Riding whilst Pregnant - Thoughts?

horsey_jo

horsey_jo

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I am very happy to be 10 weeks pregnant :D

I have ridden a couple of times since I found out I was expecting but I have stopped recently.

I do not believe that the action of riding increases miscarriage, unless you fall obviously, but I could fall from my bike or trip down the stairs just as easy as falling from the chubby placid cob I share.

The reason I stopped was that in the awful event that I did miscarry, I did not want to feel like my riding might be used as a reason for it happening.

This is a change in my opinion as I was riding up until 5 months of my last pregnancy and that was on bolshy polo ponies! Admittedly I was in my early 20's and a little more 'gung-ho' than I am now.

I think having a child in my life has made me more cautious.

What is everyone elses thoughts?

I think that Mary King won gold at the 1995 Europeans when 5 months pregnant!
 
I think on a horse that is 100% bombproof (yeah no horse can be that before anyone starts :P) a nice, steady walk on a hack isn't bad on quiet roads, and a nice area, but not too far away if something did happens.

I see why you don't want to do it though, I wouldn't (god help me I am not anytime soon im only 19!), but then I'd blame myself for walking too fast or something. :(
 
kovu said:
I think on a horse that is 100% bombproof (yeah no horse can be that before anyone starts :P) a nice, steady walk on a hack isn't bad on quiet roads, and a nice area, but not too far away if something did happens.

I see why you don't want to do it though, I wouldn't (god help me I am not anytime soon im only 19!), but then I'd blame myself for walking too fast or something. :(
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This is an issue as I know I can't resist a canter up a grassy slope! I think I would forget myself!
 
I chose not to ride whilst pregnant, the risk just wasn't worth it for me and I'm not that good a rider.

Horse riding is a risk sport, climbing up the stairs or riding a bike isn't.

However, it's personal choice.
 
horsey_jo said:
This is an issue as I know I can't resist a canter up a grassy slope! I think I would forget myself!
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Easier said then done! ;) ... Congratulations by the way, how rude of me not to say! Personally I think if you take a friend on a equally placid horse with you, so you always have someone there, and you know yours isn't going to be silly, I don't think its a problem as long as you don't push it.

We're not all mary kings after all! :p
 
I think it depends on the person, my friend owns a riding school, and took out treks til she was 8 mths pregnant. Wouldnt be for me though, I think riding is a risk sport, and why would you risk anything happening to you or your baby. I know that you can argue that you can get hit by a bus, but you are not putting yourself infront of a bus. I am blessed with two beautiful children, but I also lost two, so maybe I'm overly cautious. Personally, I wouldnt risk it, it's 40 weeks out of your entire life!!!!!
 
Congratulations!

Each person is different. I thought I would continue as normal, but I was neither able nor willing! I couldn't really school the horses (too big, too tired, too nauseous) and I didn't see the point in risking losing the baby for a hack in walk. Then I had my 22 week scan that ruled out all sorts of scary abnormalities and confirmed the baby was doing fine, so I though, OK we've made it this far with no problems do I really want to risk it all now? So I stopped! At 35 weeks I can barely waddle around the house so riding would be completely out of the question, I have no idea how other people do it!
 
oh so so many big hugs on your pregancy mmmmm thats so nice :) as for riding mmmm a good safe horse where you can chill and have some *you * time id say go for it - relax time will help you and baby - but be ware of silly spooky nags ( like my big lad) or any thing fast unless you were fit before pregancy - but hey enjoy the next few months and keep us posted on the baby to be :) ohhhhhhh xxxxx
 
I'm 17 weeks pregnant tomorrow (or 18 weeks, the hospital says I am 17weeks, but according to the due date they gave me I am 18 weeks, so one of them must be wrong!) and I'm 23 years old.

