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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 307
Location: Florida | Hello, all :) Been MIA for a while, some time out of the country, then wedding planning and now... baby time! So, I have seen/heard some mixed info on riding while pregnant... I'm about 10 1/2 weeks, now, just barely beginning to show, (looks more like too much Taco Bell than a baby bump still!  ) So, that info being said- I know running isn't smart, but have any of you been pregnant and still at least eased around on a horse? I spoke to a woman the other day that rode throughout her ENTIRE PREGNANCY, like conception to delivery, she was in the saddle, lol. Then I've heard some ladies say as soon as they found out they didn't get into the saddle until post-delivery. Anyone have opinions or info? |
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 Expert
Posts: 1218
Location: Great NW | Listen to your body it will know when you should stop. With my first I competed thru my 7th month. then rode thru to the day I delivered. At the end they were easy rides - nothing hard. I was back competing 2 weeks after delivery. Now the second child my body only allowed me to ride to about 3 months or so. I did not get back on a horse until 3 weeks after delivery. I am no docter so I would definately let your Dr, know what you are doing. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 540
 
Location: My own little world :) | I rode when I was pregnant until I was about 5 or 6 months along. I stopped because I started to just feel unbalanced in my saddle...and I felt like I was too fat for it :( And I was also riding a green broke 3 year old and 4 year old. Also, I think the timing of my pregnancy hindered my riding. I got pregnant about this time of year last year so the weather didn't really permit me to ride and I didn't think it was a good idea to ride babies out by myself in the snow and ice. So when spring came around and I was ready to ride again I wasn't as used to it. I remember trotting while checking calves and I would get kind of sore down there in the pelvic region like I was just getting jiggled too much. But if you ride regularly I don't see why you couldn't keep riding. One weird thing that happened to me while I was pregnant was I kind of got scared or at least very cautious around the horses...which I never thought would happen to me...horses have never scared me. I think its just something about being a mommy that makes you want to protect that baby completely. Around March I got knocked over by a cow we had and she sent me rolling down a hill a little ways and after that I just didn't think being around big animals was worth it.
I think if you are currently riding regularly you should keep doing it if you have a really dependable horse. I think riding helps you keep those deep muscles in shape that will sometime soon help you deliver the baby. Also, when your feet start to hurt its nice to still be kind of active but not have to be on your feet in order to do it.
All in all I was bummed that I didn't get to ride for so long but once they put that baby in your arms nothing else matters and all those extra precautions were worth it. Good luck with your pregnancy! Enjoy it while it lasts....it goes by way too fast! Horses will always be there to play with but the time you have with you children is somewhat limited :) |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 307
Location: Florida | Y'all just made my day! Its my exercise (to an extent), and stress relief! THANK YOU!   |
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 What About Beer?
Posts: 2412
Location: So. Cali | I rode with both pregnancies till I was about 9 weeks (I'm pregnant now) I would have ridden till 12 weeks but I just didn't have any good races to attend. My Dr. always told me that the baby is protected by your pelvis during the first trimester so it would have to be a really bad wreck for something to happen. I figured after the first trimester and the baby wasn't as well protected that the risk wasn't worth it. Besides the fact that I wouldn't feel balanced enough to ride with this big ol belly LOL.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 540
Location: My own little world :) | rach.k - 2013-11-19 6:40 PM
Y'all just made my day! Its my exercise (to an extent ), and stress relief! THANK YOU!
Good to hear!! Riding horses feeds the soul right!?!?! ;) Just be careful and have a good time! |
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Expert
Posts: 1543
Location: MI | I'm 15 wks and was out riding yesterday. I'm not showing much, so there's not too much to jiggle. I also didn't push it at all - just walk/trot. I hope to keep it up, but generally get some pretty nasty pelvic pain soon that worsens horribly with riding. Just going carefully...but enough to keep the mare up and me sane.
Congrats on your babe :)
ETA...the 3yo colt is on a break though. And if you don't feel comfortable at any time, get off!
