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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
  
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Just Plain Lucky - 2015-09-16 3:43 PM
Bear - 2015-09-16 3:24 PM Any activity that carries a significant risk of blunt trauma during pregnancy, including first trimester, also places the baby and mother at risk. You have to decide if it's worth it. Moderate exercise is fine, but things like barrel racing, moto cross, and downhill skiing are stupid, in my opinion. The idea that you can safely engage in any sport during the first trimester is false.
I know you're a doctor, so let me ask you this: Why do so many doctors "OK" riding? That comes up in these discussions often. Is it because they don't "know" horses and what they are sometimes capable of? Is it because they don't know the extent to which the patient is involved with horses?
I don't really have room to have an opinion...never plan on getting pregnant, but I am curious.
I can't speak for others. All I can tell you is what I've said. Ultimately you have to decide. You can go ahead and ride and most likely you'll get away with it. If you fall, for whatever reason, you could lose the baby or put yourself at serious risk. I can't think of a sensible reason to take that chance.
Then again, if you play Russian Roulette, chances are you will be fine as well. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| I will have to admit, when I see a pregnant person riding, I have to wonder WHY? Is it REALLY THAT important? But that's just me. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 878
Location: "...way down south in the Everglades..." | I fell off on a trail ride while I was pregnant but before I knew I was pregnant. Luckily it was all fine but I continued to stress about it until the first ultrasound. As soon as I found out I was pregnant I quit barrels and jumping and just did some flat arena work for about 1 or 2 months...then I just rode at a walk after that until about 5 months. Wasn't daily riding either...a couple times a week at best. At 5 months I quit riding. Looking back at my young and dumb self, if I actually had the opportunity to have another child, I would not ride..period. It's not worth the risk IMO. But it's a personal choice no doubt. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | As someone who has miscarried (not riding related or anything "I did"), I would not risk it. It's not an easy thing to go through and takes an emotional toll on both you and your SO.
I can see folks who make their living this way continuing to ride, but if you are a hobby rider (like me), I don't think looking back you will even remember the time you weren't riding.
Honestly though, people can do whatever they want- I really don't care- this is just how I look at it. |
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 Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | barrelracr131 - 2015-09-17 9:12 AM As someone who has miscarried (not riding related or anything "I did"), I would not risk it. It's not an easy thing to go through and takes an emotional toll on both you and your SO.
I can see folks who make their living this way continuing to ride, but if you are a hobby rider (like me), I don't think looking back you will even remember the time you weren't riding.
Honestly though, people can do whatever they want- I really don't care- this is just how I look at it.
No one tells you how absolutely devastating and awful miscarriages are...no matter how far along in the pregnancy you might be. I've had four and I remember every one of them every year when that day comes around. Fortunately for my own peace of mind none of mine were riding related either. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | rachellyn80 - 2015-09-17 9:39 AM barrelracr131 - 2015-09-17 9:12 AM As someone who has miscarried (not riding related or anything "I did"), I would not risk it. It's not an easy thing to go through and takes an emotional toll on both you and your SO.
I can see folks who make their living this way continuing to ride, but if you are a hobby rider (like me), I don't think looking back you will even remember the time you weren't riding.
Honestly though, people can do whatever they want- I really don't care- this is just how I look at it. No one tells you how absolutely devastating and awful miscarriages are...no matter how far along in the pregnancy you might be. I've had four and I remember every one of them every year when that day comes around. Fortunately for my own peace of mind none of mine were riding related either.
I understand. I really don't talk about mine because it is a private thing, but it is awful. Had I done something to cause it, or that led to it, I would have suffered more. I was very very early in the pregnancy, and it was still awful.
I don't wish that pain on anyone, and this is why I'm giving the advice I'm giving. |
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Regular
Posts: 57
| IRunOnFaith - 2015-09-16 5:10 PM
My gelding got the year off. I worked him from the ground to keep him in shape.
Besides, your priorities will change once you hold that sweet baby in your arms. What you do will center around that sweet baby whether you planned for it to or not.
On a side note: It's easy to go to races with my SO's two children since they are older, but a newborn at a race is downright tough! 
With my first priorities definitely changed, and my little guy is 19 months right now.. I do think it's going to be easier taking a newborn then it will him.. Lol He's very particular about where he naps, and in the truck is not a favorite! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | rachellanae - 2015-09-17 12:06 PM
IRunOnFaith - 2015-09-16 5:10 PM
My gelding got the year off. I worked him from the ground to keep him in shape.
