Uncharted Territory – Equestrian Mom

Some of you might have seen my post a couple weeks ago announcing that Kyle and I will have a new addition to the family come May. If not now you know!

There were a lot of things to consider when we made this decision. I would be lying if I said that the impact on my horses and riding wasn’t at the top of my mind. Not only do kids require massive amounts of time and energy (like horses) they are also expensive. I personally knew that I was not willing to give up riding in order to have children. I do however understand that other people will make different decisions.

tinasickNow that I have survived the first trimester I am trying not to suffer from too much FOMO. At this point in the year I would normally be wrapping up my fall season. Right now I would probably be trying to figure out my spring season plans. There have been a few clinic opportunities and shows that I have had to bow out of. fomo-headerNow I am just trying to figure out how I am going to keep my horses sane. And you know figuring out baby registries and doing way too much googling. tinaconfused

Everyone has different philosophies on when you should stop riding. I personally plan to keep riding as long as I can. As soon as my little passenger is affecting my balance I will start my hiatus from the saddle. At that point my horses will start their extended staycations. I am currently plotting for Annie to go spend some time with the trainer shortly before the baby comes. The thought there being that if she is with the trainer when I am ready to get back in the saddle we will have a nice jump start.You-start-noticing-your-bump-more-more

In the meantime I will take it easy. Having to take the pressure off isn’t a bad thing. I have been having more fun than I have had all year if I am being honest. For fellow blogger equestrian moms how do you make it work? Did you ride during your pregnancy? Did it take long to get back in the saddle?happy-gif-excited-tina-fey-58ae16eb124d1875f7f39114-g

Hoping to get back to normal posts this coming week. Including a review of my awesome Lund Stirrup Leathers!

33 comments

  1. Genny says:

    So, SO excited for you!! Sometimes it is a lot to do it all (plus kids), but the rewards are amazing. When I was pregnant I was able to ride 3-4 times a week until about month 5, but when O went to the ranch, and I was only riding once a week my fitness just kind of fell apart. I was happy to make it to 6.5 months before I felt too ouchy to ride. It was my stupid ankles/joints that made it uncomfortable first.

    Congrats again!

    • Equestrian At Hart says:

      Thanks Genny. I am not sure I will make it to 6 mo but we will see. Headaches keep me out of the saddle more often than not. Plus not a lot of motivation when I know the horses will be getting so many months off. 🙂

  2. Rhiannon says:

    Congratulations, again! No kids for me yet, but given my past pregnancy struggles, I don’t plan to ride past the first trimester (at least right now).

  3. KC says:

    Congrats!!! I rode when I was pregnant with #2, but not for that long. Husband requested that I not (even though horse was a saint), and I was so loaded down with life (finishing my MBA, newly promoted) that I agreed. I was back in the saddle about 8 weeks after Noah was born. Took awhile after that to feel normal again while riding, though.

    For me, fitting in riding with kids requires a great husband, to be honest. If it weren’t for Husband, I don’t know how I could do it. It gets even trickier when they get older and start their own activities- football game vs jumper show is a sucky decision to make (because, let’s be real, kids’ football games are boring).

    Enjoy the shopping! And don’t Google too much. Internet can be a new mom’s WORST enemy.

    • Nicku says:

      Perfectly said! I rode until 6 months with my first. But riding come second trimester was more like toodling safely in an arena. With baby 2 I stopped as soon as I found out because I no longer owned a horse so taking the risk just to scratch my riding itch wasn’t worth it to me. I hopped on 6 weeks post csection with my first, mostly toodling then 12 weeks post csection with my second in lessons on a schoolmaster. Riding with kids takes major help and most of all flexibility. With Carter I’d go to the barn in the morning during his long nap and leave him in the car with a wireless monitor. Baby 2 I rely on my saintly husband to watch them 3 times a week so I can go play. You’ll figure it all out! Babies and kids laugh in the face of our plans so best to stay flexible and not take any of it too seriously:)

      • Equestrian At Hart says:

        Yeah I don’t really do all that much anymore. I am sure it will steadily decline even more through the holidays and into the new year. In the car with a monitor is gold. I am hoping to have a barn pack n play and thankfully my bestie and BO has 2 kids that are great with babies and I hope they will be built in baby sitters.

    • Equestrian At Hart says:

      That makes sense. I hope to be back in the saddle so quickly. 🙂 Thankfully I should have a good support system and when in doubt pack n play it up haha. Agree to the googling. Some stuff you just don’t need to know – but I also can’t help myself haha.

