Being pregnant and around horses right or wrong?

[nic369]

I am taking my intermediate teaching exam in July and would also like to try for my second child. I am an experienced rider and rode in my first pregnancy with the blessing of my doctor, I stopped when it was uncomfortable. The BHS will not allow me to take part in the exam if I get pregnant even though it is not a ridden exam and lose my exam fee of £220. I also don't see why I should put my life on hold. I understand the risks working with horses daily in an international sj yard and teaching clients, but I believe it to be at the individuals discretion what they do when they are pregnant and also do not believe it is a disability. What do you think?

 

[horsegirl]

can't vote yet. I would put stay around horses although I wouldn't ride if I were pregnant as I don't believe it is worth the risk. Even the steadiest horse can spook or the best rider fall off.

 

[the watcher]

Couldn't vote

I think it depends on the individual. I carried on, didn't tell my employer until I was 3 months and my clothes were getting tight - and I was in a VERY physical job at the time. I rode up to 8 months, and only stopped because the bump was huge and I had to fling myself off the horse to dismount (didn't jump, hunt or do anything I considered to be high risk though)

equally respect anybody who decides to take no risks and put themselves and their baby first. They are very precious and every one is a little miracle so for others that might be the right way to go.

i would never consider pregnancy to be a disability though, unless there were other medical factors

 

[Ravenwood]

I rode when I was pregnant (hubby not too keen though!). However I imagine the BHS are thinking about their insurance and liability claims if you did have an accident. Its probably just a standard precaution.

 

[The Original Kao]

my old boss rode racehorses when she was pregnant up till she was 6 months and her hips softened. mary thomson rode at 3 day events pregnant. i think it should be up to personal choice. as for the BHS guess their insurance wouldn't cover them if a pregnant women was hurt during an exam so can see there point. not sure i would let a pregnant woman ride my horse even tho he's quiet, as if anything happened i'd be devastated. if it was just ure own horse then i'd vote yes. if i was pregnant i'd still ride. not sure if my bloke would be too happy, but i wouldn't be doing any jumping or higher risk stuff.

 

[Como]

In the first half of pregnancy I believe that being around horses and riding is fine, the baby is well protected within the pelvis as it is so small. My midwife advised that I could carry on riding, I'm 4 months now, but to be aware of my balance being affected later on and as you get bigger the baby is less protected by the pelvis so there are risks if you get kicked or fall. I can't see why the BHS would have a problem with a woman who is up to 5 months pregnant, but maybe later on the risk of injury if there is an accident is greater.

 

[claireross]

I can't see a problem being around horses whilst pregnant, although I rode a few times once I knew I was pregnant, I hated it. All I could think was what happens if the horse trips and falls, so in the end I stopped.

I did start riding 2weeks after giving birth though

 

[Alibear]

I think it's up to the women but also in these sue everyone days I can fully understand the BHS's stance and agree with it.


For what it's worth I rode when I was pregnant with my first child up to about 8 months but like the_watcher had to stop when it was too difficult to dismount.

 

[RLF]

A woman i know rode up until around 8 months pregnant, took the horse in the river, horse slipped and fell, horse scrambled and kicked her just below baby area. This was a very safe happy hacker too. Although i think it was very stupid to go in the river I personally wouldn't give up riding while pregnant, as long as its not jumping and XC.

 

[michb52]

Just out of interest did you compete or was it just hacking schooling at home?
OH is mad keen to start a family and its not that i dont want to but i just dont want to loose out on my horse! Call me selfish but i know deep down thats whats putting me off!

 

[the watcher]

I restricted myself to hacking and flatwork schooling, had a friend who took the horse to a few competitions while I was not doing so much so the horse didn't miss out. I was poo picking and mucking out until the day I went into hospital

 

[Alibear]

tat unsual at 3 months I completed my one and only 3ft 9 ODE which we had been trainin for before I fell pregnant. From then on I stuck to hacking and eventually just walking out.

 

[ihatework]

How on earth are the BHS to know you are pregnant, if in early stages?
If it were me I just wouldn't tell them

 

[JACQSZOO]

I rode till I was ooooooooo about 8 1/2 months - but then I did'nt know I was pregnant and didnt show till I found out. I did all the things your not supposed to do and actually found it very frustrating when I did find out because all of a sudden my family and friends became extremely over protective and would not let me do the things I had been doing the day before!

