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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 307
Location: Florida | Been a while, y'all! I went and made a human and stopped riding once I got good & round, probably could've stretched it a couple more weeks, but better safe than sorry; she was my first! Anyways, while I was still baking the bun my husband got an AWESOME job which moved us 45 minutes away from the ranch. My horses have always been with my dad's horses- our barn, at the home I grew up in, I've always lived within 10 minutes so it's never been an issue... until now. So I work at a vet's office in the same town my horses are in, I drive 45 mins here and back every day. However, they're out of town about 15 mins. By the time I'm off at 5ish, (or 6 or 7), go pick up my daughter from daycare, get out there, fed, brushed, saddled, etc. I'm scrambling to work her. That's not as big of an issue as the hour drive home afterwards with a sleepy fussy baby who's bedtime is 8.
The days are longer now, so that helps, and my dad is going to start pulling her up and getting her fed for me, (bless his heart, I bet he thought that went out with high school rodeo, LOL)! I guess my question is anybody have ideas on making it easier? I always kept her up during the day, out at night before but I have to rely on Mr. Old grumpy (and busy) cowboy to bring her up & keep her hayed and that's a slight speed bump, but I'm softening him hahaha!
I have called around, (and trust me, I'll keep calling), looking for anyone with some extra space in our town but it's not as rural an area so it's a little difficult to find someone with extra pasture space. Any opinions or advice, or even an, "I do the same thing, suck it up, buttercup," Is appreciated!
A new interesting option: There's a young high school girl, very sweet, responsible girl, great little rider, that lives just down the road and asked if she could ride her for me to help tune her back up (she just wants experience with as many horses as possible), and I have to say, it doesn't sound bad! Heck, I did the same things for people in high school... that's definitely helpful for the legging up stage, especially for days I just can't make it out there! It just feels... WRONG... to let someone else do the work...?
Edited by rach.k 2015-03-24 2:23 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1543
  
Location: MI | Congrats on your babe, and your husband's new job!
It gets busy with babies, horses, and work, it just does. I don't have any magical words, but just some encouragement from a been there, done that (doing that :) mom. Mine have survived being turned out 24/7 (with shelter) and come up daily for grain. They get ridden 3-4 times a week, I work walk/trot/canter and transitions for 10 minutes 1-2x/wk in the round pen (the evil of all evils, I've heard, lol!). Just got to find what works for you, your family, and your horse.
You'll probably find someplace closer...and then something else will change, lol! Live with families requires rolling flexibility. I find keeping that in mind helps keep me sane :) | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| I feel your pain! No tiny human here, but a similar situation with the horses. I took a new job the end of August and moved down to Aberdeen mid-September - about 45 minutes from my parents' place where my horse has lived forever. I left him up there through the fall and winter, drove back and forth to ride during the fall and just let him be turned out to be a horse for the winter.
I finally sat down and penciled out what I would be spending on gas alone (not to mention my time) driving back and forth to condition him this spring versus what it would cost to board him. I drive a little car that gets 25-30 mpg, and it's still cheaper to pay $150/month for board. I lucked out and found a place between home and my office where the guy will throw hay for me in the morning so I can stay clean for work :) I would keep looking for a place a little closer! And definitely pencil the numbers out, as far as what you're spending on gas and time driving back and forth. I figured if I'm riding 5 days a week and lowball what my time is worth at $10/hr, I'm saving $75 a week just in my time spent driving (45 minutes there, 45 minutes home). | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 307
Location: Florida | Thank you both! It helps just to know I'm not the only one running in circles sometimes (no barrel racing pun intended haha).
I will definitely keep looking for a place to board! Really, when it comes down to it, we now have a pretty small yard and everything so trailer and all stays at my dad's, I get great gas mileage as well, so although it's not ideal it'll work in the meantime! My mare is so FAT and sassy from her 9 month vacation I don't think I'll even exhibition for another 2 months!
