How long is too long?

[Iceni]

Hello all,

Need a bit of advice! I'm 37 weeks pregnant and despite having thought I'd keep riding for the first few months, I had the most ucky morning sickness, so had to quit riding my pony very early on. I'm now thinking ahead to a couple of months down the line when I can hopefully start back in the saddle. My question is what is my usually sensible, but forward going, 10 year old cob x Dales going to be like having had such a long holiday (will be pretty much a year out of work)? Obviously she'll need starting off slowly again, but that will suit me from a muscle and confidence point of view, but will she be difficult if she's out of the habit of having someone on her back? How long can most sane horses go and then accept a rider again without issue and playing up?

 

[Tickles]

Another factor to consider is that you'll start getting heavier and also carrying yourself differently due to the shape change. So, it won't be like 'you' getting back on her after that amount of time. She will feel like it is a new rider (although obviously she knows you are still you). If she is very used to only one rider then you might want to consider if 'pregnant-you' is the best person to be her first new rider in a while if you see what I mean.

As you're likely to be busy when the baby comes perhaps consider getting a sharer or turning away for a year or so?

 

[Iceni]

Thanks Tickles, hoping I'll have lost quite a lot of the weight when the baby is born as I've not put on too much, but understand and agree with what you saying! Certainly my riding muscle tone will not be there. I would however like to get back to riding when I can have a bit of me time (our office is within the house and my husband says he's happy to give me some cover during the day and wants me to have an interest outside of baby and home!) so I get out and about and it helps me regain my fitness.

I have been warned I will be more cautious after having a baby and that's why I don't want to get on myself if she's likely to play up!