Can I lunge my pregnant mare?

[apkelly01]

Hi,
I'm new to the list and I need some advice. My mare is currently 4 1\2 months pregnant. I'm riding her and have been told I can ride her up to six months, but I'm wondering, can I lunge her after this. She's 12 yrs old and this is her first foal (and mine!). She's in good health and took first time. I'd like to keep her excercised, but people are telling me to put her out to grass. I'm afraid to do this as she bloats just looking at grass. What should I do? Thanks in advance, Aileen

 

[emmajanerushton]

i wouldnt do too much with her be nice to let her down and relax, BUT dont let her get to fat, as easier to foal when fit not fat, ride dently upto 6 months then i would just lead in hand and let her rest. As fo bloating try putting her out as she will need extra grass etc during pregnancy and cut down any hard feed.

 

[AmyMay]

I certainly wouldn't. Ride her quietly for another month or so if you wish. Mine is in the field enjoying her pregnancy and her friends.

 

[Faithkat]

Mine too (except she's on her own!) but she won't get fat as she spends quite a bit of time galloping around and exercising herself (I have to go round divot stomping, it looks like a polo field!!)

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
Mine too (except she's on her own!) but she won't get fat as she spends quite a bit of time galloping around and exercising herself (I have to go round divot stomping, it looks like a polo field!!)

[/ QUOTE ]
No mates?

Poor ponio.

 

[burtie]

Well I rode my mare up to about 8 1/2 months and she was fine, is there a specific reason why you have been told not ride your mare after 6 months? Equally if she is used to lunging and not one to go silly I can't see why not. It is best to let her down a bit in the final few months before folaing so just don't overdo anything.

 

[Skhosu]

I wouldn't. She will need to extra grass for the foal.
I think 6mnths is the recomended for foaling, but we all know those (josie!) who hae ridden up til the foal by accident or design.
Would definitely say no lungeing.

 

[miss_bird]

I rode my mare up until 8 months, then walked inhand to keep her slightly exercised, if she is quiet on the lunge i would say walking on a long lunge would be fine to keep her ticking over. my vet said when i foal my first horse years ago the fitter the horse the less stress on the muscles when she is foaling, so i have always kept my mare gently ticking over, to keep a bit of muscle on them

 

[Faithkat]

Ah, it's a long story but rather her on her own that getting kicked like happened last year (horse PTS almost exactly a year ago). I have thought about a paddock companion but I'm going away for nearly 5 weeks at the beginning of December (she's going to a friend's) and by the time she comes back it will nearly be time for her to go back to the stud for foaling

 

[GTs]

After 6 months the horse should stand facing down hill and do nothing more.

 

[burtie]

[ QUOTE ]
After 6 months the horse should stand facing down hill and do nothing more.


[/ QUOTE ]

Perhaps I should go join her?

 

[Faithkat]

I'd have thought facing uphill would be better . . . . gravity-assisted foaling??????

 

[Skhosu]

lol, is it you forester who has the mare not yet foaled?(just out of interest, waiting for 'that' post that says its arrived!)

 

[Faithkat]

Yep, she's due on 15th April (if it comes on that day I think I'll call it Titanic, * Titanic sank on 15th April* or maybe Carpathia as my Dad worked for Cunard!!!)

 

[Tia]

Hello and welcome.

It is each to their own but I wouldn't lunge a pregnant mare.....but then I rarely lunge any horse LOL!! I have a passionate dislike of lunging.

I always ride in-foal mares pretty much right up to birth; gently obviously. This was policy of the Danish Warmblood stud I used to manage and they sure got it right - by riding them it facilitates a far easier birthing if the mare is fit and it also helps her get back in shape quickly afterwards.

Perhaps your vet has reason to suggest you not ride after 6 months though? Problems with the mare?

 

[GTs]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd have thought facing uphill would be better . . . . gravity-assisted foaling??????

[/ QUOTE ]

No you do not want the foal out early - premature foals rarely survive.

 

[apkelly01]

Hi,
Thanks to all who replied and sharing your experiences. Personally, I would like to keep her ticking over, keep her moving, but I'm just afraid I'll be doing her damage. Currently I'm riding (walk and trot) around the gallops - approx 4km - 4-6 times a week. If I put her in the field, she's not the type to go ripping around - she's more like an industrial grass hoover, so I can't trust she'll exercise herself! As for health, she's fairly healthy, touch wood, in the 7 years I've had her I can count the amount of times I've had to call out the vet on one hand - she's a typical Irish Draught, very rarely sick or lame. She's due mid May and she will be going out to grass in the beginning of May (that's for definite). My thinking is that the extra weight of a grass belly will put extra strain on her?? The vet told me to stop riding at 6 months as a general guide - not just for my horse. I just think it's crazy to have her idle for 4 months. Surely if she was in the wild she'd be far more active.....aaahhh! What to do????

Thanks again,
Aileen

 

[Clodagh]

I'd ride as long as you can get the saddle on and your legs around her! Maybe not a days hunting but a pootle shouldn't hurt.

Speaking from experience - I worked up until birth and it was over in minutes...the mums I know who sat on their butts had a nightmare!

As you say, in the wild they'd keep moving!

 

[pameustace]

I took my mare out on long lines right up to the day before she foaled' she foaled in the field on her own no problem read an article the other day when the chap said as soon as the mare thought about foaling he gave her something to do' ie work' bit drastic but I think the fitter they are the better they foal ps don't lunge either think it is very boreing for the horse and me

 

[apkelly01]

Hi,
Thanks again to all who replied. After reading all of the replies I can now feel more confident about keeping her exercised. It kinda makes sense that a fit mare would have more advantages over an unfit one. I won't be galloping her about, but I'll take her handy. I'm lucky the gallops don't freeze up much over the winter so we can continue doing a few laps of them. They say a horse uses more muscles in walk anyway

. I'll play it by ear with riding her. If I feel she's struggling, I'll just walk her out in hand (and then we'll see who walks who!). Thanks again, all of your replies have been very helpful,

Warm regards,
Aileen