Edited by Ridenrun4745 2013-11-19 8:20 PM
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 Veteran
Posts: 222
Location: Texas | With my daughter I rode everyday multiple horses until a couple of days before I was induced. With my son I rode multiple horses until I was 5 months then plodded along on my lesson horse until I was 6 months after that I couldn't ride bc of how my son was positioned. It hurt bc he was carrying so low. My doctor was very anti horses and didn't even wante leading them. However my nurse practitioner was a qh breeder and understood that riding and training was what we did for a living and there was no way I could stay away from horses. Her advice was as long as I was doing what my body was used to ( I was not running barrels at the time never went faster then a lope and I did not jump) I would be ok. I only rode good minded horses and knew my limits. As I got bigger I switched to hubby's roping saddles so I could fit lol. No one can tell you what's best for your body. Only you know what feels right and you should discuss everything with a doctor. It's an added risk and you need to be realistic at what could possibly happen and how you would handle it. Congrats on your little bundle of joy!!!! |
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | I rode till I couldn't throw my saddle on and then I was good for short and shorter rides. I was happy if I could walk my horse back to the barn I just had to. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2258
| I rode until about a week before due date, I trimmed feet on my broodies until I was about 7 months had to stop because I couldn't breath well with that big belly. I had a very easy pregnancy and was back on a horse two weeks after. I think as long as you are comfortable and everything is going good it shouldn't be a problem. |
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 Worst.Housekeeper.EVER.
Location: Missouri | Ask your doctor. Mine was okay with it for a while, but said the risk is from trauma to the baby, which increases as you and the baby grow and they don't have all that space/cushion to protect them. I quit when he said to b/c I wanted to continue seeing him.
With all three of my babies, I rode until around 16 weeks. I felt like giving it up after that time was a small sacrifice compared to the risk. Plus I felt big, fat, and entirely unbalanced. 
Edited by just4fun 2013-11-21 12:56 PM
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 Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | I love my horses as much as anyone....but, I could never accept the risk involved. I have gone from riding everyday to not riding at all and I don't consider it that big of a sacrifice. My babies are such a blessing and difficult for me to conceive I would never forgive myself if something happened. I had four different horses fall with me either in competition or during a workout last year.....just not worth it.
Driving a car is a necessary risk.....riding a horse is not. |
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 Ima Fickle Fan
Posts: 3547
Location: Texas | I rode till about 6 months with my first pregnancy. Your ligaments start to loosen up and it was just painful at that point. At this time, I was riding a 15 year old gelding and knew he was safe.
I am pregnant again. With this one, I stopped at 5 months (am 6 months now). The last time I rode, we had just got my horse back from the trainer and I wanted to try out the improvements. I was fine walking and trotting, but loping made me realize my balance was off. Between the time change, younger horse, and weather, I figured I was done for now.
During the first trimester, the baby is really protected. I didn't start showing with either one until 18-19 weeks. The belly never got to be an issue too much, but I stopped before I'd have problems mounting, etc.
Your body will tell you when to stop. And as long as you are riding a safe horse, your doctor shouldn't have a problem with it. |
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Nut Case Expert
Posts: 9305
Location: Tulsa, Ok | rachellyn80 - 2013-11-20 8:22 AM I love my horses as much as anyone....but, I could never accept the risk involved. I have gone from riding everyday to not riding at all and I don't consider it that big of a sacrifice. My babies are such a blessing and difficult for me to conceive I would never forgive myself if something happened. I had four different horses fall with me either in competition or during a workout last year.....just not worth it.
Driving a car is a necessary risk.....riding a horse is not.
In a healthy pregnancy, riding itself is probably not too risky. It is the "what ifs" that pose the threat. Horses are flight animals and the most solid can have a moment - that is all it takes. Any horse can stumble and fall.
When you conceive you become responsible for the life of another human being. Could you live with the consequences if the unthinkable happened?? Is a few months of not riding all that big a sacrifice to insure the health of a child you chose to create? |
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I Need a Xanax!
Posts: 2774
| rachellyn80 - 2013-11-20 8:22 AM
I love my horses as much as anyone....but, I could never accept the risk involved. I have gone from riding everyday to not riding at all and I don't consider it that big of a sacrifice. My babies are such a blessing and difficult for me to conceive I would never forgive myself if something happened. I had four different horses fall with me either in competition or during a workout last year.....just not worth it.
