i think the time has come...

[Bowen4Horses]

... i think it's almost time to hang up my jods and stirrups and admit that i'm getting too fat to ride.

i'm 24weeks pregnant. thought i'd be able to ride for longer, but find i get soooo out of breath as my horse is quite hard work (in a ploddy way!)

i might take him out for a walk-only hack this weekend and see how that goes (trotting is not comfy...). but i suspect i've only got one or two weeks of slow hacking ahead. it's my third kid, and the last one was c-section. i just think my tummy muscles aren't supporting the bump very well!

now... i have a dilemma. do i rest him for 4 months? or find someone to come and ride him? the thought of someone else riding him makes my heart ache... am i completely awful? or do i lunge him twice a week and get my novice 12 yr old to ride him once a week?

oooh, decisions...

 

[lovecharles]

awww, it'll make getting back on after even more special!

and i'd go with the last option.

 

[happyhack]

Try to persuade your 12 YO to ride him. Failing that, give him to me til you pop! I'll plod him out a few times a week for you!

I cant wait to start having children! (I'm 24 and have decided to start trying aged 27)

 

[Bowen4Horses]

[ QUOTE ]
Try to persuade your 12 YO to ride him. Failing that, give him to me til you pop! I'll plod him out a few times a week for you!

I cant wait to start having children! (I'm 24 and have decided to start trying aged 27)

[/ QUOTE ]

my 12 yr old won't need persuading... however, i'm worried because he's so novice... and gives random signals (horsey walks backwards for him, as he somehow gives the rein back command for 'walk on'...)

perhaps i'll get an experienced friend to ride him sometimes too. hmmm.

 

[SnowandSunshine]

oooh, I'm with you! I'm 26 weeks and have only been walking out on my old mare for the past few weeks. Trotting was just too uncomfortable.

The worst bit is getting on again if you have to get off. Have to grab my dog occasionally if there are other dogs on leads about and scrambling back on with no tummy muscles is no easy task!

I turned my gelding away a couple of months back cos he's a bit too sharp to be riding with a bump - he's more than happy stuffing his face in the field!

 

[JLD]

am in similar place, I am 20 weeks only hacking in walk and little trots ( not sitting - little bump only but bounces ) thinking can keep going another 4 -6 weeks . word of advice though mine is very ploddy too and thinks lunging is something we do together - ie he'll only run if I do and I found running more uncomfortable than riding ! i'm caught between letting him just potter and getting OH to lunge once a week and maybe ride once a week with a lesson every 2 weeks with my instructor to keep them on the straight and narrow and finding some one to ride him but he is my boy and i'm so fussy about what people can and cant do with him I think i'll struggle. He is up for 4 months off with fuss and cuddles but is already getting naughty on the ground and making his own entertainment - so is not helping his cause.

 

[MrsMozart]

I'd turn away and let him just chill out (I'm a big fan of horses having some time off - shoes off, allowed to grow shaggy, heels up and away

).

Apart from the ned enjoying, you'll be able to relax and spend some time with kiddies, etc.