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 Unknown Drip
Posts: 5624
Location: Back in MT BABY!!! | Any chance at moving back to where your horses & work are and the hubby commuting to work? | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 307
Location: Florida | babiemox - 2015-03-24 12:04 PM
Any chance at moving back to where your horses & work are and the hubby commuting to work?
He's on call every 3rd week (usually more like every other week, really with the FL summer storms coming up), so we have to live within 30 minutes of their headquarters. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 106
| I have a toddler ( 19 month old little boy) and I am married to a farmer. In the summer with hay season I am pretty much a single parent. We have 6 horses...2 barrel horses, 2 roping horses, and 2 decrepit yard ornaments. here is my schedule...
5:30-6:00 am treadmill ( you can only claim baby weight for so long haha)
6:00-7:30 shower, get ready for work, & and if I'm lucky spend 10-15 minutes to myself
7:30 Grandma/MIL comes to babysit at my house ( yes I am super super lucky here)
8:00-5:00 work work work
5:00-5:30 leave office
5:30-6:00 home, say bye to grandma/MIL
6:00-7:15ish barn, feed, exercise as best I can
7:15 cook supper and play with the dumpling
7:45-8:30 eat supper
8:30 bath time ( daddy does this as much as he can)
8:30-9:00 bedtime
9:00-10:00/30ish clean up the kitchen, straighten the house, pull out meat for the next days dinner to thaw out.
10:00-10:30/45 bed
you have to make yourself a schedule..for me sometimes having it written out helps me stay in line..and its not a Nazi schedule but it helps me stay organized. I also create a monthly schedule for dinner so I only grocery shop 1x a month...just pick up milk and bread on the way home occasionally.
I physically ride as much as I can but mostly I pony them off the four wheeler so that I can take my son with me in the fields. I try to exercise them at least three days a week. I'm doing the best I can for the moment and that will have to be enough for now. I tell myself that anyway bc it keeps me sane and helps me not to feel like a failure when I cant get it all done like I think I should.
I also have a lady that cleans my house every 2 weeks and I only wash clothes and spot clean as needed on Sundays.
It does get better btw...you just have to face the realization that you have to compromise and prioritize as best you can and let the rest of it go.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| rach.k - 2015-03-24 9:20 AM
A new interesting option: There's a young high school girl, very sweet, responsible girl, great little rider, that lives just down the road and asked if she could ride her for me to help tune her back up (she just wants experience with as many horses as possible), and I have to say, it doesn't sound bad! Heck, I did the same things for people in high school... that's definitely helpful for the legging up stage, especially for days I just can't make it out there! It just feels... WRONG... to let someone else do the work...?
If you trust her and she is a good rider, I don't see any problem with that! I rode a friend's mare last summer to get her legged back up, because she flat out didn't have time. There are only so many hours in the day :) | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| Wishful - 2015-03-24 12:24 PM
I have a toddler ( 19 month old little boy) and I am married to a farmer. In the summer with hay season I am pretty much a single parent. We have 6 horses...2 barrel horses, 2 roping horses, and 2 decrepit yard ornaments. here is my schedule...
5:30-6:00 am treadmill ( you can only claim baby weight for so long haha)
6:00-7:30 shower, get ready for work, & and if I'm lucky spend 10-15 minutes to myself
7:30 Grandma/MIL comes to babysit at my house ( yes I am super super lucky here)
8:00-5:00 work work work
5:00-5:30 leave office
5:30-6:00 home, say bye to grandma/MIL
6:00-7:15ish barn, feed, exercise as best I can
7:15 cook supper and play with the dumpling
7:45-8:30 eat supper
8:30 bath time ( daddy does this as much as he can)
8:30-9:00 bedtime
9:00-10:00/30ish clean up the kitchen, straighten the house, pull out meat for the next days dinner to thaw out.
10:00-10:30/45 bed
you have to make yourself a schedule..for me sometimes having it written out helps me stay in line..and its not a Nazi schedule but it helps me stay organized. I also create a monthly schedule for dinner so I only grocery shop 1x a month...just pick up milk and bread on the way home occasionally.
