Pregnancy and riding

M

mystiandsunny

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 May 2007
Messages
1,882
Location
South Buckinghamshire
Visit site
Sometime in the next year, we're thinking of beginning to try for a baby. Thing is, I've currently got 3 horses/ponies to keep exercised etc, and with my fairly horrendous job, I do need to ride for my own sanity. I appreciate that there comes a time when you can't get on any more/your balance has had it, but until then, do intend to keep going. Thing is though, I'm guessing that I should really stop jumping when I do get pregnant, as that tends to be the only time I come off! So, a couple of questions...

1. At what point in the pregnancy does the 'bump' become too big to get on/off/balance properly?
2. I was thinking of just concentrating on dressage until that point - good idea? Still wanted to compete if poss...
3. I have one older horse and two youngsters. One of the youngsters is safe as houses, doesn't spook/buck/rear/do anything really. The other one is smaller and more sharp but I've never felt as if I was going to come off, and she doesn't buck, just does mini rears occasionally and can spook. I know I'll get bored if I only have one to ride, and was trying to sell the safer one as she should have been easier to sell and I would have got more for her. Should I change and sell the sharper (more talented) youngster instead?

Plus anything else I should know?
 
I am not speaking from personal experience but from my sister & a good friend.

From what I know everyone is different & there isn't really an answer to your questions, everyones bump grows at different rates & pregnancy effects people differently. My sister was told from her 1st scan not to ride on medical grounds, my friend however was able to ride untill she felt uncomfortable 2months before due date, her bump wasn't very big though.

The only thing about the 2 horses if you feel safe on both of them, would be are you seriously going to cope with them both bear in mind you will be very tired & possibly sick for the 1st few months I had to take over looking after my sisters to start with as she was shattered all the time.
 
Hello

I am happy to give you my experience of riding whilst pregnant but just bear in mind that everyone is different so although lots of people may have had a very easy time of it (I was one of these) yours might be entirely different so you might want to have a contigency plan!

I rode until I was about 6 1/2 months gone but this was more because it was difficult to get on than because of balance problems as I had a very neat small bump. Dismounting was the most difficult/uncomfortable part so I used to chuck my leg over his neck (naughty I know) and slide down with my back to the saddle.

I think only you can make the decision as to which horse you sell and to be honest with you riding any horse is a risk as we all know even the most reliable horse has the capacity to be unpredictable but I think once you are pregnant you become protective of your baby and you will know what risks you are willing to take. I knew my horse was a pig to hack out on his own and could throw a wobbly if pushed too far so I never took him out on his own.

The only thing I couldn't do towards the end of my pregnancy was push my full wheelbarrow up the ramp to the poo trailer!

Hope this helps :)
 
Hi

I'm 31 weeks pregnant with my 1st baby. I stopped riding about 20 weeks as I was becoming a bit over anxious about little things that wouldn't normally bother me and I didn't want it to affect my horse - he's very brave and I didn't want to ruin that & I could tell he was becoming more on edge due to me being more on edge, not fair to him so stopped. Also I started to find it a little uncomfortable to dismount - I felt like I was pressing on things that shouldn't be pressed if you know what I mean!!!!!!

I had said I would carry on riding until my bump was too big as my lad is a really relaxed hack but I felt so protective over my little bump that I couldn't face risking anything happening, hence the reason for getting so anxious & stopping 10 weeks ago (now finding it so hard not riding but not long to go!).
As Cat&Mouse said you may feel ill in the beginning and I'd imagine the last thing you'll feel like doing is riding if that is the case!

I've been very lucky & have been very well all through my pregnancy (so far), no sickness etc and only slightly more tired than I usually am, but as I've said I'm near the end of my pregnancy, and am carrying an extra 9kg around with me so far so no wonder I feel a bit tired some days!!!! In the beginning I felt no different.

Personally I don't think it's worth the risk to ride sharp horses while you're pregnant tho plenty of people do and are perfectly fine. If my boy wasn't so trustworthy I probably would have stopped sooner.

As others have said it's really all personal preference and down to the individual pregnancy - your body will tell you what you can & can't do but don't forget to use your head too!!!!!

Good luck xx :)

ETS - don't forget it's not just up to you in the end as your partner will have to have a say in what happens with his baby too and you will have to consider his feelings even if they differ from your own! My husband was very supportive but it was a huge relief for him on the day I said I was stopping riding until afterwards!
 
Last edited:
1. At what point in the pregnancy does the 'bump' become too big to get on/off/balance properly?
Click to expand...

I had a small bump, and rode until 6 1/2 months. It was my pelvis that finally stopped me riding, as it used to really ache after riding. My horse is a wide girl though!

