Pregnancy and Riding

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Caritas

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I did put a post on here seceral days ago about this but didnt get much response. PLease all you guys that have had babys and horses, tell me more. How did you cope, when was your worst times, how long did you or didnt you ride and how did you manage? Many thanks
 
The last time this was debated on here it turned into a free for all and some got deleted that maybe why no one said alot!

The general gist was:

About a third said, yes they would carry on riding
About a third said, no they wouldn't carry on riding
and
About a third said, they would ride but only horses they knew well and would restrict it to 'lower risk' riding ie not competing and not jumping.

Good Luck
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[ QUOTE ]
The last time this was debated on here it turned into a free for all and some got deleted that maybe why no one said alot!

The general gist was:

About a third said, yes they would carry on riding
About a third said, no they wouldn't carry on riding
and
About a third said, they would ride but only horses they knew well and would restrict it to 'lower risk' riding ie not competing and not jumping.

Good Luck
grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not sure that's what the OP is after! I think she wants to know how people dealt with juggling babies and horses, time and money wise? Of course I may be wrong!

And to the OP - sorry, no babies here so I can't help. My plan is to loan Henry for a year whilst I have the baby (whenever that might be!) and get used to things, then take him back and see how I do!!
 
I stopped riding when I was 8 months pregnant but carried on mucking out etc until the day I was induced (well I mucked out before I went to the hospital) my friend looked after horse whilst I was in hospital then I was back riding and mucking out 2 weeks after (I had stitches ouch). I used to get up before my husband muck out and be home by the time he had to go to work, then either take my daughter up the yard and ride whilst she was asleep in the car or wait for my husband to get back from work and then go and ride. Now I muck out before work, OH gets daughter ready and takes her to nursery, after work, I go straight back to the stables to ride and OH picks up daughter on his way home. Whats going to happen when she goes to school I have no idea. it is hard work but do able. Does that help?
 
I was explaining why she MAY have not got much of a response to her last post!! I was trying to put in a polite way what happened recently and that MAYBE thats why people hadn't replied to her previously!
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I only posted because I didn't want her to think she was being ignored just that people MAYBE alittle wary of the topic after last time
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I rode until i was 7 months gone but only on my older horse and no jumping. I was really sick throughout with my little girl but i think the horses really gave me something to focus on rather than feeling so ill! I I was also doing most of the day to day care with the horses as well because the yard is my own but i did have help with the heavier stuff. I do think it helped me keep up a certain level of fitness and i had an easy labour but everyone is different and you do have to listen to your body at the end of the day.
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I have 3 kids, 2 horses, a dog & a cat and manage (just about!) I carried on riding til I was about 7 months pregnant but stopped after being dragged whilst unloading a bolshy horse. I started riding at age 3 but after having the first two kids I gave up horses completely until 3 yrs ago, my kids are now aged 13, 11 and 6 yrs. If you've got plenty of help available then I don't see any reason why you won't cope!!
 
Well I've got a four year old horse and a six month old baby!!

I carried on lunging and long reining him (when he was 3) until I was about 7 months when I just could not keep up. I then sent him away to be backed and started. He stayed there for 5 months in the end as I had a c-section and it was not expensive to keep him there. I rode him about 8 weeks after giving birth first at the yard he was started before bringing him home when little one was about 3 months. I don't think I could have managed him full time before that to be honest. Now I get to ride about 4-5 times a week as I'm lucky enough to have good baby sitters and nursery 3 afternoons a week. I also occaisionally ride after she has gone to bed. If I had to go back to work I don't think I could have managed but probably would be easier with an older horse!!

Hope that helps.
 
I rode when pregnant the first two times, but have had to stop this time after a car crash. Not because of the pregnancy, but I injured my neck. Am pretty fed up about it!

As for coping with little ones, it's not easy but it's amazing how you do manage somehow! With my first two, my horses were on DIY, so I'm afraid the babies came with me whilst I mucked out etc. They either stayed in the car (in full view of me) or they came out in their pushchairs (safely out of the way). I even used to take their breakfasts with me! This time, my horses are on full livery so I don't have that worry.

With regard to riding, I paid someone to ride for me while I couldn't. I'm doing the same this time, but they only ride twice a week - just keeps them ticking over.

It takes a bit of juggling, an understanding partner and family, and maybe some paid childcare, but it all pans out in the end!
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It's a nightmare! but do-able with a bit of help. Ryan went from being horrid to a gem whilst I was pregnant with Issy who is my 1st child, so rode until 8.5mths pregnant as was in denial!!!! However I keep it low level hacking and schooling mainly walk and trot and a little canter. I also mucked out and swept my huge concrete yard until the day I went in to labour. Labour was incredibly quick, Issy was born 3 hrs after I got to hospital and the Doctors swore it was because I was so fit.

When Issy was 8wks old as you know Ryan was diagnosed with KS so has to do 6mths paliative schooling whilst trying to decide on op, then op, then post op and so he was having to be worked 5-6days a week.

We got through it, Issy was definitely 2nd child behind the horse but with a supportive husband who is incredibly patient, a great nursery that Issy did a couple of short days at from 6mths old and a bit of determination to survive we got through, it would have been hard for me to work as well and luckily you get 1yrs maternity now if you want it, but haven't gone back to work as can't find the time and my hubby works really long hours!!!!!

When they are babies the 1st year isn't terrible as they can't walk, so stay where they are put, since my daughter has been mobile it is harder to get things done although the horses love her being around, I have never had a problemgetting chores done but the bit that is hard is turn out/bring in and the riding as obviously you need to keep child safe!

The only thing I would watch out for is that I think Ryan's back deteriorated through less work as the last few months of pregnancy was riding maybe 3 short sessions a week, this was before he had his op, so knowing that your neddy has had the same issues I would work out a plan to ensure you can keep him fittish just in case - think you might want to say hello to the long reins again as that is what I would do if I got pregnant again!

Thinks that answers some of your questions, but my overall feeling is that am so glad I kept Ryan and Issy is a really down to earth, happy child who is very patient because she has had to fit in and who adores being out and about all day, I really enjoy seeing her and Ryan together as they make a great pair!
 
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