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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

Riding when pregnant???

36 replies

sasamaxx · 29/09/2010 19:21

Just had a BFP - supposed to be riding tonight. I think I've decided against it - does anyone have any thoughts on this???

OP posts:
dikkertjedap · 29/09/2010 21:57

My mom rode when 5 months pregnant, against doctors advice. Horse was too much of a handful, so she got off and got kicked in her stomach. My sister has major damage to her face as a result.

So, I don't think it is just the riding what might be an issue, but the fact that if you are unlucky (and to be truthful my mom is very good with horses, she knows a hell of a lot about them, and trained them most of her life), you might get kicked.

Original poster
sasamaxx · 29/09/2010 22:05

OMG that's scary!!
I didn't ride anyway but boy am I going to miss it Sad

OP posts:
galonthefarm · 29/09/2010 22:15

I rode til about 4.5 months. I spoke to my doctor after a month who basically said - riding in itself ok at start as baby protected by pelvis but don't fall off or injure yourself!! which if you know horses is quite a rubbish think to say as you don't know whats going to happen!

for me, I didn't jump or gallop after finding out was pregnant, but I trusted my horse out on gentle hacks til 4.5 months when couldn't do up jods anymore!

everyone different, I know people who haven't ridden at all and others who have nearly til they've popped! just stick to your guns

maryz · 29/09/2010 22:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

onimolap · 29/09/2010 22:31

I was told it's safe for the first few months (+/-3) when the baby is still completely encased in the pelvis, and so is protected all round even if you fall. One you grow beyond this (ie are clearly showing) then it becomes a Bad Idea.

Original poster
sasamaxx · 29/09/2010 22:52

Thanks maryz Smile

Cheers for that advice galonthefarm and maryz - good to get other opinions. I have the option of getting to ride a plodder if I want to. Think I'll give it some thought. Instructor at the stables says after 10 wks is probably a bit safer as pregnancy a bit more established...

OP posts:
fuschiagroan · 29/09/2010 22:54

Yeah it's fine as long as you don't fall off, but how can you tell? Best avoid, I think

Original poster
sasamaxx · 29/09/2010 23:20

Good points onimolap and fuschiagroan.

Lesley Regan's book says it's OK up to 3 mths but doesn't really say anything about falling...

OP posts:
dikkertjedap · 30/09/2010 11:39

I think that it is a very small change that it goes wrong, like with my mom. But I also know that she will never forgive herself for it as everyday she has seen my sister struggle, being teased, not getting jobs, not having a boy friend(face is very disfigured and cannot really be operated on because the big risk that she would become blind or worse).

Callisto · 30/09/2010 13:27

I don't remember ever once considering whether to stop riding or not. I rode all the way through my pregnancy, right up until I couldn't physically get on anymore because the bump was getting in the way - somewhere around 7-8 months I think.

It crossed my mind that I might fall off, but I know how well protected in utero babies are. Plus pre-pregnancy I heard a lady on the radio talking about how she lost her baby because some idiotic commuter elbowed her in her bump on the tube. I figured I was safer on my hunters anyway.

What happened to Dikkertjedaps mum was tragic, but also a million to one accident. You could fall downstairs, have a car crash, trip over the pavement....

Mary King competed at Badminton while 8 months pregnant btw.

Ebb · 30/09/2010 15:58

I gave up riding as soon as I knew I was pregnant. I wasn't particularly worried about falling off but I think if I'd mc'd then there would always have been that 'was it because I rode?'.

I've nannied for 2 horsey Mums and one rode for about 4mths but then found her balance wasn't as good so stopped until 6wks post c-sec and the other Mum rode til 8.5mths. I think she was bucked off at 8mths but luckily landed on her feet.

KnitterNotTwitter · 30/09/2010 16:02

Similar but different. I rode a bicycle in London traffic to and from work when pregnant with DS until I was about 12 weeks. then one day as I was cycling home I just felt vulnerable and didn't do it again until after DS was born. Listen to your body and your instincts would be my advice.

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 30/09/2010 20:56

The lady I used to work for rode all through her pregnancy. She was totally blasé. The night after she had been hunting, her baby was born 11 weeks premature. He was in nicu for months, And was very poorly. Her next pregnancy, she still continued to ride. I think she is absolutely mental. Her baby could have died.