I am riding as usual. I took my horse XC schooling and to a hunter trial at 15 weeks. He's now gone on loan, but I'm schooling and hacking out my friends horse, who is known for being an arse - BUT I have never ever had any problems with him, and I've not fallen off either horse, ever. If I thought I was at risk of falling, then I wouldn't, but both the XC and HT were little jumps, done in mainly trot or a very steady canter.

I haven't had any 'bad' symptoms like morning sickness, and I don't really have a bump yet. Occasionally I can feel a pulling/straining sensation when I'm kneeling or lifting, but I haven't had this after riding yet, if/when I do, then I'll stop.

I need to continue to ride for my own sanity. I tried to stop, but became very depressed, bored and lonely. I've talked to my midwife about it, she says she's had women who happily & safely continued to ride until 7/8 months. I'm happy to continue hacking out as long as I can.

I would never do anything stupid, I know my limits, and I also know both horses very very well. But riding really is very important to me, and my OH knows that.

edit - just to add, I had to give up work, and so my OH encourages me to ride as a hobby and to lift my spirits. His family also encourage me to ride (whilst I can). ATM it's all I have to stop me going mad (apart from talking to teh dog, of course)! Mind, I am only riding when I can get to yard, which is about two days every two weeks.
 
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Congratulations!!!
I gave birth 12 weeks ago. Before falling pregnant I fully intended to continue riding when pregnant, once i found out I was pregnant I just stopped riding, it was what was right for me, I didn't feel comfortable on a horse (I did own a young 5 year old eventer). This is no criticism of those who choose to continue to ride. It really is an individual choice, just be aware EVERYONE feels they have a right to an opinion on what you do and do not do in pregnancy. I stopped riding but had a woman give me a huge lecture because I was noticably pregnant hiking up a small mountain - you can't win!! Part of my reason stopping riding did come down to to my in-laws views and wish to stop though I must admit.

Congratulations on pregnancy. I loved being pregnant and having my son was the most, most amazing thing I have ever done! It is totally and utterly overwhelming!! :-D Enjoy every moment! xx
 
BrambleandMonty said:
I'm 17 weeks pregnant tomorrow (or 18 weeks, the hospital says I am 17weeks, but according to the due date they gave me I am 18 weeks, so one of them must be wrong!) and I'm 23 years old.

I am riding as usual. I took my horse XC schooling and to a hunter trial at 15 weeks. He's now gone on loan, but I'm schooling and hacking out my friends horse, who is known for being an arse - BUT I have never ever had any problems with him, and I've not fallen off either horse, ever. If I thought I was at risk of falling, then I wouldn't, but both the XC and HT were little jumps, done in mainly trot or a very steady canter.

I haven't had any 'bad' symptoms like morning sickness, and I don't really have a bump yet. Occasionally I can feel a pulling/straining sensation when I'm kneeling or lifting, but I haven't had this after riding yet, if/when I do, then I'll stop.

I need to continue to ride for my own sanity. I tried to stop, but became very depressed, bored and lonely. I've talked to my midwife about it, she says she's had women who happily & safely continued to ride until 7/8 months. I'm happy to continue hacking out as long as I can.

I would never do anything stupid, I know my limits, and I also know both horses very very well. But riding really is very important to me, and my OH knows that.

edit - just to add, I had to give up work, and so my OH encourages me to ride as a hobby and to lift my spirits. His family also encourage me to ride (whilst I can). ATM it's all I have to stop me going mad (apart from talking to teh dog, of course)! Mind, I am only riding when I can get to yard, which is about two days every two weeks.
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Is there any chance you could ride a horse that isn't a bit of an arse, you can fall from a riding school school-master. Now, i'm trying not to be negative, as previously posted, everybody's different, but at 20, I broke my 3 yr old while pregnant, long story, in total denial, but I buried my Stephen, and it still haunts me. Breaking the horse had NOTHING to do with it, but if you can understand, logic doesn't come into grief, so I still fell guilty for every silly thing I did, and I too had to give up work, driving, walking, etc... little by little, and was nearly mad from looking at 4 walls. After Stephen died, I went on to have Patrick, who was prem and sick even though i didn't even smell a horse, lost the next baby, alanna, even though i didnt smell a horse, and my daughter Shauna, is perfectly healthy and is now riding. Sorry for banging on, it's just a subject if feel strongly about, for obvious reasons, your baby is so precious, why would you risk anything happening to him/her??
 