Besides, your priorities will change once you hold that sweet baby in your arms. What you do will center around that sweet baby whether you planned for it to or not.
On a side note: It's easy to go to races with my SO's two children since they are older, but a newborn at a race is downright tough!
With my first priorities definitely changed, and my little guy is 19 months right now.. I do think it's going to be easier taking a newborn then it will him.. Lol He's very particular about where he naps, and in the truck is not a favorite!
rachellanae...I'm having the same issue (naps/pickiness) with my 11 month old. It's making me wish I'd have gotten off my tail when she was a tiny thing and slept anywhere and went! lol!!!
Does your son like to be worn? We're finding that our daughter will go to sleep in an ergo carrier or her Mei tai. Now I just have to convince my hubby to wear her at races. She'll sleep like a log without a fuss. I'm sure you tried everything and I know how obnoxious opinions can be in parenting sometimes, but I did want to throw that out there in case it was something you hadn't tried yet. |
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 A Gopher's Worst Nightmare
Posts: 5094
Location: Southern Oregon | I ran barrels competitively with my first pregnancy until I was 6 months along, only because I truly did not know I was pregnant until then. I then did alot of lite riding on my super safe horses. My doctor told me I would KNOW when to quit, I laughed at her because I am pretty die hard. One I saddle up my gelding like I had been. I started warming him up as soon as he broke into a trot I instantly got side cramps like I had been running a marathon! I thought it was a fluke so I walked awhile and try again.....say thing, so I tried by passing trotting and broke him into a lope and still had the problem. I knew then and there my riding days where over until my little Miss made her appearance. After I quit riding two weeks went by and I ended being hospitalized with High Blood Pressure until the end of my pregnancy.
With my second pregnancy, my plan was the same. Besides the running competitively. I found out I was pregnant very soon in my pregnancy, so I went straight to being a sideline mom for my daughter who was 5/6 at the time and just doing slow work on a few of my horses. I was very sick and working full time at a ply wood mill so I was very exhausted. I spent the majority of my time coaching my daughter and nieces instead of riding. On my 19th week of pregnancy I was diagnosed with a torn placenta and that put a halt to EVERYTHING. I was on extreme bed rest and in and out of three different hospitals with tons of issues until I hit delivered. |
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 The Famous Hot Wing Chicken Girl
Posts: 2964
| I rode when I was pregnant, not realizing I was pregnant until I was several weeks. I immediately stopped, but I had complications early on in my pregnancy and didn't want to put myself or my child anymore at risk.
If I ever decide to have another baby, I will not step foot in the saddle, even if I have a normal pregnancy. I just can't see risking so much. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | rachellanae - 2015-09-17 12:06 PM IRunOnFaith - 2015-09-16 5:10 PM My gelding got the year off. I worked him from the ground to keep him in shape.
Besides, your priorities will change once you hold that sweet baby in your arms. What you do will center around that sweet baby whether you planned for it to or not.
On a side note: It's easy to go to races with my SO's two children since they are older, but a newborn at a race is downright tough! With my first priorities definitely changed, and my little guy is 19 months right now.. I do think it's going to be easier taking a newborn then it will him.. Lol He's very particular about where he naps, and in the truck is not a favorite!
LOL! I have three little munchkins to look out for at shows now. I wish the two older ones would stay corraled in the truck, but like yours the truck isn't as comfy as they prefer   |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 814
Location: California | When I found out I was pregnant (in July), I sent my horse to my brother for him to rope on her and keep her in shape for me. I just didn't want to take the risk of something happening...I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something actually did happen.