I physically ride as much as I can but mostly I pony them off the four wheeler so that I can take my son with me in the fields. I try to exercise them at least three days a week. I'm doing the best I can for the moment and that will have to be enough for now. I tell myself that anyway bc it keeps me sane and helps me not to feel like a failure when I cant get it all done like I think I should.
I also have a lady that cleans my house every 2 weeks and I only wash clothes and spot clean as needed on Sundays.
It does get better btw...you just have to face the realization that you have to compromise and prioritize as best you can and let the rest of it go.
Omg this is great! I am in the same boat...new baby, 3 horses to work (one of them a 3 year old colt) and not enough time to do everything. I am definitely going to make a schedule!  And to the OP: don't think you are alone...just this morning I was bawling because I never seem to have time to do anything and was thinking that I should sell my colt (and NFR dreams.) | |
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Expert
Posts: 1207
| OMG!! After reading this, I feel really really lazy. I don't have a little one (64 years old, past that) I work outside of the office and my other half is on the road 90% of the time so most of the up-keep around the place I do as best I can. I have 3 horses, 2 barrel horses (which I haven't road in about 2 years as I had to go back to work) and a 25 year old retired gelding. I can hardly do any riding. I have GOT to get motivated after reading this. YOU GO GIRL!! | |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Just wanted to add to your comment about feeling guilty letting someone else do the work. The best advice I got as a new parent was to "treat yourself" everyday, whether it is a quiet cup of coffee that you really don't have time for or taking a nap while the laundry waits. Maybe your treat is getting help with your horses, do not feel guilty, your situation has changed and you need to do what makes it work for how things are now. Reward yourself for all your hard work. I was a SAHM, had 4 in 4 years and would have just been paying the babysitter and not clearing any $$. I can't imagine how tough it is to work all day and come home and take care of kids and horses - pay for help! | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 307
Location: Florida | rodeomom3 - 2015-03-24 6:21 PM
Just wanted to add to your comment about feeling guilty letting someone else do the work. The best advice I got as a new parent was to "treat yourself" everyday, whether it is a quiet cup of coffee that you really don't have time for or taking a nap while the laundry waits. Maybe your treat is getting help with your horses, do not feel guilty, your situation has changed and you need to do what makes it work for how things are now. Reward yourself for all your hard work. I was a SAHM, had 4 in 4 years and would have just been paying the babysitter and not clearing any $$. I can't imagine how tough it is to work all day and come home and take care of kids and horses - pay for help!
Thank you... I struggle a lot with trying to be "super mom/wife" and do it all... Not to go Dr. Phil, but that means a lot. Somehow helps me not feel so guilty to relieve that pressure and still do what I love! | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1718
Location: Southeast Louisiana | Wishful - 2015-03-24 2:24 PM
I have a toddler ( 19 month old little boy) and I am married to a farmer. In the summer with hay season I am pretty much a single parent. We have 6 horses...2 barrel horses, 2 roping horses, and 2 decrepit yard ornaments. here is my schedule...
5:30-6:00 am treadmill ( you can only claim baby weight for so long haha)
6:00-7:30 shower, get ready for work, & and if I'm lucky spend 10-15 minutes to myself
7:30 Grandma/MIL comes to babysit at my house ( yes I am super super lucky here)
8:00-5:00 work work work
5:00-5:30 leave office
5:30-6:00 home, say bye to grandma/MIL
6:00-7:15ish barn, feed, exercise as best I can
7:15 cook supper and play with the dumpling
7:45-8:30 eat supper
8:30 bath time ( daddy does this as much as he can)
8:30-9:00 bedtime
9:00-10:00/30ish clean up the kitchen, straighten the house, pull out meat for the next days dinner to thaw out.
10:00-10:30/45 bed
you have to make yourself a schedule..for me sometimes having it written out helps me stay in line..and its not a Nazi schedule but it helps me stay organized. I also create a monthly schedule for dinner so I only grocery shop 1x a month...just pick up milk and bread on the way home occasionally.