 

[seaview]

Mich I keep telling you,
A few months off when you are pregnant then once baby is born we call in Daffers

You could ahck Bonnie and then get E to jump her lol!!!

Nat
x

 

[michb52]

Get you back to your statements and never mind me having babies!!!!

 

[michb52]

See this is my point! My OH and family are non horsey and as soon as i was confirmed pregnant would have me sitting at home and banned from looking at the horse never mind riding her!
I joke with Seaview that i actually might not tell anyone untill i really really have to!
Its not that i'm ging to be stupid and risk anything and i know that accidents do happen but i would like it to be my choice iukwim?
My mum and dad are horsey and would be more supportive (think at this stage mum would agree with whatever i wanted to get a grandchild tbh!!!!)
Have told the OH that i am more than happy to adopt a 2/3 yr old as they are old enough to go to the toilet themselves and can sit on a pony!!!!!

 

[katiejaye]

can't comment at the moment but my hubby wants a baby and has said that he doesn't want me riding when I'm pregnant fullstop! He said that why would I want to take any type of risk at all that I could fall and lose a baby...I see his point as although it's my body, it's would be our baby so he should have a say too. I said I would compromise and stop riding at 3/4 months.

 

[annaellie]

Just to add its not just pregancy that makes an issue its after you have had them as well, I was offered a position on a dressage yard but as soon as i told the lady i had a 5 year old she said she could no longer offer me the posiotion as it was not practical even though i explained i had worked full time since she was 4 weeks old and as my refrences said i had an excellent attenedance and time keeping record and was fully comitted to my job

 

[JACQSZOO]

[ QUOTE ]
can't comment at the moment but my hubby wants a baby and has said that he doesn't want me riding when I'm pregnant fullstop! He said that why would I want to take any type of risk at all that I could fall and lose a baby...I see his point as although it's my body, it's would be our baby so he should have a say too. I said I would compromise and stop riding at 3/4 months.

[/ QUOTE ]

In that case perhaps it would be wise to stay in bed for the full 9 months! You could fall over crossing the street, walking down the stairs all sorts of things!

Your pregnant - it is not a terminal illness.

 

[the watcher]

Grrr...that is soooo a breach of discrimination laws

 

[nic369]

Couple of points to reply to: the BHS would not know so I could keep quiet but it is a principle thing as it is a TEACHING EXAM. I do not know of anyone hurt whilst teaching.

I am probably more likely to get hurt driving but we don't stop that. I also can't see that being pregnant increases the risk of an accident!

Yes I can see their point of view as we are turning into a nanny state, which is why I am critical of this ruling.

As far as how much riding I did when I was in my first pregnancy I rode out 4 eventers in a professional yard each day till I was 6mths, evented myself up to 4 months and gave up schooling over jumps on others horses at 4 months and the reason being my doctor advised me that the risk of falling and hurting the baby at that stage of development was very tiny and I was more likely to fall off and kill myself as the baby is so deep inside and well protected, which is a risk we all take every time we get on.

Another point as far as I know and correct me if I am wrong you may RIDE in a BHS establishment whilst pregnant, yet you cannot take a TEACHING EXAM seems like it is not thoughly thought through!

 

[seaview]

Mich
You are a 100% right though.
I dont think we would be even allowed to look at them as you say!
However I cant see the two s's mucking out daily perhaps you should point that out to him! You are happy enough for one lol as long as he mucks out for you
pmsl!!!!!!
Nat
xx

 

[clipclop]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
can't comment at the moment but my hubby wants a baby and has said that he doesn't want me riding when I'm pregnant fullstop! He said that why would I want to take any type of risk at all that I could fall and lose a baby...I see his point as although it's my body, it's would be our baby so he should have a say too. I said I would compromise and stop riding at 3/4 months.

[/ QUOTE ]

In that case perhaps it would be wise to stay in bed for the full 9 months! You could fall over crossing the street, walking down the stairs all sorts of things!

Your pregnant - it is not a terminal illness.

[/ QUOTE ]

Totally agree Jacq!!

Whilst I was pregnant I didn't ride as I spent the first four months with hideous morning/all day sickness. The last thing I wanted to do was ride!! LOL.

However, I managed to trip up twice during my pregnancy! Perhaps I should have refrained from walking?

