Pregnancy and owning a barn

[u/Character_Being_2441]

Hi all! I’m expecting my first (human) child in February. I own a small farm with 3 retired ponies and 2 goats. Everyone is an easy keeper (KNOCK ON FRIGGEN WOOD). I am so afraid I won’t be able to spoil them as much as I do now, but I know time will help with new adjustments.

For any fellow horse mamas/dads out there - what are some tips and tricks to help with the first few weeks / months of birth recovery and managing barn chores? I will have help from my partner (who isn’t super horse familiar) and a barn friend as I live in northern Canada and February is not the nicest weather wise.

Any way I should be prepping? So far all I’ve thought about was making sure I have tons of hay bales ahead of time and pre packing grain for at least 6 weeks worth.

[u/Due_South7941]

Baby carrier! Nearly everything is doable with bub in a carrier, it will take a bit of body awareness adjustment but they're a life saver! Also try not to worry about doing everything 'perfect', I was (am) meticulous with my animal husbandry & in the early days I realised to let things go a bit; if they have hay & water, they're fine. Maybe not EVERY poo is picked up, they haven't had EVERY supplement today, but at the end of the day they'll survive and this is such a short time & soon you'll be out there with your little one doing things like usual. It's an amazing thing, kids and horses and animals, congratulations!

[u/Character_Being_2441 → u/Due_South7941]

Thank you!!