Hey, I had a bad fall from a horse I was training when I was 5 weeks pregnant. Which did my daughter no harm but left me really sick for afew months after. But I still rode till I was 6months and lunged the rest of time. And I have a beautiful happy boucing baby.
 
Fitzaud2 I'm so sorry I just read your post. That must have been so difficult. But your so much stronger than I could have been in that sort of situation. Sometimes there's no justifing the cards that are laid down for us. And you must be an amazing person to have gotten through.
Best wishes
 
fitzaud2 I am really sorry to hear about your loses...



Just a word of caution re lunging, I actually find that more difficult than riding because I am so unsteady on my feet (I think I look unstead because everyone gives me a wide berth everywhere!!!) I can't easily get out of the way of kicking hooves!
 
Congratulations. I rode all the way through my pregnancy, competing up till I was 6 months gone, I had no real bump, only stopped as I was asked not to by local RC chairman lol.
Had the full backing of my midwife and obstetrician, who said unless I had a direct blow to my stomach, my chances of miscarrying were the same as anyone else doing a sport. My friend (non horsey) has lost 10 babies over the years and she has never taken any risks with her pregnancies.
It's very much each to their own and I'd never critisise anyone for not riding while pregnant but by the same token I don't expect people to slate my decision, after all I gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
All the best with your pregnancy.
 
babymare said:
booboos i love your post lol :) xxxx
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Thank you! Pregnancy has been one, surprising, unpleasant revelation for me...and that's without having had any serious problems, just the usual 'normal' ones, e.g. 24/7 nausea, back ache for which you can't take anything, nosebleeds and nasal congestion, blocked ears, constant trips to the bathroom, strong Braxton-Hicks contractions all day and night long...it's lovely really! If I go over 40 weeks I will have to kill someone!
 
congrats on ur pregnancy! I continued to ride my girl untill i was about 7 months, after that was too uncomfortable. I consulted midwife who said if u already do it keep doin it! said its the same with running etc. xx
 
Congrats! I rode until 6 months with my first baby (and fell off at 8 weeks pregnant but was scanned and was fine thank god). In fact I even rode at 9 months+ because she was overdue and I so desperately wanted her out I decided riding might just do it (it didn't!).

With my second I was so much more cautious and I don't really know why. My mare was safe (ish) but it just didn't feel right that time.

My OH used to rider her for me and I'd be panting away on a bike behind - far more dangerous for me than riding a horse, I'm hopeless on a bike!

Good luck with it all x
 
My mother rode her horses and competed until she was quite far gone with my sister and i (i think we turned out alright hehe) my best friend is 5 months pregnant and she is still riding and doing dressage competitions.
 
Firstly Congratulations!

Each to their own.

I understand that exercise is good while pregnant and that a happy mommy leads to a happy baby, I will be riding but have made the decision to sell my slightly eccentric youngster before we get to that stage and just ride the competition horses on the basis they know theur jobs better and are less likely to make a mistake which could hurt me or baby.
 
I'm 34 weeks and still riding my 18 year old very trusted mare though only locally, I mostly walk though if the baby is in a cooperative position I will have a little trot and canter.

I've ridden all the way through and battled through the tiredness and sickness stage too, I think once the baby engages I will be forced to stop. The doctors and midwifes have been fine with it and its been an uncomplicated pregnancy apart from the usual niggles and discomforts.

Its certainly kept me fit looking after my 2 horses and riding and I think I've benefited from it physically and mentally!
 
Syrah said:
Horse riding is a risk sport, climbing up the stairs or riding a bike isn't.
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You would think so! I rode until I was 7 months pregnant and could not fault my mare at all - we were still having weekly lessons up until then. In that time I had a few wobbles but no problems really.