I physically ride as much as I can but mostly I pony them off the four wheeler so that I can take my son with me in the fields. I try to exercise them at least three days a week. I'm doing the best I can for the moment and that will have to be enough for now. I tell myself that anyway bc it keeps me sane and helps me not to feel like a failure when I cant get it all done like I think I should.
I also have a lady that cleans my house every 2 weeks and I only wash clothes and spot clean as needed on Sundays.
It does get better btw...you just have to face the realization that you have to compromise and prioritize as best you can and let the rest of it go.
Wow! ...you're my hero, lol. You get more done in a day than I seem to get done in a week lately.
I have an eight month old and I can't get back to riding consistently. Your post gives me hope that I'll be able to take the little guy with me on the four wheeler to go pony the horses soon.
To the OP, I wouldn't feel guilty at all! If I could afford it, I'd totally let someone else do ALL the work and just go to barrel races on the weekends. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 307
Location: Florida | Wishful - 2015-03-24 3:24 PM
I have a toddler ( 19 month old little boy) and I am married to a farmer. In the summer with hay season I am pretty much a single parent. We have 6 horses...2 barrel horses, 2 roping horses, and 2 decrepit yard ornaments. here is my schedule...
5:30-6:00 am treadmill ( you can only claim baby weight for so long haha)
6:00-7:30 shower, get ready for work, & and if I'm lucky spend 10-15 minutes to myself
7:30 Grandma/MIL comes to babysit at my house ( yes I am super super lucky here)
8:00-5:00 work work work
5:00-5:30 leave office
5:30-6:00 home, say bye to grandma/MIL
6:00-7:15ish barn, feed, exercise as best I can
7:15 cook supper and play with the dumpling
7:45-8:30 eat supper
8:30 bath time ( daddy does this as much as he can)
8:30-9:00 bedtime
9:00-10:00/30ish clean up the kitchen, straighten the house, pull out meat for the next days dinner to thaw out.
10:00-10:30/45 bed
you have to make yourself a schedule..for me sometimes having it written out helps me stay in line..and its not a Nazi schedule but it helps me stay organized. I also create a monthly schedule for dinner so I only grocery shop 1x a month...just pick up milk and bread on the way home occasionally.
I physically ride as much as I can but mostly I pony them off the four wheeler so that I can take my son with me in the fields. I try to exercise them at least three days a week. I'm doing the best I can for the moment and that will have to be enough for now. I tell myself that anyway bc it keeps me sane and helps me not to feel like a failure when I cant get it all done like I think I should.
I also have a lady that cleans my house every 2 weeks and I only wash clothes and spot clean as needed on Sundays.
It does get better btw...you just have to face the realization that you have to compromise and prioritize as best you can and let the rest of it go.
Thank you! My schedule looks something like this on a normal weekday that I go ride, (I don't have anyone come in and clean, although that sounds lovely! lol):
5:45-6:30 AM- get up, have coffee while getting ready, wake up baby if she's not already (PRAISE GOD SHE SLEEPS THROUGH THE NIGHT NOW! lol), get her ready, cook her breakfast/lunch to send to school & leave the house.
6:30- 7:45 45 min. drive to where I work, drop baby off at daycare (where ALL my money goes lol), get to the clinic and start the day
8:00-5:00 (sometimes 6 or 7)- work, work, and work some more ;)
5:00- 5:30 leave clinic, pick up baby
5:30-6:00 get to dad's give him the kiddo, get them situated
6:00- 6:20 feed, brush my girl out, saddle, etc.
6:20- 7:00 ride/exercise
7:00-7:30 cool down, hose off (thanks FL heat), get my horse situated & turned out for the night
7:30-8:00 visit with dad, quick bath & change into PJs for Harper Rae (aka the baby)
8:00-9:00 drive home, sneak baby into bed
9:00-10:00 shower, wind down, get ready for bed, hang with husband
10:30- BED BED BED!!!!
On days I don't ride I cook for the family of course, on days I ride I try to have something in the crock pot ready for him :) Except days like today... on which I completely forgot to thaw anything :(
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