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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Horse riding whilst pregnant

18 replies

SlightlyBabyCrazed · 19/06/2012 22:16

Are there any horsey peeps around? I'm only
6 weeks and still riding, just plodding and flat schooling- no jumping :(

Just wondering if there are any tips or do's and don'ts I should consider?

Many thanks

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
MoonlightandRoses · 19/06/2012 22:31

Well, yes, I've done this - (only rode till about 12 weeks though) but, you need to read up on the potential risks for you and the baby and decide whether you and your DP are comfortable for you to continue.

Might be worth posting in The Tack Room topic too for more replies. And recent similar thread to your dilemma here

Congratulations BTW. Grin

Pickles77 · 19/06/2012 22:37

Don't crucify me here guys.
I'm 25 + 5 and today and everyday I've been riding 3 (more or less) racehorses and full paces. Admittedly I didn't find out I was pg until I was 21 weeks and have been lucky.
I love riding, and I've been very careful what I get on. But I think it's helped with my confidence during pregnancy and helped me realise how my body is changing. Although I'm not really showing yet.
Tomorow is my last day as I am finding it uncomfortable. But I think if u enjoy it and you feel safe and have no complications there is no reason not too....

cazboldy · 19/06/2012 22:40

I did until 14 wks with my first as nobody knew, and i didn't want to tell them, but then when the others came along i realised what i was risking if that makes sense? and didn't ride, but hopped on asap afterwards Grin

SlightlyBabyCrazed · 19/06/2012 22:46

Hmm, thank you for replies. My next dilemma is what to do with my ggs whilst I can't ride! Am advertising one for sale, but not much moving at mo Sad

OP posts:
chalat · 19/06/2012 22:46

A friend's sister, a good rider with a lot of experience, tragically was fatally injured in a fall whilst out riding. She was about 4-5 months pregnant. Be wise, be safe. Even on the steadiest mount, accidents can happen.

horseygeorgie · 19/06/2012 22:51

I rode all the way through until a day before i went in for induction. Mainly at a walk past about 8 months as it was a bit uncomfortable doing anything more but in the early stages i was doing all paces (not jumping). I had a mare i could trust as much as you can trust, but do be aware of how much your balance alters. Plus finding maternity jodhs just won't happen! I found it harder and more worrying doing lunging etc.

monstergoose · 20/06/2012 00:52

I gave up about a week after getting my BFP-I was just constantly worried when I was out riding (and I'm not a nervous rider!) that I was going to come off. That in turn made more lively-it was a vicious circle! I think it depends on the horse as well-mine was quite a jittery lady (5yo ex racer) but probably would have carried on much longer if she was more of a plod. I shared her with her owner who knew I was trying to get preg and so was expecting me to give her up at some point! With regards to what to do with them what about loaning them out with the proviso that they stay on the same yard (so you can keep an eye and have some input) If you still want to do the yard work and just give up the riding I'm sure someone on your yard might know someone who is keen to ride them. I found my share by word of mouth but there are quite a few websites around as well (google horse share/horse to loan)

Picklelilli · 20/06/2012 04:51

First time round My midwife said I was fine riding up to 6 months but just be careful dismounting banging bump. However I decide after te first scan that the little bean was too precious to risk. I was lucky that my horse can also be driven so hubby was able to give her some exercise. This time round she is enjoying a summer off.

Minstrelsaremarvellous · 20/06/2012 06:07

I rode until 12wks with DD1 and then my body took over and instinctively said 'no'. A friend ride until she was 5mths but she found it uncomfortable and so stopped. No jumping but hacking, schooling etc..

Hermionewastherealhero · 20/06/2012 06:43

I always thought I would ride to the end, but at 5 months I felt baby moving around when I was out hacking and I just got off and walked my pony home. Friend and sister now keeping mine fit for me, I am really missing it but still see them twice a day and do all the curse, plus we have bought niece a 4 yr old so doing lots of ground work and inhand stuff with her.

Sparklesandglitter · 20/06/2012 07:12

I'm 31 weeks am am still riding although mainly just walk now due to balance issues!!harry hall do some really stretchy jods with an elasticated waist which are fab for a growing bump and cheap too! I stopped competing about 8weeks ago as my kit doesnt fit Blush but just do what is right for you!!Smile

Equimum · 20/06/2012 07:39

I'm 12+ weekss and initially did the same as you - gentle schooling, but I stopped about two weeks ago. While plenty of people do ride, I started to realise that I would never forgive myself if I fell and something happened to the baby. I also realised that I might struggle to forgive my gorgeous horse too, and there was no way I want that. While no horse iss 100% I was quite realistic. I have quite a sharp competition horse and just thought the potential risk was too great for me to handle. saying that, though, lots of website say the risks to the baby is quite low up until 12 weeks due to it being so low in the pelvis.

