Those who rode while pregnant...

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horsemad32

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How did you find it? When did you have to stop? When did you have to slow down? And how late did you compete until? Do judges mind/notice? Any particular pitfalls to watch out for, assuming a relatively sensible horse?

I'm trying to listen to my body (so if I'm extra tired/aching not riding etc), and obv not jumping, but hacking/schooling as usual. I'm only 18 weeks though, and still have balance as normal. I have started to wear support around my tummy for longer hacks or those muscles ache a bit. To be honest though, sleeping atm is more uncomfortable than riding!
 
i rode as normal up until about 26 weeks, then it all got too uncomfortable. coming home from a hack one day i was in total agony and could barely dismount, at that point i thought enough was enough. i did still sit on one of the old cobs bareback a couple of times after that, just to remind myself what sitting on a horse felt like :p

i didn't slow down with mucking out, lugging water buckets, haynets, straw bales, sacks of feed etc at all, still did all that until the day before i went into hospital (had to be induced nearly 3 weeks early)

in fact, keeping active made me feel a lot better, i didn't have an ounce of extra fat on me apart from what i needed to put on for the baby, and it was much easier to bounce back afterwards!!

good luck with your beautiful baby :D
 
Hi, I am only 16 weeks and gave up a couple of weeks ago. Everyone is different however, I had complications and as my horse isn't always the easiest I made the decision to not take the risk. More for my other halfs peace of mind however! My friend kept riding until she was 'fit to drop' as she put it and even entered a working hunter class at 6 months, the judge did joke that she should charge her 2 entries. This was some time ago however, not sure what peoples perceptions of it would be now. I think basically that everyone is different and you must do what you feel comfortable with and listen to your body. Good luck and congratulations! I wish I could keep on riding!!
 
It completely an individual thing so listen to your own body.

I rode till 23 weeks but could neither hack (too scary) nor school effectively so it was a waste of time.

I tried to do things with the horses but I pulled a muscle in my back pushing a wheelbarrow in the second trimester and that was very painful till the end.

Third trimester I could hardly walk, so bending over, lunging, leading, etc. were all out of the question!

I had no problems after the birth, despite the c-section! I immediately felt light, sporty and young!!! I rode after 7 weeks, although I still don't have all my muscles back (10 months).
 
I rode throughout my entire pregnancy - had to dismount cowboy style towards the end! I was VERY careful about what I rode - only ultra safe ones. I didn't hack or jump, and didn't really work very hard when I rode. Mostly just jumped on clients horses to demonstrate movements, or sort out a bit of evasion.
I had a very easy time of it when I had him, and I'm sure it was because I was still riding fit.
 
My YO rode right up until the day she went into labour, she even rode that morning I think.

I do remember her saying that she stopped competing just before 5 months as half way round a course of jumps she realised that she wasn't enjoying it as she was too concerned about keeping safe.

She gave up riding her most problematic baby and had her schooled regulalry but she was still out galloping her other two neddies right up until the end. We were just talking about it today actually and she said that she just knew what was right and what wasn't.

I think you should only ever do what you are 100% comfortable with. Today we talked about it being a calculated risk and you take the right precautions - ride the right horse under the right circumstances.

x
 
I rode up until about eight months the quiet ones,although the last couple of months mounting and dismounting was an effort.

I did get some comments but I think if you are sensible and do what you feel comfortable with.:)
 
I'm 22 weeks and still riding. Mainly hacking really, walking and bit of trotting. I had my last lesson last weds, there was loads of cantering and I was pooped by the end of it, my trainer is really understanding and cool with it. He's going to continue schooling for me. Am starting to find dismounting tricky and will stop when my body tells me to.

I trust my horse and feel that we have a good relationship. I enjoy it and it is good to do some excersise! :)
 
I stopped jumping straight away except the odd one at home & stuck to dressage till about 4&1/2 months, stopped the dressage mainly because its never been interesting for me as a sole pursuit, not for health reasons. I didn't even have a bump at that stage so no idea how pregnant competitors are treated, but can't imagine its a problem. Last rode the evening before my daughter was born. Was lucky enough to be able to hack without going on roads. Still cantered but struggled to keep balance for galloping in last 6 weeks so gave that up. I did trust mine completely tho & had no health issues. Only problem was having to step over from a very high mounting block to get on & dismount cowboy style as others have said. I had a very quick & easy labour & I do think this was helped by keeping active. Just do what feels right for you though & good luck.
 
Rode up until 28 weeks - stopped because I was getting very bad hip pain and could barely walk after riding. Also could only gallop and walk by the end (due to hips) which wasn't ideal for pony's education! Pony a saint though, I was still hacking and schooling when I stopped riding, although baby's father had forbidden jumping.

Got back on 6 weeks after a very straightforward birth. Felt very wobbly in the stomach department but otherwise fine. Agree that the fitter you stay during pregnancy, the better your chances for a straightforward delivery. It really was a stamina test for me, was glad I was used to being fit and active! Good luck.

My one warning is that when you start having to dismount leg over the front, be careful your horse doesn't lift his head at the crucial moment - I kicked my poor boy in the face one time [blush] - thank goodness he is such a forgiving soul.
 
i rode up until about a fortnight ag, Im approaching 36 weeks. Its a totally individual thing and people do like to pass comment:rolleyes: I could have carried on tbh, infact i was gagging to go for a hack today. It was a combination of things that made me decide to stop, although i was still feeling fine when riding I was becoming aware, as my MW had warned, that in this late stage your muscles/ligaments etc all begin to relax and you are more prone to injuring yourself. Although I never felt my balance was off, Im knocking into things and bruising myself so easily:rolleyes: Also,the weather turned crap with the snow and coupled with that we had hundreds of daffy pickers in the fields round us (commercial crop) which means loads more traffic and spooky things, bags/portaloos/gas guns and random people popping up in odd places lol. I just seemed the right time to stop and I dont have long to go now anyway, tbh i really didnt think id carry on as long as i have but my mare is a total gem.
 
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