pregnancy,babies and horses :-)

My first baby, I rode until about 20 weeks (only stopped then as we had deep snow for 4 weeks), competing (SJ and XC until about 15 weeks) and kept active - I then had a disaster and gave birth at 29 weeks (not caused by anything physical I did!) so was in hospital with my son for 3 months! Hence my boy had a good long time off, and to be honest it did him the world of good, came back into work perhaps even better than before. Supportive OH is key to getting time to yourself (essential whoever you are!)

I'm pregnant again now (18 weeks) and stopped riding almost immediately (given cold and rain I didn;t need too much persuasion!) and am taking it much easier this time. I won't race to get back on but am enjoying my fix grooming etc.
 
I had to stop riding from the start of my pregnancy due to health issues, my MIL rode my mare a few times but she decided she was a bit to much for her so she wasn't riden from April until January, my son was born in November. She didn't seem to mind and was as good as gold coming back into work.
 
I am 13 weeks pregnant and did my last hack last week. I still feel good and lunge my mare 2 or 3 times a week but don't want to take the risk to ride as she is sharp and falling off could mean loosing the baby. I trust her not to kick at me so that's why I am still lunging her, I also take extra care not to come close behind.
My friend who is 10 weeks has also stopped riding because her horse is sharp as well.

Ultimately, it's up to you to see how you'll feel and you'll be able to discuss it with your midwife once you are pregnant.

I am not competitive so it's not a problem for me to turn away my mare, she loves being out in the field so I don't feel bad about it at all.
 
thanks for your comments guys!

well, ill keep you informed for if/when i fall pregnant :-) i dont think ill ride my horse during pregnancy as hes very sharp but i have friends that have nice sane horses :-) see how we go! like youve said, i can always bring my horse back into work after baby is born and im sure he wont mind the time off too much :-)
 
flaxen said:
If you have a supportive and helpful husband and family then it probably wont be a problem, but mine isnt and I have had to sell my homebred youngster who was my future competition horse as he just wasnt getting any attention at all except mucked out, and that was when baby was asleep!

My husband doesnt help with our daughter at all and never has done and is intensely jealous of any time I tried to spend with my horses ( had a companion ) , he is very controling and bullying and even called my farrier my boyfriend because he came to do their feet!

My mum only has her grand daughter for the day im at work so I still dont get any free time to enjoy myself.

I am now leaving as I cant cope with living with him anymore.
Click to expand...

Flaxen without wanting to sound like a stalker, I think about you and I am glad to hear you have found the strength to leave him. Your life will get much better once you are out of his control. Good luck to you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top