Groom managing baby horse and dog??

[Bird1991]

Hi, This is my first ever post on anything like this so be kind! I’m 28 my husband and I got married in April this year but have been together for 10years. I’m a full time groom I have a horse who lives at my work and we have a dog. We are starting to think about try to have a baby maybe the end of this year, but I can’t help but worry about how you go about managing life with the animals? Any other grooms out there... how long could you keep working for as it’s so physical!? And then once baby is here how on earth do you fit in looking after horse/dog? I guess you work it out as you go? His parents are 1hr away and mine 40mins away so no help just around the corner. Any thoughts would be gratefully received!

I guess it depends on your yard but when I used to be a groom kids on the yard was an absolute no.

The experience of pregnancy varies from person to person. Some of my friends rode and handled until almost the end, others did not feel up to it. I rode till 5mo but it was a bit pointless because I couldn’t school effectively towards the end of that period and I found hacking scary for the first time ever. I handled up to the birth but it was a bit worrying as I wasn’t as stable and fast as I was before.

Your employer should carry out a risk assessment - the grooms’ association probably has advice on this.

As for when the baby comes, it might be worth waiting and seeing how things develop. How long will you be off work with maternity leave?

I had horse and pony at home while pregnant, rode up until 5 mths, only stopped as felt too risky, not due to physically unable. I mucked our both horses until the day before I gave birth! Trusted my horse but I was more wary handling him, as PP says, less agile, more protective of bump. Everyone is different though, I had a straightforward pregnancy. Baby is now 4 mths old, really difficult with a newborn, depends how much they sleep, to enable you to get things done while they nap, (mine not much!) I have put horse on loan and got help with mucking out now!

I imagine you/DH will have to have a child minder, or drop your DC at nursery, and fit in looking after your own horse either before or after you've done all your yard duties. In a way, I think it must be easier to fit in a DC, and a horse into your working day if your work is at the yard, than working FT, and having to travel to a yard, & fit a baby into the mix as well. Not sure about the dog - can DH take the dog for a walk before work and after?