However, at 7.5 months pregnant I did fall up the stairs and bruised myself quite badly! lol. I suppose I'm better on my bum than my feet! lol.

x
 
KerslakeEquestrian said:
You would think so! I rode until I was 7 months pregnant and could not fault my mare at all - we were still having weekly lessons up until then. In that time I had a few wobbles but no problems really.

However, at 7.5 months pregnant I did fall up the stairs and bruised myself quite badly! lol. I suppose I'm better on my bum than my feet! lol.

x
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Lol, I've had two near misses with the stairs as well!
 
I think it's a personal decision for everyone, and no-one should say what is right. I do get annoyed by the websites / books that say "don't ride it's high risk" in a rather blase way as if not riding is no big deal and no different from, say, not eating runny eggs. I've found midwives tend to be quite relaxed about it (around here anyway, I am in a rural area which may help).

I'm 33 weeks pregnant. I fully intended to ride my sensible cob as long as I could, I've never had a fall from him (unless you count us both falling over at gallop!) so I think riding him slowly is less high risk than driving my car on the whole.

It didn't work out for me because I was ill (lung unfection), then it snowed, and then he was ill (also a lung infection). Next thing I knew it wasn't carrying on riding, but starting riding again at 20 weeks after over 2 months off, which was quite different and I just didn't feel comfortable (the muscles had gone, and he'd put on weight which on a HW cob wasn't good for my hips). I do regret it, but these things happen - when I start feeling sorry for myself I just look at the two people on our yard who can't ride because their horses have long-term health conditions and remember that at least he's sound and we'll soon get going again.
 
I think every woman needs to make her own decision here and no one, except your doctor or midwife, should tell you what you can or can't do.

For what it's worth, most miscarriages happen spontaneously, because something is abnormal with the foetus, not because the pregnant woman necessarily did anything to bring it on.
 
Some people on here know my job and I wouldn't stop riding if I fell pregnant. We all know that small risk of hurting our self or baby but also being pregnant doesn't mean we have to wrap ourselves in cotton wall. We know how we feel, you know the consequence of getting on any horse and its your choice at the end of the day.
 
Congrats OP - hope you are feeling well?

I always said I would continue to ride if I was ever lucky enough to get pregnant. I'm now 23 weeks and haven't sat on a horse since I found out, despite having a stupid amount of trust in my boy to look after me (and a reasonable ability to remain in the saddle). I've sadly had to give up horses for the short term; I was really poorly until 16 weeks and couldn't manage to look after myself, let alone a horse :-(

The only person who should influence your decision to ride is you - midwives and doctors will all advise you accordingly (bear in mind everyone has their own opinions!) regarding your own and your baby's health; it is your call to determine the risk.
 
Congratulations. I'm nearly 12 weeks and am riding every day. I have to admit that the only time I feel normal is when I'm on a horse, it takes my mind off all the other joys of pregnancy - indegestion, constipation, nausea, ravenous hunger and feeling the size of house already!!!

I plan to ride for as long as I feel comfortable doing so. I am not jumping and have no plans to jump but that is mainly because my current horse is a TB who has only been out of training 5 weeks so his jumping is a bit scary atm! I do always ride with someone who knows I am pregnant and if it starts to hurt or feel uncomfortable I will stop straight away.

2 years ago I had a missed abortion and only found out that the baby had died at 8 weeks when I had my first scan at 14 weeks. I hadn't ridden and had followed every piece of advice to the last letter. This time I have just tried to get on with everything as normal and just pray that everything works out ok.
 
My OH knows that should I ever fall pregnant, I fully intend to ride my own horse for as long as I physically can. I won't ride anything else, though, as I wouldn't trust anything else. Mine is very sensible and the only problem I can forsee is my not being able to get on and off without a crane!

Not yet, though, I might add... not yet ;)
 
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