the person? I don't want her schooling or anything, just a quiet rider with sympathetic hands. She's forwards going and very willing to please, as quiet as a horse can be in the heaviest of traffic with a 'sane' attitude and brakes....Another mum or such like would be great, someone who would like an hour or two riding a week with no other expenses/comittments....but again, would I pay? How much if so?

But then I worry that someone might 'cock up' my horse

But then I think that if it was only a couple of rides per week I should notice whether vogue was happy with the arrangement or not?

But she's 'safe' in my paddock with me....

Sooooo...what do you think?

Opinions please?

 

[Maisy]

I had chronic SPD with my first 2 pregnancies, when I didnt ride. With #3 I rode till 37 weeks (it was a funny sight I can assure you!) and i think the muscle tone retained from riding kept the baby off my pelvis, and it was the best pregnancy I had! I then didnt ride with #4 as I felt soooooo sick all the way through, and the spd returned with a vengence!!

 

[Happytohack]

Congratulations

Why don't you keep Vogue ticking over yourself for as long as you feel you can - just steadily a couple of times a week or whatever suits you both. You may well find that you are actually better for keeping riding. Once you find you are unable to ride her, I personally wouldn't get anyone in to ride her unless you know them very well. If you did, you would have to make sure your insurance covered them and I certainly wouldn't pay anyone because they then could technically be an employee. I have a feeling you would worry what they were doing with your beloved girl. Vogue will be fine having a little while off (probably won't be nearly as long as you think). My big gelding who is very arthritic had to have the best part of 2 years off when I had a bad accident, and he was absolutely fine when I got him going again.

 

[conniegirl]

I'd keep her ticking over, one of my veterans went down hill rapidly when we retired him, as soon as i started riding him again (he made it abundantly clear he wanted to go on hacks too) he picked up again and now at 25 is still being shown at the county shows.

I cant advise you on riding when pregnant seeing as i've never been pregnant before, but i will say that if you personaly do not feel safe and happy doing something then it isnt worth doing.

Perhaps find a horse mad teen without a horse who would probably bite your arm off for a free ride. Make sure she has her own rider insurance and just keep your mare ticking over

 

[cyearsley]

I would advertise without mentioning money and see if you get any interest. You may well find that someone is looking for a hack for a couple of times a week and come to a mutual agreement that suits you both with no money exchanging hands.......if you want an experienced rider or someone to school her then you may have to pay for that but I know a few people who just hack other peoples horses for a bit of R&R and no money changes hands. Think ticking her over at 20 is the right thing to do, hope it all works out and good luck with the horse and the baby!

 

[hairycob]

Before I had my own horse I would have leapt at that sort of arrangement without being paid & I would have brought along carrots.

 

[Natch]

I would get someone in to rider her to keep her going. Age-ist as it may be, (and I'm 24!) I'd probably look for someone who is older, maybe a mum who genuinely does only want a pootle about a couple of times a week - if I got someone younger and who was into XY & Z then I would worry that they would push her too far or do silly things.

(my mum would be ideal for you I'm sure! Pity I bet you're not in the Norfolk area, I'd love to get her back on a safe and sane horse regularly!!)

I wouldn't pay or charge - you need this horse to be ticked over, and the other person is getting a free ride.

Could you ask friends etc if they know anyone - might come with slightly more assurance than a complete stranger? But if you look for someone now, while you are still fit and well enough to walk out with them you can get yourself well and truly happy that they are what you are after.

Best of luck!

 

[MurphysMinder]

The first year my daughter was at university a friend of mine came and hacked Murph out a couple of times a week. There was no fee involved, she did it because she enjoyed it. She was the Mum of one of my sons school friends, who had given up her horse when she had a family. I wouldn't advertise for someone, its far better if you can find someone by word of mouth. I bet there are other Mums out there who would be glad of the chance to hack a sensible horse. If you find someone I would go out with them either on foot or on a bike for a few times until you are sure they are competent.

 

[mickey]

Whilst I think there would be no problem with leaving her unridden for a period, I personally think if this were my horse, then I would be happy for her to have a couple of hacks a week. I would advertise for competent rider in local tack shops, if I didn't know of a suitable candidate already! You will want to see them ride a couple of times, tack up, assess their general attitude. Insurance again.
I wouldn't pay what is essentially a 'leisure rider' (unless BHS qualified) for this. If anything they should be making a contribution to you?
You could keep an eye over how things work out and if they don't ,well, you can always revert to your other scenario. Hope it all works out whichever you decide.

 

[Kat]

Penny where are you based? There might be people on the forum who would be happy to have a couple of quiet hacks a week just for the pleasure of being on the back of a horse.

 

[AmyMay]

Congrats.

Keep her ticking over. I'm sure you can safely ride up until about 5 or 6 months, then can be back in the saddle again shortly after the baby is born. So no need for her to have a huge amount of time off.

How exciting!