On the plus side, I will have an in-shape horse ready for me after I have this baby. I will only have to worry about getting myself back in shape instead of the both of us! |
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 Expert
Posts: 3534
Location: Stuck in a cubicle having tropical thoughts | Our daughter was stillborn at 37 weeks a year ago. I did not ride a single time while I was pregnant, mostly because I got pregnant in Dec and it was to cold and I was to nausous, plus we were selling our house for sale by owner and moving and I just didn't have the time or energy. The doctors did not have any reason why she was stillborn. That being said, I've been very careful with my body ever since with the hope that we will have another baby one day and you can bet if I ever have the chance to be pregnant again, I will be on pins and needles every day and there is no chance, no way I will climb on the back of a horse if I'm pregnant. It's not worth the risk. Nobody tells you during your pregnancy how many people end up with miscarriages and stillborns. You don't learn about how frequesnt both are until you go through it. My advice, pregnancy and a baby is such a miracle that have so many things that can go wrong that it is not worth any extra risk, expecially riding a horse. |
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Expert
Posts: 4766
Location: Bandera, TX | I was young with my pregnancies. I rode racehorses till I was 6mo on the first and then continued to ride up till my due date. I was starting colts on the pattern that had finished their race careers. I had no problems. I was very cautious the last month. I never went back to the track between the pregnancies but worked barrel horses again up until late in my second pregnancy. Not competing just easy training. I would never do it now knowing how precious life is and how fragile life can be. 30 years have changed my thinking... |
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Regular
Posts: 57
| MOGirl07 - 2015-09-17 1:17 PM
rachellanae - 2015-09-17 12:06 PM
IRunOnFaith - 2015-09-16 5:10 PM
My gelding got the year off. I worked him from the ground to keep him in shape.
Besides, your priorities will change once you hold that sweet baby in your arms. What you do will center around that sweet baby whether you planned for it to or not.
On a side note: It's easy to go to races with my SO's two children since they are older, but a newborn at a race is downright tough!
With my first priorities definitely changed, and my little guy is 19 months right now.. I do think it's going to be easier taking a newborn then it will him.. Lol He's very particular about where he naps, and in the truck is not a favorite!
rachellanae...I'm having the same issue (naps/pickiness ) with my 11 month old. It's making me wish I'd have gotten off my tail when she was a tiny thing and slept anywhere and went! lol!!!
Does your son like to be worn? We're finding that our daughter will go to sleep in an ergo carrier or her Mei tai. Now I just have to convince my hubby to wear her at races. She'll sleep like a log without a fuss. I'm sure you tried everything and I know how obnoxious opinions can be in parenting sometimes, but I did want to throw that out there in case it was something you hadn't tried yet.
He use to love being worn. We had a wrap, but now that he's bigger he wants down all the time accept right before he falls asleep. And at 25 pounds he kills my back! lol
Thanks for the suggestion though! |
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Regular
Posts: 57
| GoBuddyGo - 2015-09-17 6:22 PM
When I found out I was pregnant (in July), I sent my horse to my brother for him to rope on her and keep her in shape for me. I just didn't want to take the risk of something happening...I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something actually did happen.
On the plus side, I will have an in-shape horse ready for me after I have this baby. I will only have to worry about getting myself back in shape instead of the both of us!
I wish I had someone to keep her in shape! Lol |
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Regular
Posts: 57
| barlracr429 - 2015-09-17 9:38 PM
Our daughter was stillborn at 37 weeks a year ago. I did not ride a single time while I was pregnant, mostly because I got pregnant in Dec and it was to cold and I was to nausous, plus we were selling our house for sale by owner and moving and I just didn't have the time or energy. The doctors did not have any reason why she was stillborn. That being said, I've been very careful with my body ever since with the hope that we will have another baby one day and you can bet if I ever have the chance to be pregnant again, I will be on pins and needles every day and there is no chance, no way I will climb on the back of a horse if I'm pregnant. It's not worth the risk. Nobody tells you during your pregnancy how many people end up with miscarriages and stillborns. You don't learn about how frequesnt both are until you go through it. My advice, pregnancy and a baby is such a miracle that have so many things that can go wrong that it is not worth any extra risk, expecially riding a horse.
We have family members who have gone through the same thing. It is very hard to watch them go through something so difficult. I couldn't imagine going through that. I'm sorry for your loss! And you're right, it is an absolute miracle! |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | barlracr429 - 2015-09-17 8:38 PM
Our daughter was stillborn at 37 weeks a year ago. I did not ride a single time while I was pregnant, mostly because I got pregnant in Dec and it was to cold and I was to nausous, plus we were selling our house for sale by owner and moving and I just didn't have the time or energy. The doctors did not have any reason why she was stillborn. That being said, I've been very careful with my body ever since with the hope that we will have another baby one day and you can bet if I ever have the chance to be pregnant again, I will be on pins and needles every day and there is no chance, no way I will climb on the back of a horse if I'm pregnant. It's not worth the risk. Nobody tells you during your pregnancy how many people end up with miscarriages and stillborns. You don't learn about how frequesnt both are until you go through it. My advice, pregnancy and a baby is such a miracle that have so many things that can go wrong that it is not worth any extra risk, expecially riding a horse.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers God blesses you with another baby when you and your husband are ready. |
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