Adele's Antics - Balancing Horses & a Newborn
For most of your pregnancy, labour, recovery and your baby, you get what you're given. However, one little thing can completely throw your birth plan out the window. The side effects of pregnancy can leave you unable to get out of bed, and complications with your baby could have you in the hospital for much longer than you anticipated. None of this is down to something you have done and is entirely out of your hands. So it's important not to put pressure on yourself to stick to all your intentions or feel guilty for things beyond your control.
During pregnancy, I read a quote that helped me, "when things start getting tough, don't give up, just slow down." Towards the end, as it took me longer and longer to walk to the boy's field, I would repeat this to myself. I believe this attitude to slowly carrying on and remaining active all the way through hugely helped me with my recovery.
"All babies do is eat, sleep, poop repeat", you'll hear a thousand people tell you. What they don't acknowledge is how quickly you can speed through that process and that, actually, your baby might not sleep at all if you're not holding them. So if like me, you're fortunate that your body recovers quickly enough to get back on your horse two weeks post-birth, you're going to need assistance!
Before even considering riding, I made it to the yard a couple of times to see the horses. This allowed me to grow in confidence in making the journey alone with Mateo, doing our first nappy changes, as well as getting my boobs out for a feed away from home. Of course, when you're breastfeeding in the hospital and when you first get home, it isn't the well-rehearsed move you see people doing out and about. So, the first few times of trying to wiggle your boob through a zip in your top to feed your newborn can get you a little flustered. But like with those canter transitions, practice makes perfect or improves it and makes you more relaxed when performing it, at least!
Now only ten weeks after having Mateo, I'm fortunate to be back to regular lessons, schooling and jumping. I arrive in plenty of time before my lessons to feed Mateo before I get on, hoping that will allow him to last whilst I ride. Again all those "eat, sleep, poo, repeat" voices neglect to mention newborns feed on demand; they are on no such schedule to work around your riding! Once he's fed, happily full and hopefully sleepy, I hand him over to a friend or the family member I've persuaded to join me at the yard. I'm very fortunate that the yard has a little judge's box at C for them and Mateo to watch me ride, with shelter from the sun or rain. Then, if Mateo does decide he needs another feed before I've finished, I can hop off and feed him again, although so far, I haven't had to; this is the reason I'm not really hacking much or far at the moment. The fear he might need a feed when I'm halfway around the next village keeps me close to home, but I'm fortunate my sharer and yard friends have been hacking lots for me.
On the days I'm flying solo at the yard, I have mastered the art of lunging with Mateo in a carrier. He falls asleep every time, and it's basically a free gym class while squatting with him on my chest while putting Louie's boots on! However, I do have to remind myself that most people love babies, so if I don't have anyone with me, I don't have to do it all alone. Many people are over the moon if you ask them to hold the baby for a couple of minutes whilst you quickly grab your saddle or put your boots on.
Although having a baby changes your life entirely and your time at the yard isn't the same as it was, having children doesn't have to mean you'll never ride again! I have booked myself (and Mateo) into an event camp in August and hope to get to a show in 4-5 weeks. Yes, I am reliant on friends and family for support, but I'm so grateful to have horse time still whilst being a new Mum.
Adele & Mateo x
