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The tack room
When should I tell my riding instructor I’m pregnant?
BastianBalthazarBux · 21/01/2018 12:07
Hi everyone. I’ve been having weekly riding lessons for about 5 years now and I’ve just found out I’m pregnant (about 6 weeks). Most of what I’ve read seems to suggest that it’s safe to carry on riding in the first trimester, but I don’t know whether I should tell my instructor yet or not. Part of me thinks that I should be upfront with her (particularly as she is very fond of trotting without stirrups 
) but on the other hand I don’t really want to tell her yet when we aren’t even telling our families until after 12 weeks... Would be really grateful for any advice, thanks 
Eve · 21/01/2018 12:11
Assume it’s not your horse - so will be riding under their insurance?
In which case ASAP as they may well have ruled in place.
And whilst it Maybe safe to ride it’s not safe to fall of and that is unpredictable.
LordEmsworth · 21/01/2018 12:17
Yeah, don't bother telling her. Just risk it - everything will probably be fine 
.
If you've been taught by her for 5 years, you presumably know that you can trust her. Explain that no-one else knows but you want to be sure that it's safe, that she's insured for this, and that she puts in place any precautions recommended.
If you can't trust her, then just skip the next 6 weeks - missing 6 (?) lessons won't be a big issue in the grand scheme of things.
Pasithea · 21/01/2018 12:24
I used to be an instructor and I was always first to know lol. If you’re fit And there are no problems or complications you can ride for as long as you are comfortable or can get on. Your instructor should be able to make allowances and change things as you progress with your pregnancy. Good luck.
Good
MagicFajita · 21/01/2018 12:30
I think you should say something too. Adjustments may need to be made for you and your baby's safety.
I had to tell my supervisor at work at 5 weeks pregnant because I then worked with children that could , on occasion , be unpredictable. I feel that this is vaguely similar in terms of risk , as in it's low risk but something bad could still happen.
Good luck with your pregnancy and congratulations.
MagicFajita · 21/01/2018 12:33
And I'd say that trotting without stirrups is a bit risky while pregnant! Pregnancy can affect your balance significantly and you may fall.
Floralnomad · 21/01/2018 12:40
I rode well into one of my pregnancies but that was on my own horses , I personally wouldn’t have been riding if it were just lessons . For insurance purposes I’d tell them as they can put you on the right horse ( not some nutter ) and adapt the lessons as they think fit .
bobstersmum · 21/01/2018 12:56
If you've been having a weekly lesson for 5 years you must be competent enough to not need to be doing trotting without stirrups? As I remember that was all about improving seat and posture? I would be honest with your instructor.
britnay · 21/01/2018 15:00
hah, I think that no matter how long you have been riding, its always good to work without stirrups every now and then.
Gabilan · 21/01/2018 18:01
I've been riding for nearly 40 years. I still like to take my stirrups away at the start of a schooling session and stretch. Of course the OP doesn't have to and if she tells her instructor the reason, she can stop doing it. No stirrups is valuable at pretty much any stage of riding though.
DiplomaticDecorum · 22/01/2018 20:33
Tell her straight away. If you have an accident she needs to tell the emergency services. It doesn't happen often, but we all know riding increases risk.
DiseasesOfTheSheep · 24/01/2018 12:11
If you've been having a weekly lesson for 5 years you must be competent enough to not need to be doing trotting without stirrups?
Try telling George Morris that!
OP, you should definitely tell her.
BrownEyedGirlv2point0 · 21/02/2018 20:28
Definitely tell her. My polo instructor was the first person outside of DH I told. I had also recently had a very scary accident that had me in the hospital with a concussion so I was not going to risk riding. Just had to tell her I needed a 9 month break :) Congratulations btw!!
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