2. I was thinking of just concentrating on dressage until that point - good idea? Still wanted to compete if poss...
Click to expand...

My RI was still competing in BD dressage at 5 or 6 months pregnant. I stuck to schooling and hacking as i didn't have transport, and my energy levels weren't up for hacking to competitions.

Plus anything else I should know?
Click to expand...

My husband was not keen on me riding, and was relieved when I stopped. You might have to justify your decision to your partner. My midwives were fine for me to carry on as long as I felt able.

Every pregnancy is different, so you might be really sick early on, but then be fine, or you might have problems all the way through. Be prepared to be very flexible with your plans.

Also, have a think about how you will cope with 2/3 horses once the baby has arrived. I was part-livery for the first 9 months, which helped me out a lot as it meant I didn't have to get up at the crack of dawn after another sleepless night. However it was on a competition yard, and once my daughter was toddling I made the decision to move to a much smaller, closer diy yard without as many 'sharp' horses for her to bother :)
 
Hi, i am 5 months preganant, have been making my own plans, have been riding my dressage horse my midwife never had a problem just told me to listen to my body really, went to a show a couple of weeks ago. Baby now seems to have moved and have suddenly this week lost my muscles in my stomach he is a warmblood and quite alot to hold together so i feel we are ready to wind down now, will still hack him and lunge him to keep him ticking over and when to big to hack will just lunge him. i love riding and just felt happier when i was doing something however my fitness has really decreased as you can't get as much oxygen and it makes you knackered quickly. Also i did speak to a friend and my trainer have both advised that i don't ride for three months before as hes a real stomach horse if you get my meaning very of the leg but need your stomach to contain all the power. They have both said that you need to let your stomach muscles go otherwise delivery is more difficult because mucsles will keep pulling baby back up.
 
Hi,
I have 2 children and rode up to a week before giving birth with both of them. I didn't jump much in the last month or 2 and mostly hacked. I would say enjoy riding while you can because when baby comes along there'l be no time!!
 
A friend of mine almost rode up until her due date! But she had a really small, neat bump - in fact, if you didn't know, you couldn't tell she was even expecting. She was riding again only a couple of weeks after baby arrived! Another girl at the yard couldn't get her pony to trot - very strange as he was usually perfect! She then discovered she was pregnant (thought she couldn't have children), so he was obviously looking after his mum!:D
 
In my last pregnancy 21 years ago (Gawd I feel old! lol) I rode until 35wks, although in hindsight this was pretty stupid as I wasn't riding, should I say it, plods! I had to put my hand under my bump to stop it banging on the pommel of the saddle! Don't actually think it can harm the baby but falling off, CAN! All depends on your horse and how much you trust it! Saying that, any normally calm, sensible horse can have an "off" day! Just be careful!
x
 
im currently nearly 29 weeks pregnant with my second
i never rode with my first pregnancy as i was to scared of hurting the baby
this time round i rode up until i was 20 weeks as i felt to uncomfortable and was getting nervous of anything happening, an the horses i were riding were picking up on it. turns out ive strained my ligaments in the top of my left leg as all muscles etc are relaxed during pregnancy so im constantly uncomfortable now. i wont be riding during any further pregnancys (if i decide to have anymore)
ive also heard a few storys of people falling off there reliable steadys neddys and one baby was born disabled (dont no if it was anything to do with fall or not). the dentist who does my horses was telling me that a friend of hers was thrown of her 17.2hh warmblood on the yard (this horse is usually reliable) and she broke both wrists trying to break the fall an protect her bump (16 weeks pregnant). baby heartbeat ok but she will now just have to wait and see if there is any permanent damage.
it certainly sent a shiver down my spine when she told me
please think about riding your sharper horse, it relly isnt worth risking your baby
 
I rode on and off through my first pregnancy, I took each day as it came and the day before he popped out I was plodding around on my mare and mucking out my 7 stables.

For my second child I rode all the way through yet again bt only in walk at the halfway stage due to have a baby elephant growing inside me (10lb 9oz). Again I rode the day before but this time had to lunge and muck out nine other ponies and take a 100 bale hay delivery...think thats what got her on her way lol

It depends on what you are expecting to do. I only ever rode lightly and if I felt a little icky or uncomfortable I wouldn't get on. I only ever rode my mare as she is very placid and the sharper horses and pony just got lunged as I never trusted them.

One thing I won't do anymore is drag flippin' metal troughs around as I put my back out in my 2006 pregnancy and four days later miscarried. I will continue to ride my mares during my future pregnancys (we are still trying for another) but only as long as I am feeling well enough.

Good luck and listen to your body xx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top