Horses and a Family?

[Sophskies]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could help! I'm 28 and would like to start a family with my Husband (we've been married 4 months but together for 10 years.) He's very supportive and says when the baby arrives he is more than happy to look after he/she whilst I ride and can bring it up the stables etc to watch while I compete, but I'm worried about having enough time and wonder how realistic this is? I work full time mon - fri 8:30 - 5pm and my horse is currently on 5 day livery so the stable chores are only my responsibility on saturday and sunday, however I ride around 5 times a week sometimes more. Does anyone else have a horse and a young family? I'm also worried that as my horse is 10 at the moment I will be wasting her peak years to compete after I've put 8 years of hard work into her schooling and jumping. I do want kids, but I don't want to resent them because I can't do what I want to do after they arrive. Any experience or advice would be gratefully received!

I found having a horse and a child fine while I was on maternity leave, but I couldn't manage once I went back to work, and the horse had to go. That said I know there are people who do manage to do it all, and as soon as DD started her free hours at pre school at 3, I got back to it. I'm now having a great time, with a horse on loan, competing once a month or so. It is tough trying to fit it all in, but it is possible. I only have one child though, I am fairly sure I couldn't do it with two.

I think it depends how determined you are, and to some extent what facilities you have. For example do you have access to an indoor school so you can ride after children's bedtime in the winter? Having the horse on livery will help, as you don't need to be down there twice a day every day. A supportive partner is a massive plus as well. If it does get too much you could always look into getting a sharer to help out. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Thank you for your response, it was what I expected. Yes I have two outdoor floodlight arenas and an indoor school. I never thought of putting baby to bed and then riding - jolly good idea - just goes to show you need to be creative with your time when you have a full plate. Doing that twice a week and fitting in a ride on the weekend would be feasible I'm sure? Then I could stay with baby one night when hubby goes scuba diving and fairs fair. I think I would definitely need full livery in the week too - DIY would be much too hard.

I had three horses (DIY) when i only had my daughter and we managed fine - But i couldn't manage one horse with my middle son and they had to go.

I think full livery makes a big difference though, i didn't have that option without keeping them miles out.