AlpinePony · 01/10/2010 07:01

Didn't the girl who won Badminton this year announce her pregnancy just after? i.e., as she was being given her prize! Grin

During the first 3 months the foetus is protected by your body to such an extent that to damage it you would need to pierce your abdomen and the uterus - perhaps don't land on a javelin? If you're going to miscarry you will, and being on a horse will not prevent or add to that and it's misleading to say that it will.

I had a really good pipe-opener on mine at 16 weeks and she is not the easiest ride. I would've ridden more but I had terrible ms and my balance was shot to shit.

Had a walk around the yard at around 6 months and tbh the position was the most comfortable I'd had in months - it really eased my sciata.

I don't think I'm imagining it, but my girl acted differently around me when I was pregnant - she didn't put a foot wrong and was really reluctant to canter. I was leading her across the yard one day and the guard dog jumped out and barked - she jumped but didn't move and then looked at my tummy and touched it with her nose... Post-partum she's back to her old tricks again! Grin

marge2 · 01/10/2010 11:38

My midwife was very horsey and told me to go ahead and ride so long as I felt comfy and trusted my horse not to dump me. She said it was fine to do most things that you body was already used to doing. ( i.e don't TAKE UP riding while preggers)

I trust my girl 99.9999% to be sensible so I rode till about 6 months when it was just too uncomfy and bouncy, as she has (had Sad) quite active paces. No jumping of course though.

I think the key thing is to have a safe horse to ride, not to take any silly risks and not to overdo things.

Callisto · 01/10/2010 13:03

My midwife told me that my perineum was like old boot leather...

Ebb · 01/10/2010 16:16

Callisto My MW told me that too! I pushed for 4hrs before having an episiotomy and DS flew out. I've only ridden twice since having DS so am hoping my nether regions have softened a bit as am currently 34+6 with DC2.

AlpinePony · 01/10/2010 16:41

Whilst I know that a picture of my nether regions will never decorate the Tate... I'd like to think they're more attractive than a tramp's shoe. :( Wink

Abbicob · 01/10/2010 16:58

My MW also told me that horse riders have a harder time giving birth as our pelvic floor is so string and can work against your contractions.

This was very true as I had to have foreceps and 77 stitches afterwards!

AlpinePony · 01/10/2010 17:30

My cervix failed to open - my son came out through the cat-flap.

77 stitches?

marge2 · 01/10/2010 19:27

Yeah - I had forceps with 1st as well. Heaved me up off the bed before they could drag him out! only 1 stitch though Grin

Original poster
sasamaxx · 01/10/2010 23:06

Wow - is horse-riding actually good for your pelvic floor? Fantastic news.
Really enjoying the opinions.
alpinepony A girl round here has an ex racehorse who she thinks protected her when she was pregnant. Apparently said horse tripped and fell onto his knees, but stuck his neck high in the air to catch her, and stop her slipping over the neck. (or something like that...)
It makes sense doesn't it though? Amazing animals Smile

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AlpinePony · 02/10/2010 04:34

sasamaxx - that's a lovely story and I do believe it. It had taken me ages to get pregnant and I think she knew before I did because I was nipping up after work and she kept trying to stick her nose up my skirt. Also going out in the field to catch her one of the geldings (gelded very late at 6 years old) was very protective of me and wouldn't let the others near me which I was very grateful for a few times with bolshy, bargey babies around!

Callisto · 02/10/2010 09:19

Another nice story for you - DD is just starting to canter on her little roly poly pony on the lunge. A couple of weeks ago they were cantering round and DD lost both her stirrups (whilst giggling madly). Her lovely pony felt her starting to slip out of the side door and gently slowed to a halt and turned in to the side she was slipping from. She managed to stay on and I am convinced that the pony did it to stop her falling off.

Ouch at 77 stitches.

marge2 · 02/10/2010 14:57

They really are lovely aren't they. The owner of my first share pony tells a tale of the time she was showjumping as a little girl, was jumped right high out of the saddle, a la Thelwell, and was going to come off, but the pony swerved to 'catch' her.