anyone here have their own horse? how did you manage with baby?

[snhall]

as title really. my daughter is 3 months old and am feeling very down as don't seem to be able to fit horses back into my life. it's making me very miserable

Fat Mare is on full livery (she was before - both DH and I worked irregular hours with the potential for short-notice travel), although they only excerise her if we ask.

I'm lucky in that DH is horsey as well so we all go to the yard together. DD is nearly 2 and its just starting to get a bit easier as she is getting so interested in horses - but it is still hard and takes up a lot of our family time. We're considering looking for a sharer.

How confident are you of your horse around the baby? How much could you do with your DD in a good sling? I know a couple of ladies that used to lunge their horses with their LO's carried on their backs. Does your DD reliably sleep in her pram at all? DD would never stay asleep for long enough, but I've other friends that managed to get mucking out and grooming done while their LOs had a nap in a nearby safe place (empty stable).

Could you make an arrangement to have a child-free afternoon - either with a childminder or do a "child-swap" with a friend?

There are ways, but it isn't easy by any stretch. Hope you can find a solution.