Riding whilst pregnant

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Patterdale

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What do people think?

I am nearly 5 months gone and stopped riding about 3 weeks ago. I'm now getting serious withdrawal though and as I have no real bump (still!) am getting REALLY tempted to get back on.

(As you may realise I have taken up HHO in leiu of riding...!)

What are peoples opinions on this? I'm leaning towards the 'there is no right or wrong, personal circumstances etc' argument but I'd be very interested to hear other peoples opinions on the subject in general!

Everyone says different things so it's so hard to know what to think!

Thank you! :D
 
I believe you should do what you feel is right. Whilst pregnant I didn't ride my horse at all as he was big,spooky and flighty and I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I fell off and damaged the baby. If I owned a ploddy cob that didn't usually get past a walkm I probably would have ridden as much as I could.

You get people saying you ought to stop altogether and others riding until the day the give birth! I suppose it's you that has to live with the consequence should you fall off so it's your decision.

I've had friends do both though I have to admit when I rode out with the pregnant one, I told her I didn't want to canter anywhere!!
 
Currently reading a Nancy Mitford novel where someone avoids children (pre-reliable contraception) by "Skiing, or hunting, or just jumping off the kitchen table."

You're increasing your risk of miscarrying (due to increased risk of falling vs. not being on top of a tall animal). % risk obviously depends on many factors.

Up to you if you think it worth it. (Will depend on if you are paid to ride/how much you want the baby/if you'll resent it if you don't/what the father thinks if around...).

Have fun with baby, and horses too (even if you wait until afterwards for those again).
 
i think its something that has to be judged on a totally individual basis, and weighed up with the father.

i am due this week:eek: and only stopped about a month ago.... i wouldnt have carried on riding any other horse ive owned previously but my mare has been a star.

good luck with whatever you do, and congrats:cool: one peice of advice id offer, is that if you do decide to carry on be prepared to ignore people who suddenly think it is their right to force their opinions on you ;)

ps, lol, you will have a lot on your hands if you breed that litter:D
 
I'm still riding (22wks) but no jumping, and am being careful. My big girl is normally pretty perfect so can carry on schooling as normal and going for the odd hack. I'm hoping to ride until about 32/33wks and then figure the last six will probably be a no-go. Still have my balance as normal.
 
I rode up to about 8 months pregnant with my daughter who is now 6 months. The first 6 months I rode my tb ex racer who had only come out of training that Spring and took him hound exercise (I live at kennels) everyday. For the last 2 months I rode my old horse who my partner hunts hounds from and again did hound exercise and hunt rides. I did not jump at all.
Both horses looked after me so well and the only reason I stopped was because I was fed up with having to get on and off to have a wee all the time and the bump was getting a bit cumbersome!
I had waited a long time for this baby with a couple of disasters on the way so many might see my behaviour as mad but for some reason I felt better and happier when I was riding because it was something that made me feel confident and I found pregnancy terrifying!!!
Do what makes you feel happy, follow your instinct, everyone is different.
Good luck with the pregnancy, the last month is awful but the result is so worth every trip to the loo and the heartburn!!
 
I stopped when I couldn't comfortably get on and off the horse anymore - about 5 weeks before baby was born!
Had to have stitches though so whilst am now back at yard, 3 week old in tow, was advised to not ride for 6 weeks and then take it gently so glad I rode as long as I could beforehand!
 
Best to do whatever you feel comfortable with. I rode up until I was about 8 months and only stopped then because of the physical difficulties! But, to be fair my cob is the safest, easiest and nicest ride going. He's a huge favourite with nervous riders or novices and I trust him completely. Don't think I would have carried on riding anything else.

Think you just have to decide between you and father what you're happy with. :)
 
flying solo said:
I'm only 13 weeks and every time I ride even for 10 mins my thighs are killing me and bump doesn't feel very happy either so think I'll be giving up soon :-( did anyone else have this?
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cant say i did, that doesnt sound nice but i guess you have to listen to your body. I found even at 8 months, riding was the only time i forgot i was pregnant and wasnt aware of my bump at all. I only stopped as I thought it would be a good idea to 'let down' a little and let things relax:o I certainly couldnt get on now though lol ;)
 
Eek I'm 14 weeks and had planed to ride for as long as I could but have been soooo sick I've only managed a couple of schooling sessions and a hack :-( luckily my super bro has been keeping my youngster in work 6 days a week and I've been able to keep control of her training rather than having to get a sharer! It's getting me down a bit though as having major withdrawal symptoms and very fed up of feeling so sick! Keep telling myself it'll all be worth it in the end but am struggling a bit at the mo if I'm honest!
 