It really is up to the individual. If you sit on your horse and you are feeling very aware how vunerable you are? then get off!! If you feel safe and well then carry on.

I certainly would not allow my husband to dictate what I could and couldn't do, for me that would just be setting up trouble for the future. LOL. A discussion on the subject is fair enough. We covered all these factors before I would even consider trying for a baby.

 

[katiejaye]

yes of anything can happen in life but he feels riding is putting myself in an unecessary position of harm. It's more likely that I could fall off riding, get kicked than falling down the stairs etc. My job is very physical (i'm an archaeologist) and I don't intend to stop working or exercising, I just feel that I should respect my husband's wishes too and take some kind of precuations when it comes to riding seeing as it's not just my baby. Plus Louis is not the ploddy type, he's hyper and quite strong on hacks and while schooling is fine, Tim would probably be worried about the probability I would come off on a hack. I personally feel that I can't be selfish I just make my own decisions, it's a compromise between what I and my hubby want.

 

[clipclop]

Ah, as your horse is a bit lively I can understand your worries.

I am sure you would have come to that decision on your own. As I said above. If you cover every subject before you get pregnant it makes for a much easier life for everyone (Especially when your phsyco hormones kick in)

 

[katiejaye]

[ QUOTE ]
I certainly would not allow my husband to dictate what I could and couldn't do, for me that would just be setting up trouble for the future. LOL. A discussion on the subject is fair enough. We covered all these factors before I would even consider trying for a baby.

[/ QUOTE ]

My husband has not dictated what I should and shouldn't do, I have my own mind am very strong willed so we compromised...I can't just be selfish, it's not just MY baby. Tim's had to take me to the hospital many times over the years when I've come off and always supported me and I think he'd be worried sick about me if I was riding when heavily pregnant. It's only a few months out of my life adds to the % chance that I and the baby are safe.
Also to take into account is the fact that some people have difficulties in concieving or having children. I have my fair share of complications and have had to have surgery over the years for a condition that coukd potentially make me infertile so I think in my case I need to be extra careful.
I also think when you make a decision to get married and have kids then there has to be some compromise between what you and your hubby want.
I also agree that everyone should do what is right for them and their situation, I'm pro-choice

and would never judge or tell anyone what is right or wrong for them

 

[merlins-mum]

I think you just have to use your own judgement and don't do anything (horses or otherwise) if you are uncomfortable. Note that I don't say dangerous - IMO that's entirely up to you at any time. I rode my motorbike while pregnant (used to turn up to ante-natal appts on it and freak out the midwives), but stopped when I felt my balance was affected.

With regard to the BHS - I don't think it's any of their business. Do you have to tell them?
Being pregnant is not a disability - but it would be interesting to know if you would be 'allowed' to take the test if you were disabled in some way. Presumably if not it would be discriminatory - so what's the deal with being pregnant.

 

[katiejaye]

[ QUOTE ]
Ah, as your horse is a bit lively I can understand your worries.

I am sure you would have come to that decision on your own. As I said above. If you cover every subject before you get pregnant it makes for a much easier life for everyone (Especially when your phsyco hormones kick in)

[/ QUOTE ]

Believe me, I am not looking forward to not riding for a few months

But i'll still be up at the stables ALL the time

God I am not looking forward to those killer hormones and morning sickness

Like you say though we will cover every subject before we embark on having a baby...a life changing decision! My hubby is praying our kids aren't into horses too...I hope they are

 

[JACQSZOO]

[ QUOTE ]
yes of anything can happen in life but he feels riding is putting myself in an unecessary position of harm. It's more likely that I could fall off riding, get kicked than falling down the stairs etc. My job is very physical (i'm an archaeologist) and I don't intend to stop working or exercising, I just feel that I should respect my husband's wishes too and take some kind of precuations when it comes to riding seeing as it's not just my baby. Plus Louis is not the ploddy type, he's hyper and quite strong on hacks and while schooling is fine, Tim would probably be worried about the probability I would come off on a hack. I personally feel that I can't be selfish I just make my own decisions, it's a compromise between what I and my hubby want.

[/ QUOTE ]

Whislt yes you do have to compromise, this goes for any relationship, not because of pregnancy. It is your body and your body will dictate what you can and cannot do. The above suggests that you would not be happy to hack whilst pregnant but would be happy to school. That would be my compromise.
I am afraid that my husband would have to let me get on with what I wanted to do with my body.