We've now found a sharer and if this iss something you may need to consider, now might be the time toss tart looking.....it ok us several weekss to sort this.

It's not an easy decision to make, and I missss riding my boy do much, but it hassn't stopped me suspending time with him. Good luck making the decision.

CakeBump · 20/06/2012 11:09

I'm 14 weeks and have just come back from riding my friend's horse.

I stick to walk and trot, and just hack out, but to be honest that's more indicative of the fact I'm a bit of a wuss, rather than anything to do with being pregnant :)

I plan to carry on as long as I am physically able. I might have to enlist DP's help in getting on and off though, eventually...

horseylady · 20/06/2012 11:38

21 weeks still riding and competing. Stopped jumping when I found out I was expecting as mine is stupid to jump!! Only riding my two though. Also hill walking etc. Mw said so long as I was careful and comfortable to continue. Keeps me fit!

AdiVic · 20/06/2012 11:39

Hello - I posted the same question on the horse and hound website when i was P with DD1 (knew I'd get reasonable pro riding answers). I rode 1st Pregnancy until 4 months, horse was a little unpredictable and I got thrown off at 4 months at high speed, luckily all was fine. That experience scared me and with my 2nd pregnancy I didn't ride, I was really careful and all went horribly wrong at 17 weeks, and that was that.

My 3rd P I rode until 5 months. I made the choice that what will be will be, and my body was well used to it. My horse is a tall boy, and spooks and larks about, but not nasty, or in the habit of dumping me. I cantered for the last time at 3 months though, and from then went on walking hacks. I mucked out 2 stables every day until 9 months. My doc said this would all do me good as it would keep me fit.

My 1st labour was 6 hours after being induced, 2nd was 1.5hrs and I felt as fit and strong as ever - i think this helped me deliver, and cope in labour as i felt so physically capable. If it hadn't have been for breast feeding I would have been back on the next day.

You have to trust the horse, and accept that IF you came off, you could cope with the thought COULD you have prevented it. Also, riding and doing exercise is good for you in pregnancy, and riding was the onlyt hing that stopped my morning sickness - I would feel bad, then the second I was on board, I felt fine - weird.

You will know when it is right to stop, i pulled a ligament in my lower abdomen and it hurt! That's when I stopped. Good lcuk and enjoy your quiet rides and your pregnancy

SlightlyBabyCrazed · 20/06/2012 12:07

Thank you for the balanced responses, (un) fortunately I have my own yard and so do it all myself and have very occasional friends visit to hack out with me. I guess my main problem is not wanting to tell people yet, so struggling how to advertise loan etc.
Will probably only ride for a few more weeks, don't mind my mare sitting idle but my boy is only 12 and really wants to be out competing! If any of you are south east....!

OP posts:
JRsandCoffee · 20/06/2012 12:33

I'd just play it sensible, try not to do too much heavy stuff round the yard and generally avoid riding nutters or anything with form for tripping as once you get a bit bigger your balance does go a bit and you might find you lurch more on a stumble. They do say that if you've been doing it you can generally keep doing it provided you don't stop.

My old instructor got off pretty much to give birth, and gave up jumping when the bump bashing on the cantle became too uncomfortable.......I think that is at the extreme end of the scale. A friend rode pretty much up until she gave birth (rather prematurely but that was unconnected) and I had an interesting moment heaving her back on after a cake stop the week before the birth!!!

I've given up because I'm a geriatric who has been very much medically assisted and I have THE FEAR. I'm not at all sure the stress of not having my daily horse fix is not worse than anything I might do to myself riding sensibly.......

elastamum · 20/06/2012 12:50

Rode up to 6 months with my first, my lovely horse was a bit sharp though so I stopped when my bump used to get left behind if she jumped around!

With DS2 I stopped after about 6 weeks as my back went. The thing to watch is the closer you get to birth the more your ligaments soften to allow your pelvis to expand so it is easy to wreck your back. This can particularly be a problem after baby is born so be really careful starting to do too much early on after baby is born.

Oh and women who ride a lot usually have a cast iron pelvic floor, so you might have a longer labour than you expect, I did !Grin

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