Are there any Horse riding/owning moms out there?

cagey22

 I've noticed a couple of people with pictures of horses in their sigs/avatar so figured there may be some others in a similar boat to me.

I keep 2 horses at home and have managed to keep up with their care just fine, with some extra help from my husband. I would love to spend a bit more time fussing with the horses, but at least know that their basic needs are met. However, I haven't ridden nearly as much as I had hoped and that could largely be attributed to the weather and snow cover. I'm trying to be patient and not get too defeated by thoughts that I will never get to feel any kind of satisfaction from my hobby/passion again. 

I realize that this sounds ridiculously selfish, but I have spent my entire life riding horse and it's almost like breathing to me. I don't feel like myself without it and had always promised myself that I would always make time for it, for the sake of everyone around me

Is anyone else riding, or struggling with making it possible? And this applies to any hobby that requires taking personal time away from the family.

Any thoughts or tips on how to make it work or come to terms with changing goals?

Thanks for your time!

sleepy33

Once it warms up, get an old Pack n Play to keep out at the barn!

huntjul

I have a horse who is out on lease at the moment because of where we live.  However, riding in the winter was always a struggle with work and cold, lost daylight, etc.  When we went back to the US this fall, right after Clara was born we went to visit my horse and lessor for a week.  DH watched Clara daily so that I could go and ride.  He understood how important it was to me.  Some days he brought DD to the barn with me, sometimes not if it was too cold.

Once baby is old enough, I'll get a Western saddle (I usually ride English--eventing but my horse is quiet as long as she's not shown a jump) and some Li'l dude stirrups to hang over the horn and take her with me.  Or once she's bigger, get a pony and pony her on it.  We'll sort something out--but that's a few years away.

Can you hire a sitter twice a week to ride?  Maybe a teenager who would be willing to watch baby twice a week in exchange for riding privileges?  I happily would have done that as a teenager!

sleepy33

huntjul said:

I have a horse who is out on lease at the moment because of where we live.  However, riding in the winter was always a struggle with work and cold, lost daylight, etc.  When we went back to the US this fall, right after Clara was born we went to visit my horse and lessor for a week.  DH watched Clara daily so that I could go and ride.  He understood how important it was to me.  Some days he brought DD to the barn with me, sometimes not if it was too cold.

Once baby is old enough, I'll get a Western saddle (I usually ride English--eventing but my horse is quiet as long as she's not shown a jump) and some Li'l dude stirrups to hang over the horn and take her with me.  Or once she's bigger, get a pony and pony her on it.  We'll sort something out--but that's a few years away.

Can you hire a sitter twice a week to ride?  Maybe a teenager who would be willing to watch baby twice a week in exchange for riding privileges?  I happily would have done that as a teenager!

I was literally just coming back in here to suggest the 'riding for babysitting' idea, @huntjul.

Chrisanna0508

I am about to get back into riding. I sold my horse when I got pregnant because of the expense, but still want to at least take lessons somewhere. Even though you do have new priorities now, you still need to take care of yourself and if horse time is what you need, then find a way to make it happen. We are all better for our LOs if we are calm and not stressed.

cagey22

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses!

I really appreciate your ideas and experiences.  I think part of my challenge is that I work from home 9 months of the year so am juggling a full time job, with full time child care responsibilities. Many weekends I am traveling for work, then summers I move away for summer camp and there simply is no time to ride during that time. I am a very lucky girl to have the set up that I do, but it is hard to fit everything in too (as it is for all of you).

@sleepy33 - I will be counting the days until Matilda can come and sit in the barn while I ride. Luckily for me, I have a sand area to ride, so I don't need the ground to completely dry out. That Pack n play should come in real handy!

@wedding06 - I completely know what you mean about your cat. My dogs feel a little less loved too. They seem to be sadder about it than the horses, that's for sure. You're absolutely right that I need to just carve out time spend with the horses and make it a routine. I'm glad you get to snuggle with your cat again.

@huntjul - That is a great idea and I think I'll try to find someone to fit the bill. I rode a little right after Matilda was born (well 2 weeks after), but I guess I need to realize that this winter can't last for ever. I want to cling to my dream of competing in the Rolex! I used to event too, but more recently have been training youngsters and bringing along 'hooligans'. Plonking around will suffice for now, but ultimately my adrenaline will need a fix at some point.

@Chrisanna0508 - Good luck with the lessons and you're right - I do believe we need to feed our souls to keep sane and frankly, I think it's good role modeling to have something you're dedicated to, within reason.

Huge thanks again, horsey mamas!

huntjul

awwwpuddin said:

@huntjul you rode a horse PP?! Ow.

Eh, it was 4 weeks PP, I had no tearing and almost a slip and slide birth.  Riding was totally NBD.  Jumped too.  

huntjul

@cagey22 I am sooo far from having an advanced horse--or let's be honest from being an advanced rider--that Rolex would be a crazy dream for me.  I would like someday to compete at KY Horse Park though, and Fair Hill.

JamieMaffenbeier

I haven't been able to ride because it's been 50 below..... I'm so over it! But I do have a friend with a baby and we plan on riding together. Ill watch the kids and she will ride, and then we will swap! This is also what we plan on doing for the summer while we jackpot. Do you have a friend you could make it work with? Also one of the arenas I haul my horse to has a enclosed area for the older kids with a bunch of toys. That way they are safe from the animals and entertained while mama gets a ride in!

juliemay623

Well we all know @chelseyestelle doesn't ride...

Jalee85

I have 2 horses that are with my Mom she moved states so it's a moo point. Then we have 5 horses at our ranch, but we live in town. I used to ride all the time, but when I got sick with Lupus I stopped riding. I definitely want to get back to it though.

Chrisanna0508

@huntjul I've never competed at Fair Hill because I'm not that good either, but it is beautiful there. I walked the advanced XC course at Morven Park in Va one time and I almost shit myself just looking at some of the jumps

lawyerlindsay

I show dogs as a hobby, so it's a real time commitment.  When I enter both dogs, which I have been, the week before a dog show I spend 6+ hours bathing, drying, and grooming.  And the, of course, for the dog show, it is an all day event.

I am lucky because DH is supportive and takes care of DD when I'm prepping during the week.  I've only had a couple dog shows since she was born.  We brought her to one, where DH and my mom helped take care of DD when I was grooming and showing, and the other one she was sick so she stayed home while I was just gone for the day (it was a local show).

Dog showing is my hobby and passion.  If I don't do it, I miss it terribly. I have to be happy to be a good mom, so I just make time for it.