Last riding lesson before ivf

[Northey]

I start the stimming drugs in the next couple of days, and have been warned off exercise whilst on them, so tomorrow is my last lesson. I have only been riding since the summer, but I am making progress, damn it, and now it's all going to dwindle away.

If ivf works, I don't think I could bear to risk anything. And if it fails, I think a lot of joy will vanish from everything for a while, so even though I could start lessons again it won't be the same.

I will miss it. And I will miss my horse even though she is an insolent ancient RS mare who couldn't care less if she sees me or not

[chocolatecakeystuff]

Good luck with the ivf.

You'll be back in the saddle given time x x

[DolomitesDonkey]

I'm up your m&d's way in a couple of weeks if you want to talk MOG PONIEZ!

Good luck with IVF!

[horseylady]

Good luck!!

[Northey]

Ooh, I would, dd! When? And where are you going to be?

I had such a good lesson - I finally worked out how to keep my arse in the saddle at the canter, instead of flailing madly like usual. Anyway, I talked it all through with the yard, and am going to try a very very gentle hack next week - walking only, on a bombproof horse, early in the week before the drugs have really built up. This might be a really stupid thing to do, but I do sort of think it might be all right.

[dubbada]

Just wanted to say I had to do the same thing, it's only for a short time fingers crossed if works but I'm back in the saddle and to be honest it's been great the boys have enjoyed a rest I've enjoyed the grooming etc with no pressure.

I know some choose to ride but if something happened you wouldn't forgive yourself I've is hard enough.

Best of luck

[DolomitesDonkey]

I will be there 11-15 up by the showground.

Tbh I'm not sure how the drugs could adversely affect your riding unless your balance gets shot or something. I can't imagine dildo cam with a leg in plaster would be much fun!

[Northey]

It's more that your ovaries are all massive and swollen and you musn't do anything that bounces or twists them. And I am woefully bouncy and twisty whenever I try anything new or fast. But a nice gentle walk would surely be ok.

[DolomitesDonkey]

Ouch. :( Sounds potentially very painful. A nice, gentle walk down country lanes might be exactly the thing you need to take your mind off it. I always felt much happier in the saddle, those were the moments I could forget the rest.

Maybe take a bottle of water with you? I remember feeling SOOO thirsty when my hormones were mucking around - I actually had to get off and look for water!

[Northey]

Good idea. I am going to see how I cope with the first few days of injections, and then phone the stables to arrange if I feel up to it.

[Twattybollocks]

I was told I was ok to ride and exercise normally until 3 days before egg retrieval, but in fairness it was too uncomfortable to do anything faster than walk after about a week of stims. That was last may. Dd is now 19 days old and I'm itching to get back in the saddle, but my poor undercarriage isn't quite up to the challenge just yet. Like you after going through so much to get pregnant I wasn't prepared to chance anything, particularly as dhorse isn't known for being bombproof and at 17.2 the floor is a long way away!

[Northey]

Had embryo transfer today, so in two weeks will know whether I can hop straight back on, or whether I'm off for a good while longer. twatty, did you ride at all during your actual pregnancy?

[Twattybollocks]

Fx you are as lucky as we were and it works first time for you! I did ride a handful of times up to about 15 weeks, instructor would school him, I would get on first and warm him up in walk, lateral work, bending etc in the school. He's 100% reliable in walk!