Question for HORSE OWNERS ( current or previously) please...!

[LittlePushka]

Just wanted to see if anyone would share their thoughs/experiences with me (whatever they are)about how you manage your horses and raising LO's.

REason I am asking is that I have two horses and a pony and they live with me (rather than in livery). We moved here when unmarried and without prospect of LO's.

Hurrah the LO's have arrived, but our house is now too small for our family (is a teeny tiny two bedroom farmhouse but with 16 acres). I am at a crossroads as to whether to sell up and move to a bigger house and livery the horses or even consider selling/loaning .

I am rarely finding the time to ride ...but I genuinely do love all the other stuff that comes with horse ownership. It has been a hard earned priveledge to have these horses and for whose welfare I accept total responsibility.

(Will not consider selling or loaning LO's )

I would stay put.

Most livery yards are incredibly child unfriendly and your LOs will most likely find themsleves unwelcome and will lose so much freedom and will not be allowed to run round the way they get to at home.

You do see a lot of livery yeards advertsing as no children/dogs. Even if they do allow children/dogs you have to so closely supervise them its not worth it.

I wouold suggest if the horses are not ridden enough, advertise for a rider for 2/3 days per week, there is always a lot of people looing to ride without the bother of their own horse.

...or...swop with me!! I would love some land and to have my horses nearby!!

PS... where abouts are you in the country?

Am in the North York Moors,Eve.

You have all given me lots of good GREAT ideas and oggspog has given me perspective! Thank you.

I had no idea that the thread would be unanimous and it has eased a very troubled mind.

LP - I'm up for a day trip - would you do lessons on pony? - I rode a lot when younger and ds seems to love it but there is no way I can afford to send him for lessons at Leeds prices....

Oggsfrog wow I like the outdoors but you make me feel a right wuss!

LP, just to add my twopenneth worth, I had my horses on livery when the DCs were little. It was actually quite hard going not to mention very expensive and that was part-livery not full. All that getting them into the car, making sure they'd got stuff to keep them amused then keeping a very close eye on them at the yard - phew it was not much fun at times!

Took decision to move to house with land and it's been fantastic. So much easier than abiding by somebody's elses rules as well which I think is something you tend to forget about.

If I were you, I would persevere and when you can extend the house you've got.

I also think stay where you are and extend the house when you can. 16 acres is worth hanging onto.

Is there anyone locally that would exercise your horses now you're busy? Free riding appeals to many - perhaps ask the local primary school if you could a poster up somewhere as there will be mothers there with enough free time to get back into riding?

Our horses are at home and have been through the DCs baby & toddlerhood. Mostly the DCs help out/wander about getting in the way but in very foul weather or when the DCs are ill I leave them indoors whilst I feed/rug up. It's a choice not everyone would agree with but to be frank, the house is so damned big that I can be just as far away from the DCs when I'm in the kitchen and they're in bedrooms as when I'm out in the yard.

And it's a fantastic experience for children to grow up with that much space.

Good luck!

arf @ oggs & ruby's priorities! And much respect too.

Mistlethrush, its about a 2.5hr drive from Leeds so makes it a serious pony ride! I have thought about lessons, though I suspect that the reality would be if I made time to do that, I could make the time to just get out and have a blast in the moors and forests. I am hoping that once the boys are about a little older, perhaps 2 & 3.5 respectively, they will be easier for DH to entertain together, thus allowing me a few hours each week to play out!!

I dont much mind the fact that the horses are not getting as much excersise as they used to, esp the TB who has seen enough competition to last a life time and, as an old boy, looks better for the rest.

Thanks Duchess and GrabshellDude ande Eve, you are all pointing out practicalities that I really had not properly considered - I was young(ish) free and single when I liveried, and even then I lived on the estate.

Like you Duchess, I will happily put the boys in their cots to nap and go off armed with the baby moniter and leave them - or go and muck out at daft hours of the day/night because I can!

Having seen all of these really positive supportive posts I have spoken with DH again and we are going to pursue the extension aspect...at least to the stage where we can get the B Regs. approved and some quotes in for the build in the spring. It may be that the quotes are competitive in the market and I ought not to dismiss the possibility of additional mortgage finance before trying. .

Thank you again for taking the time to post...you are all just magic!!