Horse riding

[Bails2014]

I'm 12 weeks, I found out at 5 weeks and due to sheer panic I stopped riding my horse, she's good but I didn't want to go out doing my usual galloping and jumping so I told friend's I'd hurt my back and couldn't ride.

Well, my beloved other half realised I was going mad not riding so yesterday he came to the stables with me, tacked up my horse after 6 weeks off and we took her out for a ride, bless him he walked in front of me with the dog and she followed his every move.

I am so pleased to be back on my horse, just going to take her out for the odd plod once or twice a week but I am so pleased with how chilled out she is.

We're going out again next Sunday and he's requested the mountain bike, he really is one in a million!

That's lovely of him. I am still riding at almost 13 weeks but only my welsh cob, not my highly strung hunter! I am hacking out a few times a week. With my first baby I stopped at 20 weeks but hoping to ride a bit longer this time.. Husband much more laid back with DC2!

I didn't stop until I was 7 months! Think my horses legs nearly gave in under my weight!

When I got back on after giving birth, she went mental :-|

I stopped at 20 weeks this time, but that was due to pelvic pain rather than anything else - I'd have kept going if I could!

My plan for returning to riding post baby is to either find a sharer for her to keep her ticking over or just to rough her off until spring (due end of October) and then pay the yard bring her back into work for a couple of weeks, I have no idea how I'm going to find time to ride with a baby, might have to do some de-spooking work with the pram in the school!

It's up to you, but it sounds like some sensible flat work would be beneficial all round. My mare was retired before I became pg but I still rode till 25 weeks with DS1 - till my instructor was more paranoid than me (even tho I know she rode till her bump was on the pommel). Well done your OH!

I stopped jumping as soon as I found out I was pregnant, but carried on with flat work until I was about 5 months. I stopped at that point partly because my bump was getting bigger and it was harder to dismount without knocking it, and partly because DH was really paranoid I'd fall off and hurt myself or the baby. I figured that it will only be a short break (hopefully!) and I'll be back on board soon (baby due mid June).

A friend from my riding club has been riding him for me, although can't manage so often anymore, so I figure we'll just get fit together once I can get back on! Will probably pay the groom at my yard to exercise some of the fizz out before I get on for the first time post birth though!

I think the fact im still riding is the reason hormones haven't given me a total meltdown yet. I'm 35 weeks with a smallish bump, i just dismount by flinging my leg over the neck rather than the bum. Didn't find out until i was 22 weeks, stopped jumping a week later until then i was riding some bonkers JA, ex racers and event horses but have taken to riding the chilled out happy hackers etc.

i still feel safe and comfortable in the saddle and baby seems to go to sleep when in on board - as opposed to being a wriggly little wriggler the rest of the time.

ive kind of taken the attitude that a happy mam helps make a chilled baby and both my midwife & consultant have yet to tell me to stop.

enjoy it

What a lovely OH you have OP! I am very jealous as I am desperate to ride... havent ridden my boy since April 2013 properly as he injured his check ligament. We had a very long re-hab with lots of setbacks and was in the middle of another set-back when I fell pregnant, but I was riding him (45 mins walk and trot). Unfortunately though he is just too exhuberant and unpredictable so as soon as I found out I stopped. We have been going for in hand walks as I do need to keep up his leg strengthening which is keeping us both fit. I'm now 20 weeks and not very big at all and plan to keep walking him in hand until term if I can.