Driving a car is a necessary risk.....riding a horse is not.
My thoughts exactly. I rode when I was pregnant with my first until just a couple weeks before I had him but then when I was pregnant with my 2nd I realized how precious those babies are and wanted to do everything possible to protect my baby so I didn't ride the whole 9 months and that was a very minor sacrifice I made. I could never have lived with myself if I had a horse riding accident and hurt my unborn baby. |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | You'll be the only one who can answer that question.
There IS risk to the unborn child if you fall off the horse or get into a wreck. No question about that.
I've not had children yet, but plan to in the future. I have made the decision that I will ride as long as my balance stays intact and my belly doesn't get too big for the saddle.
But I certainly will not look down on someone who chooses not to ride at all while they are pregnant.
And on that same token, I would not allow them to look down on me for choosing to ride.
It's a very personal decision to make and only you can make it. Everyone's pregnancy will be different. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 262
| I didn't ride once I found out with either pregnancy. My husband requested that I didn't and out of respect for him I didn't. Also we struggled for 5 years to get pregnant and I was extremely blessed and grateful to be pregnant and I thought I could give it up for 9 months to protect my baby. Someone once told me don't do pregnant what you wouldn't do with your newborn so riding, drinking, smoking, etc ... you would just look crazy if you rode a horse with your newborn strapped on. Also when I was 3 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child and before I knew I was pregnant I got bucked off hard at an NBHA show. I was able to compete the rest of the day but once I found out I was pregnant I stopped. Luckily it didn't affect my pregnancy or baby. I was tempted a few times to ride my sisters old and steady quarter horse but I would have been devasted had something happened to jeopardize my baby so I didn't. I did continue to do my horse chores and the nights in the barn cleaning and feeding were my zen. As a matter of fact my water broke while feeding hay during my second pregnancy. So I guess what I'm saying is it's up to each individualto decide what works for them and their family and what they can live with. Congratulations by the way. It is a blessing! And it is amazing to watch your kids fall in love with horses just like you did! |
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 Expert
Posts: 2128
| YES! I am 31 weeks and havent ridden latley due to being too busy but I would hop on a horse I trust today and ease around. I competed a few times during this summer, and breezed/worked my horse in the practice pen until about August. I quit then because it was so hot I became dizzy very easily. Thats personal preferance. Also, my baby bump is still not very big. If it were I think I would be more hesitant to do much in fear of hitting the saddle horn or something.
Do what you are comfortable with and feel safe doing. I had people that made comments about me riding that worked my nerves a bit. At the end of the day its your body, baby, and choice. :) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1034
| Welcome to motherhood, when everyone knows what's best for you and isn't afraid to say it. LOL!! I'm not kidding.
I have four. I rode with the first all the way through. Didn't compete because my barrel horse at that time was a crazy bitch who would just as soon run me through a fence.
This last one I competed until about 6 months because my barrel horse is broke broke broke (18 yr old NRCHA Snaffle Bitter who I can put my younger daughter on for lead line). But my ligaments were super loose and my balance was off so I quit riding until after delivery.
Each pregnancy and situation is different. YOU decide what's best. and don't let others make you feel guilty or less-than for what that decision is. |
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BHW's Simon Cowell
Location: The Saudia Arabia of Wind Energy, Western Oklahoma | Why take the chance? You have your whole life to ride. I rode during my pregnancy and it was one of the worst mistakes I have ever made in my life. After I had my child I was just sick that I taken such an uneccessary chance. |
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Veteran
Posts: 223
Location: Louisiana | ksjackofalltrades - 2014-10-20 1:17 PM
Why take the chance? You have your whole life to ride. I rode during my pregnancy and it was one of the worst mistakes I have ever made in my life. After I had my child I was just sick that I taken such an uneccessary chance.
This exactly - Why take a chance!!! |
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Veteran
Posts: 238
| You all realize this thread is a year old? You are bashing on someone who had her child long ago? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1034
| Oh HAHAHAHAAAA!!! I thought this sounded familiar... |
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Barrel racing mamas!