  4. Shelley says:

    Congrats!! Knowing you, I think you’ll definitely be able to handle baby time and horsey time.

    And yes they are expensive. Almost like getting a fourth horse! 😱

  5. Bette says:

    Sending horse loving vibes to your baby!!!! I have 2 older step children (so never had to deal with the baby side) and it’s a lot of fun but I will admit I LOATHE soccer now b/c of them!!!!! So hopefully your little baby will grow to love horses and you can be the dynamic Mom and Child Riding Duo! But that’s a few years away so enjoy little baby and all the exciting new things she/he brings!!!!

  6. Kathryn Richardson says:

    Congrats!!! I had my first and probably only baby in August and it’s definitely a whirlwind, but like you, I never intended to give up horses 🙂 I rode until almost 8 months, though I did not ride Alex all that time as he can be a bit unpredictable and I changed what I was doing in the saddle as my belly got bigger. The last month or so I mostly hacked and did light flat work on a friend’s reliable horse while she kept Alex from going insane 😉 I’ve been back in the saddle about 2 months now and feeling great! Getting your rides in does require a little more planning once there’s a little one in the picture, but it’s totally doable
    So excited for you, and hope you have an easy pregnancy!

  7. Tracy says:

    Congratulations!! That is so exciting! I had my daughter last March and rode through the first trimester and then quit when it was uncomfortable. It’s pretty challenging to keep up with my horse with the baby. She comes with me to the barn on weekdays and does well bundled up in a Tula carrier (with my big preggo jacket zipped over now that it’s colder) for lunging my horse that has great ground manners. My friend offered to hold her while I ride a couple times a week, and I’m extremely grateful for that!

  8. Amanda says:

    Congratulations to you both! That’s so exciting. 🙂 I’m not going to lie, I am probably not going to have kids at least in part because of horse stuff. To be frank, my husband would not be the most useful or supportive around that and it just seems like adding one stressor too many.

  9. Karley says:

    So excited for you… my moto for babies and horses is where there is a will there is a way lol. It’s all about what you want to do and make work.

    Baby 1 rode till I was 8 months prego, last show doing flat only at 7 months. Was back in putzing around nothing crazy at like 4 weeks (csection).

    Baby 2 rode till I was about 6 months, had a harder time getting off so I tapped out sooner. Was back on 4 weeks -and jumping at like 5 bc Henry’s broke and safe lol and I trust him (csection)

    Baby 3 rode till about 4 months and since I was home alone a lot I wanted to be safe. Getting back on time to be determined and it will be another csection.

  10. Elizabeth says:

    Congratulations! Having a baby is the most life changing experience! It can be wonderful and overwhelming, and that is OK! Having children and riding/showing takes a lot of planning and organizing but can happen. You’ve just got to be flexible. Taking time for myself to do the horse thing makes me a better mother for sure. I rode with my first child for the first five months or so, and then maybe three months with the second. I am tiny and my balance was all off and I did not feel totally comfortable on a horse. I think it is a totally individual experience and decision on how long to ride. 🙂

  11. Karen & Hampton says:

    One of my barn pals sets her baby up in the “trunk” of her car with toys and a monitor (she has a hatchback so it’s not actually the trunk! lol!) when its cold, and in warm weather she has a pack n play pen thingie she sets up by the indoor. All the horses are used to it now, and seems to work for her! Mad respect though to those who can juggle kids and horses.

  12. Madeline C. says:

    Along with everyone else I am SO excited for you. I’ve never been pregnant so I don’t really have true advice but seeing my friends go about, I totally agree with you and ride as long as you can. Even just sitting on some old school horse for a few rounds around the arena! I know it helped loosen up some back issues my friend was experiencing during her pregnancy. Plus… Helps with stress too hehe. The registry stuff though… No idea. ^.^ Cannot wait to read about this adventure!

  13. Tiffany mudcreekfarm says:

    Hi there! I am always excited to connect with other equestrian moms for support and encouragement. Congrats! While horses are a huge part of my life, I always say there is more to life then horses and any sacrifice made for kiddo(s) will be well worth it. In the grand scheme of life many of the sacrifices are short lived. Of course it changes things, but kids can be a part of the adventure if we let them. 🙂 Horse people are a pretty determined group and even though kids ad a layer of difficulty to riding there are ways to have it all work together. I personally didn’t ride past the 3 month mark during my pregnancies due to personal conviction about it, but I know many people who successfully rode most of their pregnancy. I have had lots of experience taking kiddos to barns and packing strollers and pak-n-plays etc along so it would be fun to share this adventure with you!

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