Horse riding and pregnancy?

malodorantemelly · 2006-11-30T11:08:19+00:00

I am due to go riding this pm. I never miss it for anything as I love it too much, but there is a chance I could be just pregnant, and I do not know if I should go or not? Should I make my excuses and wait until I know for sure or should I just carry on as normal?

Enid · 30/11/2006 11:09

I wouldn't have thought a fall would harm you this early on?

is it likely you will fall?

McDreamy · 30/11/2006 11:12

I carried on until I knew I def was pregnant other wise I would have had to give up riding 6 months before I even became pregnant. But I understand your dilema.

Original poster

malodorantemelly · 30/11/2006 11:13

Actually I am more worried about just normal bumping about on the saddle, from cantering or jumping - I'm not intending to fall off!!

I just am particularly careful about myself when pregnant so wouldn't go if it was in any way detrimental

OP posts:

podglet · 30/11/2006 11:31

Hi,

My aunt has several horses and works with them too. she rode until at least half way through her pregnancies with both my cousins. not sure how advisable this is but she was fine - she would have been an extra in Braveheart on horseback if she hadn't been 5 months pg and looked a bit obvious!

Madigan · 02/12/2006 14:23

Hi there,
this is a difficult one, when you adore riding (as I do). But the problem is that you can never predict if you are going to fall off. Your horse might spook, or behave unpredictably, even if its usually a docile plodder. If you do fall, then I don't think that can be a good thing if you were pregnant - no matter what stage of pregnancy.
I was actually advised by Zita West not to ride at all while ttc - but this is a bit too draconian, in my view ....

Quootiepie · 02/12/2006 14:25

I wouldnt... if you fall off, its one hell of a fall. I just did gentle hacking (just walking) but even stopped that after a while.

Quootiepie · 02/12/2006 14:27

even cantering and jumping is a bit of banging about, without falling off! I would 100% rule out jumping, 99% of my falls are whilst jumping!

Rachee · 02/12/2006 22:23

Hi, when i was pg, the eggs died and i wasn't misscarrying, so i asked the nurse if i could bring on a m/c.....

i said horse-riding,jogging, scuba etc, but she said NOTHING would bring it on, unless it was going to happen naturally. not even hot curry's or hot baths.....

So, it makes no odds about the bumping around. i am TTC and still riding. but must admit if i think i am PG i don't go.....

xXx

WeFrizyouamerrychristmas · 02/12/2006 22:24

No crack on, I was doing flip falls at Aikido for 4 weeks before I realised I was pregnant last time, dd2 is a healthy 9mth old!

realjolly · 02/12/2006 23:02

In this early stage they are rather well protected in the lower pelvis....but, once you know you are pg for definate, then I suppose you might want to stop, just because you would worry about it anyway!
But really those lil ones are far hardier then they are given their due, and as mentioned before, unless it wasn't ment to be, nothing is gonna budge them!

Original poster

malodorantemelly · 03/12/2006 19:53

Thanks for the advice. I actually did go, no jumping and didn't fall off, but did get a little stomach ache, so took it very easy.

Lesson is cancelled next week, so will know before my next one, and will not go if I am.

OP posts:

pedilia · 03/12/2006 20:05

I have horses and was riding up to 7 1/2 months, but only on my old boy who is as safe as houses. I only stopped because I was struggling to get on and off.

I was however invovled in a nasty car crash two weeks ago so maybe I should not be driving

ohnelly · 15/08/2009 19:53

Hi I wouldnt worry in very early pregnancy as long as you are sensible. Dont ride any new horses, jump or go galloping! Im going riding 2moro & im 8 weeks pregnant - cant wait!

skihorse · 15/08/2009 20:05

As per realjolly, for the first 3 months the foetus is extremely well protected by your pelvic region. I ran this by a sporty doctor who assured me that in the first 3 months if you're going to miscarry - you're going to miscarry and nothing can stop or prevent it. With respect to your pelvic region - he said only a rupturing of the pelvic region with a sharp object could shift it! (E.g., falling on your javelin!)

I rode when I was pregnant and had an early-mc, but this was nothing to do with riding. When you lose them in the first 3 months it's most likely to be due to chromosomal abnormalities.

I will ride until I no longer feel comfortable or cannot "get my leg over" . My girl is 17.2hh and tbh my biggest problem will be getting on.

Lots of horsey people in the "tackroom" section if you're searching.

skihorse · 15/08/2009 20:06

For the record - I've ridden AND skiied today and I "might" be pregnant...

SilverStuddedBlue · 15/08/2009 23:26

Getting off is the problem - with all that extra weight. I used to dismount onto the large straw bales (a tip from watching a 96 yr old lady who rides daily!) I only walked and trotted til full term.

My horse is insanely jealous of dd - a case of inter-species sibling rivalry.

Someone I know was kicked in the belly by her horse, in the field, at 7 months. Luckily no harm to pregnancy. Accidents occur unmounted too.

You'll naturally avoid anything that involves leaning forward - when bump meets pommel. Didn't Mary King win European champs 6 months PG?

SilverStuddedBlue · 15/08/2009 23:27

And buy a bigger body protector - essential.

hambler · 16/08/2009 00:21

I rode till well into all my pregnancies

skihorse · 16/08/2009 06:42

Did she really SilverStud? Wow, what a lady! Kudos to you for making it all the way.

That's a great tip about dismounting on to bales, thanks!

One from me: A saddlecloth with "picnic pockets" so you don't need to dismount to grab water!

SHARPIEGIRL · 02/09/2009 11:47

Hi all - I rode until 26 weeks - and only stopped as the horse was lame from an accident in the field. But I would say that I always wore a back protector which also covered most of my front, avoided jumping and also only cantered on uphill slopes (so could get out of the saddle). It kept me sane and fit and my doctor was supportive. My confidence was down to my 'star' of a horse - I trust him totally. My last horse has a screw loose and I wouldnt have ridden him at all from the time I knew I was pregnant. Hope this helps!

kayla19 · 18/03/2011 11:36

Ive read all the comments but still unsure wether to tide or not iv gt a 17.1 shire x cob he is bargey at times bt that the worst i neva dun hugh jumps or galloped him i dnt really canta him jst hacks and go round the school n do tiny jumps (cuz he cnt jump hes nt a jumpy horse) mi main wurry is hes started doin lil bucks wen u whip him there nt big at all u dnt fink he can lift his own weight and im 6weeks gone. Can any 1 helpp :-)

kayla19 · 18/03/2011 11:36

Ive read all the comments but still unsure wether to tide or not iv gt a 17.1 shire x cob he is bargey at times bt that the worst i neva dun hugh jumps or galloped him i dnt really canta him jst hacks and go round the school n do tiny jumps (cuz he cnt jump hes nt a jumpy horse) mi main wurry is hes started doin lil bucks wen u whip him there nt big at all u dnt fink he can lift his own weight and im 6weeks gone. Can any 1 helpp :-)

SlightlyBabyCrazed · 18/03/2011 11:40

This thread is a few years old, but, being horsey very interested to read!

I think common sense is what's called for - I intend to carry on riding until bump gets in the way - don't want to sell my horses, but also don't want them to mooch about unused - they're far too expensive to keep for just looking at!

AlpinePony · 18/03/2011 14:22

Well don't whip him then Kayla!

Stinkyminkymoo · 18/03/2011 19:56

Yes, Mary King did compete whilst pregnant at Burghley and again at Branham whilst with her 2nd child.