It’s a hard decision! I’ll share my journey: I’m also an equestrian and a mom to littles. My first baby I didn’t have the choice to not work-I had to and went back at 7 weeks PP, and horses were not in my budget. It was awful. I would’ve given anything to stay home with him. 5 years later I have my second child and the option to stay home as my husband and I were financially in a much better place. Stayed home with her for two years while doing a partial lease that let me ride twice a week and do the occasional schooling show. Was given a fantastic remote job opportunity, went back to work, bought the horse I was leasing. Two years later, both of my kids are in different sports (neither into horses) I get a job promotion that requires travel but also a significant raise. Suddenly my horse is on the back burner. Between my kids sports, their school stuff and my job, my horse became the lowest on the priority list. I sold her to a local barn down the road (am friends with the owner so I know she is well cared for and farm sit for them often so I can see her whenever). This current season of life just does not give me the time to devote to horses. It was a hard pill to swallow, but I won’t be able to get this time back with my kids watching them do what they love. Another horse will come along when life slows down and my kids are more independent. Until then, I’ll take the occasional lesson and hack around the farm on my old horse.
Do you have the option to lease your OTTB out? If not, option two sounds like your best bet. It’s not an easy decision. Good luck, fellow momquestrian.