Riding after baby?

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Riding after baby? Moderators: luluwhit, gotothewhip, cindyt, crossspur, ForumAdmin Jump to page :	Last activity 2016-10-30 1:23 AM 25 replies, 5315 views View previous thread :: View next thread
General Discussion -> Barrel Talk


Peewee212 Reg. Sep 2012	Posted 2016-10-26 10:31 PM Subject: RE: Riding after baby?
Extreme Veteran Posts: 312 Location: KS	I had a baby 8 wks ago, haven't gotton on yet. I had him naturally, honestly think I felt good enough just a few days after too get on, but was told not to push it. Sadly still haven't been able to put in a good ride mainly bc of time, harvest has kept my husband a way and so I have gotten the joy and time to bond with my son. Take advantage of this time, you don't get these days back, my horses will be there in another month, and think their really enjoying all the time off.
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455Rocket Reg. Feb 2007	Posted 2016-10-27 9:15 AM Subject: RE: Riding after baby?
Elite Veteran Posts: 1131	I had our little boy 12 weeks ago yesterday and still haven't got back on. I'm just now feeling like I want to but I did have some complications so that is part of it. Good luck and like everyone else said do what is best for you!
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Rough-up cowgirl Reg. Aug 2005	Posted 2016-10-27 11:01 AM Subject: RE: Riding after baby?
Gotta Have a Gray Posts: 899 Location: Tex. Panhandle	3rd c-section (and last) 3 months ago. I was back riding after 5 weeks. My husband's rule is as soon i can saddle my horses, 1 being over 16 h, that i can ride. If your stomach muscles are not stong enough to hold/carry your saddle then actually saddling a horse is problematic. Now, it took me a good 2-3 weeks to get my balance back. I did nothing but ride for sev weeks. I felt floppy in the saddle due to being unbalanced. Went to my first race last weekend in over 10 months just to do expos and wanting was well worth it. Everyone worked great (including myself)
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roperqueen Reg. Mar 2009	Posted 2016-10-28 10:17 AM Subject: RE: Riding after baby?
Veteran Posts: 186 Location: Good ole SE Mo	rodeoveteran - 2016-10-26 4:49 PM roperqueen - 2016-10-26 8:18 AM Anywho I am a "fair weather" rider and being in Southeast Mo it does get cold and wet here in the winter. But I am going to have to just bundle up and get to riding around the pasture! I am planning on starting around January. HA! You don't know what cold is, LOL. There is a damp cold but it's not really cold until the ground is frozen a couple of feet down. Congrats to all the baby makers out there. I have never had one but been around lots and did have a surgery on my lower abdomen. If you have a C section, wait, and bond with your new baby. Not only is there healing from the surgery but the anesthetic can play havoc with your brain and reaction time. You may be SO overcome with mommy-hormones that barrel racing is something far, far away and not nearly as important as you think now. As for natural birth, those joint loosening hormones are a fact. It's going to depend on time, how hard you work to get back in shape and how your body responds to it all. So give that time too. Then there is the support system. Have a friend that was shocked at how difficult it was to even find time to ride let alone go to a barrel race after she had her son. I tried to warn her... Now enjoy them babies! I know but it's cold to me!!! hahahaha I did hear a rumor that this winter should be average for us and all that good stuff. So not too far below freezing!!
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cecollins0811 Reg. Aug 2013	Posted 2016-10-29 8:46 AM Subject: RE: Riding after baby?
Expert Posts: 1631 Location: Somewhere around here	I had a natural birth with no complications but I did tear "down there" a few inches. My husband recommended that I wait until my 6 week check-up and I'm glad I waited. I eventually got back on around 8 weeks and went for a calm walking trail ride and I was so sore down there, but it was worth it lol. Started riding again somewhere regularly after that but didn't move my way back up to long trotting and loping for about a month. It all depends on you but I do think that you should wait for the doctors OK at your 6 week check-up, just in case. I'm due with my second child at the end of February and for us that's smack dab in the middle of our winter (still high 80s here in Southern CO!) so I'm sure I'll be waiting more on the snow and the cold air to go away before I can even think about riding outside lol.
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bluerose2001 Reg. Mar 2009	Posted 2016-10-30 1:23 AM Subject: RE: Riding after baby?
Certified Snake Wrangler Posts: 1672 Location: North MS	Csection plus preeclampsia. First I had to walk again because they kept me in bed for 2 days after delivery administering magnesium to prevent seizures and then I had to let that wear off. It is amazing how swollen you can get. So I shuffled down the hall. I couldn't believe myself. I literally was working outside in the woods measuring trees (Forester) just the week before. Climbing hill, walking everywhere and very active. Then- could barely walk. So at day 5 after having baby we went home with me shuffling away. (To anyone having a baby let me just say start cooking now especially if it is your first. Fill your freezer with anything and everything already cooked! Plus hire a housekeeper for a month. I am literally kicking myself over this, but I also didn't expect to be induced and have the baby early either). I waited until 8 weeks to get on. I was released at 6, but just couldn't make time until 8 weeks as I was taking a college night course and had final exams. My head was still foggy from lack of sleep. Somebody mentioned the medicines affecting you afterwards and I honestly believe something was affecting me. I was on BP meds for a month. So I got back on my steady slower horses. Hauled to the arena and rode. GREAT stress relief. I was so happy to lope around I almost cried. The hardest part on me was getting on my horses. I needed a chair because my lower abdomen muscles were so weak. They really play a large part in you lifting your leg into the air. The second time I rode wasn't as bad. My balance sucked to put it politely. I felt like a beginner rider flopping everywhere. I worked my way up through my level of horses and quickness. 11.75 months later I feel a lot more confident. My young horses are running better than ever and I have "beat" myself all years and climbed into a new D. I still don't feel confident to get on a potential bucker so I sold the colt that had that possibility. I guess I lost my confidence in that area and can't imagine getting hurt now because who would take care of my baby? He needs me. So I now wear a helmet too. No entry fee is worth you or your horse getting hurt. Remember that. Handy things- spare playpen for outside. I was able to feed my horses by putting him in his stroller and taking him out to the barn briefly. Put a portable swing in the horse trailer and an extra extension cord and fan if you are traveling in the summer to hot arenas. If you have a LQ just go ahead and get a generator to crank it up and keep that baby cool/warm. Your babysitter will appreciate the temperature control too. Extra bottles/formula/water/clothes for the trailer. Plus ask your friends if they mind watching your baby for 20 minutes or so at the event in advance. Just enough time for you to warm up, run, cool down and keep your sanity for another week until you get your next fix. Sorry for the book, but I just/am still going through it. 25 more pounds to lose and between the horses, baby, kickboxing and MMA class I will get it gone eventually. Good luck!
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