Horses and pregnancy

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_Hannah_

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I'm posting this on behalf of my sister who is 25 and expecting her first child (fingers crossed for a girl :D) She's only about 2 months pregnant, but is wondering when is a sensible time to stop riding and doing all the horsey stuff she'd usually do. Also how long was it before you all got back in the saddle after giving birth?
 
I have four children aged between 2 and 9 years, I rode until I couldn't get on or off properly! I was just hacking and schooling though, no jumping once I was showing.

After I had my youngest I was back riding after 5 days. It really is a very individual thing though, some people don't ride at all, some carry on as normal. I'm sure Mary King was still eventing at 5 months!!
 
Hi, i rode till it was uncomfortable and unejoable about 71/2 months although on nothing lively or there was a chance i would come off, the last time i mucked out was the day before i went in to be induced 2 weeks late!!!!
I got back in the saddle when it wasnt sore to sit down anymore!! LOL.
I think the best thing is to see what your body is comfortable it will soon tell you when enough is enough!!!! Congratulation on been an aunty too!!:D
 
im currently 4 and hyalf month pregnant with my second and still riding (nothing silly tho). im still mucking out etc. i was actually mucking out when i was in slow labour with my first lol. i asked the midwife about riding mucking out etc and she told me as long as i wasnt doing anything that my body wasnt used to i should be fine.
 
If it were me Id stop once i started to show, or just do very gentle schooling. No matter how much I trust the horse Id rather stop riding for a few months than risk something happning to the baby if i fell off or was kicked/barged by a horse.
 
Im currently 3 months pregnant and have stopped riding. luckily my other half rides
I was advised by my midwife (and 2 friends who are student midwives) to stop ride, 1 because all mine are below 5 and still a little inpredictable at times, and secondly because horse riders have thick periniums which makes for a much harder labour, and after my last labour 9 months off is worth not going through something as difficult as that again!

Guess its just down to personal preference, and how much trust you have in your horse x
 
Hi
Good luck to your sister, I have to say I had c. sections with both my two at 8 and 1/2 months and I had been riding 5 horses a day until a couple of days before, I was told by my midwife that as long as I had been doing it before there was no reason I should not do it whilst pregnant and that was about half of what I would've done usually as for after I was told not to ride for about 6-8 weeks with the first it was 18 days and the 2nd it was 12 days.However I have to say I was absolutley determined that it was business as usual and with 16 horses in I would not of had it any other way plus it meant I stayed in shape I did take someone on in the last few months to do the babies that were a bit less predictable but I think if you go at your own pace your body will tell you when you need to rest.

xxx tms
 
I rode up until 8 months pregnant with my first daughter. It was only on my tried and tested pony of many years who I knew and trusted. As soon as I knew I was pregnant I sold my loopy Arab to my sister-in-law as there's no way I could have trusted him in my condition! Everyone's individual so there are no hard and fast rules. Take care, listen to your body and know when to call it quits if things start to feel uncomfortable. Same on the other side. If you're feeling fighting fit a week after giving birth, then why not? No prizes for being a hero, so if it takes several weeks/months, that's fine too!
 
Its down to how she feels.
I rode the whole way though mine, even did a xc at 8months, but i wont do that again now im older and more sensible ;)
I found the general hosey tasks ok, but no carrying water buckets, deep littered the bedding, hay'd from the floor all to make it a little easier. picking out feet is the only thing that i think i needed help with, as bending over even with a very well behaved horse was like mission impossible!

I got back on after 3days, no stiches or problems though giving birth and i didnt feel to sore so thought why not?

The baby will tell your sisiter how much to do and she shouldnt push her self, im a little stubbon and should of taken more help then i did, people honestly dont mind. I think now if i had another and people come over (they do, in there droves and stay for ages) ill be telling them to make there own cuppa, wash up there own things. After all they are the ones who will be keeping you up (you need lots of sleep once little one comes) waiting for the baby to wake so they can have a cuddle.
Bewarned family, bewarned-next time you will not have it all so easy, ive already got a list

Ironing-mum
hoovering-dad
dusting-big bro

HAHA
 
I stopped at 5 months as i got thrown, totally not his fault, horse in front bolted and he got scared, i was to frightened after that, just in case even tho i trusted him 100%.
 
I'm 4 months pregnant and I stopped riding immediatly when I found out. But I do own a 4 year old and it was largely because my Husband asked me too.
I have actually just sold my mare as I don't feel it is fair to not keep her going whilst pregnant and will look to buy something older and quieter when baby is born as I don't really want to compete or event any more, and don't think I'll give her the time she deserves.

Each to their own though - it is a very personal choice. My only warning is non-horsey people can be very judgemental about riding when pregnant as they don't really understand the risks and non-risks!
 
I had my son last October I rode up until about 7 months, I lunged and mucked out until I was a week overdue. My horse is super predictable and donkey like and I felt really comfortable riding. Unfortunately had a truly crappy birth and ended up having a C-section which meant no more riding for 8 weeks rubbish, rode after 6 but it was a gradual process, glad I made the most of it before the birth!
 
Sunny 08 - you are so right about non riders not understanding. I am only 4mth pregnant and the talk of the village because i continue to ride (if you can call it that as only hacking on roads - gave up competition riding as mare went lame:( ). have had to resort to legging though as jodphurs too tight around waist - would be great if you could buy maternity style ones, even just to wear around horses doing the daily jobs, once my daily hacks cease.

Horses though are unpredictable and i think you should consider the consequences if you are to fall - how would you feel if your baby was harmed?? i got a spook yesterday and was as able as ever at siting tight - once i begin to feel unbalanced i will quit till the baby arrives!
 
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