I rode up until the night before daughter was born. Didn't jump, apart from the odd small one at home in the first few months & gave up galloping when bump got big & could have affected my balance. But I trust mine 100%. Despite not being a plod, she's well behaved & I feel safer on her than on my own feet. Had the offer of an ex rda horse to ride, but wanted to ride mine, not just cos she's more fun, but I felt safer with her. Last few weeks when babies head was fully engaged riding was more comfortable than sitting.
As for the risk of miscarriage, there's a risk if you get out of bed, let alone get in a car. I'm more likely to fall on my own feet than my mares, so more chance of a miscarriage going for a walk in my case.
That said its a personal choice with no right or wrong. Healthy pregnancy & trustworthy horse made it right for me. But you have to do what's best for you & your situation.
 
Neversaynever - yes it will be! We can go out for a waddle together! :D

I don't think I am going to ride again until after now. Probably not worth it.
The thing that stopped me I wasn't prepared for - I started losing my nerve a bit! Anyone else experienced this? Ice always been very confident but was suddenly much more conscious of falling off, so I stopped.

OH is fine about it whatever I do, he's very laid back and just says he will trust my judgement.

A few people I've asked say they rode with the first but then not after that because they knew what they were risking then.

Controversial subject probably.

You have to wonder tho, did people 100 years ago have this conversation about cars? 'Dont get in those dangerous new motor cars, stick with the faithful old horse' lol!
 
My gut instinct is to say ' no never, ever' however I was riding until 4 months ( did not know I was pregnant) and only found out I was due to an riding accident that involved having bloods taken and finding out that way!!!!

So if I knew I was pregnant, no I would not ride, although my experience is extreme, and I know people who rode for as long ad they could.

Btw, my shock baby is now 6 and completely horsey and has a fab seat, who knows , maybe she learned a lesson in the womb :D
 
My instructor is pregnant, she schools my young horse and sometimes rides him on hacks while I ride one of my other older horses. She says she will ride until sept...the baby is due.....Sept! :eek:. despite his youth and lack of experience, I know she trusts him.
 
I'd ride if I had another. But assuming it was same horse & a healthy pregnancy. Didn't lose my confidence during pregnancy, just used common sense to determine which activities were still sensible. Pre baby I'd ride anything, confirmed rearers & bolters included. Whereas with a child I don't take risks to life & limb anymore. Previously if I saw a horse throw someone, I'd be wanting to get on for the challenge, & would happily jump on a horse in the car park of a sales to see what it did ridden if it looked to good to be true. But now I always weigh up the risk & possibility of injury before riding as its her life I'd affect too. So not confidence loss really, just self preservation.
 
I didn't ride, I stopped as soon as I found out - I knew I couldn't live with myself if I had of fallen off..plus it took 2 years to get pregnant so I suppose I worried more than some.
 
I wouldn't have rode anything I felt unsure of. But I'd had mine since she was 2 & I was 10 so I know her inside out & trust her.
Whilst I'm sorry to hear about your miscarriage miss bean, I didn't ride because 'I was prepared to take the risk'. I made an informed decision that riding my horse was safer than the same risks all pregnant women are exposed to, such as driving & walking down stairs. Granted, many people might not have the ideal situation I did,
 
Don't feel bad, I am such a woss, can't ride as scared to death that daisy will be left without a mummy :( irrational , yes. I think I can be forgiven , seen as how I found out I was pregnant with her ...

How ever she is now sad I don't ride, but can have the cheek to tell her off for her riding, so I bought my self a very expensive hat ( for me) to kick myself up the bum and don't be silly any Moore.

Please don't do what I did...

I only found out I was pregnant at 4 months after a horsey accident, and blood test showed a baby !!! Shocked... Yes
 
I'm def going to ride again after - I used to ride professionally and would never live it down if word got out that I was a wimp ha!!

Think it will make me more cautious though. As someone else has said, probably more self-preservation than anything.
I probably won't be getting on anyones nappy/bucking/naughty horses any more just to prove a point to it :P
I have a 3yo though that I backed and turned away just before Babygate and he'll be ready to get going again a few months after the birth so that should get me back in the swing of things!
I hope!
 
That sounds like a plan, self preservation took me over with the guilt face, I miss riding idiots, but I have now got a bee in my bonnet , glad to hear you are more sensible than me LOL

Hope my lovely hat really does makes me get in the saddle

And good luck with human baby xxxxxx
 
Thank you very much! :D I'm sure the hat will work, there's nothing like an expensive purchase to inspire you!
Now tell yourself that when you are riding again you will buy yourself X, then Z when you jump again etc etc - will make it all so much more rewarding! :D
 
That is soo funny :) the only thing I thought was odd was that my lip salve tasted funny :)

And I was skinny then LOL. Daisy is still called ' dink' as she was a dinky bean and no one knew :)

Good luck, and you will not believe how much pleasure they bring, at least I did not xxxx

Although horses are much better smelling :D xx
 
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