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 Veteran
Posts: 215
Location: Oregon | I just found out I am pregnant, I am maybe 5-6 weeks. I have been reading a lot about how long people were able to run for after they found out would love to hear more =)
Please don't bash me, I know there are risks ect. but this is my plan and I am just looking to hear from others with experience being competitive while pregnant.
I am very competitive and run 3 horses a weekend, I rodeo in the spring and summer. I am going to run barrels as long as possible! I am 107lbs lean built this will be my first, I am hoping to run at least 6- 7 months, is this doable? My mom only gained 15-20lbs with my sister and I. I have a busy rodeo schedule that I would like to at least make it through the 4th of July....
So long story short how long did you make it??? Thanks in advanced!!! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
 
| I have never been pregnant but plan to do the same. I am heavier than you, though...but I do know that because the distribution of weight is more "in front" of you, it can really throw your balance and reflexes off, in addition to putting more weigh on your horse's forehand. Some of them might be fine...but a friend of mine did this and her horse was kind of not quick with his feet in the first place, and she fell off. Thank God the baby and her were fine...but be careful. |
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Member
Posts: 19
| I wouldn't go very long my step mom ran till she was 4 months her horse popped up one night and she had a fall ended up losining the baby
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 357
| It really depends on you and the type of horses you are riding. I rode till 15 weeks but my horse is older and would trust him with my life. Also he is very smooth. I was 5 11 and weighed 130 in the beginning. Been ride since I was 5 and it is all I know. It is tough to stop but it is not just about you anymore. This was something had to remind myself. I did start to notice my balance was off and my doctor advised me it probably wasnt a good idea anymore. I also would have felt horrible if I fell off or anything and made me lose my little guy. Just dont push it your body will tell you.
Also it is not as easy as you think to come back either.. I got back on too soon and fell off and got knocked out. Nothing puts whats more important in perspective then waking up to my little guy over top of me strapped to a back board and people saying stay with me. I have been off two years now and plan to start back again this year.
Congrats and good luck! |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9991
 
Location: Kansas | Depends on how safe you feel on your horse. My grey took excellent care of me, never once took a wrong step even in the pasture.
I raced until I was 26 weeks along, and that was when I started to show. Then I just plotted around in the pasture on her, up until I was 39 weeks along....I actually rode two days before I was induced (and yes I was able to lug myself on my horse, belly and all LOL) |
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| I wouldn't do it. I rode until I was 21 weeks and ended up losing our baby due to other reasons. I spent 2 years off horses as a result because I was so upset with what happened and always will wonder if riding stressed her more than her little body could handle. Obviously, to each their own but riding for 8-10 weeks really isn't worth a lifetime of wondering if riding contributed to what happened. Pregnancy goes by very quickly in the grand scheme of things- enjoy it and don't take it for granite because your not guaranteed anything. Congrats on your pregnancy- hope you have a happy, healthy 9 months.
Edited by bscanchaser 2014-01-31 8:02 AM
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 Dancing in my Mind
Posts: 3062
Location: Eastern OH but my heart is in WV | I raced until I was 4 months along with my daughter. I don't remember so much with my son. I think I was more in between horses then. I know a woman who did up to birth. That was scary and a lot of people were very upset with her at the shows. |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | I ran barrels pregnant with my first on a colt I was training. When I was 15 weeks along, she stepped up her game and ran a top of the 2d time, in the process turning quicker than I was prepared for on the first and pulling my groin muscle. I was miserable with that injury the rest of my pregnancy... I know lots of people that ran until 6 or 7 months without a problem. Just be prepared, because when your ligaments start loosening, it's easier to get hurt. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Rolling J - 2014-01-31 9:02 AM
I raced until I was 4 months along with my daughter. I don't remember so much with my son. I think I was more in between horses then. I know a woman who did up to birth. That was scary and a lot of people were very upset with her at the shows.
I have never been in the situation at hand, but I did race with a gal back in Michigan who in would guess pretty much ran all the way through her pregnancy. In the end there was NO room between her belly and the horn. If the horse had even tripped she risked more or less impaling her baby with the horn.
It was distressing to watch. |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | I rode a gentle horse until it was uncomfortable for me (4-5 months). I really don't see the point in riding until you are 9 months along. I don't think the risks are worth it, but to each their own. |
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 Schnoodle Lover
Posts: 2987
Location: **Cactus Country down in South Texas*** | I would not do it, even if the horse was gentle . You are still taking a risk of falling off or something. It wouldn't be worth it to me. JMO |
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BHW's Simon Cowell
Location: The Saudia Arabia of Wind Energy, Western Oklahoma | Don't do it. There isn't a barrel race that is important enough to take the risk. I did it and just about fell off at the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo. I was never so embarrassed that I had put my child in danger like that. I ended up having my baby 6 weeks early also. I don't know if riding had anything to do with it, but why take a chance? |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 365
| I barrel raced until 13 weeks, rode normally till 18 then only walked. It was to uncomfortable to do more than a walk. I wasn't even big either I still had people who didnt know I was pregnant at 8 months. But it took me long enough to just get on my horse my balance was off. Really the way I looked at it anything can happen when your running, even a good horse can slip and fall. If that had happened and I had lost my baby I wouldn't have been able to get over the fact that my selfishness caused his death. I sat out for pretty much the whole summer and fall. It's not that long to wait really and a healthy baby is worth it. I was back in the saddle 2 weeks after birth. |
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Veteran
Posts: 294
| I think your body is going to tell you when to quit riding. I rode my first trimester. After that I was just too tired and did not have the competitive drive. You may find that you will need a break. Good Luck. In my opinion its too risky to race past your first trimester. |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | It sounds like you have already made up your mind and you are already justifying your reasoning. However, I wouldn't do it. It's only 9 months out of your entire barrel racing career. If you want your ponies in shape for when you can ride again, have someone else ride them, or run them. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to your question.... I know MANY girls that rode horse pretty much until their due date with NO problems, they however were really good riders like yourself. I also know a few girls who were not such good riders and one fell off while she was pregnant, didn't end up hurting anything but dangerous and could have.... to each their own I guess, just know you are always taking a risk of say your horses falling, you falling etc just like you are each time you ride on your own.
I would just be a little more cautious and if you've always ridden, I've heard doctors say you can continue doing what you've always done like running, working out etc. Your just not supposed to start anything new.
Good luck and go with what you think to be the right choice! |
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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | Murphy - 2014-01-31 8:22 AM It sounds like you have already made up your mind and you are already justifying your reasoning. However, I wouldn't do it. It's only 9 months out of your entire barrel racing career. If you want your ponies in shape for when you can ride again, have someone else ride them, or run them.
I agree. I don't have kids nor am I planning on having any in the next couple years, but really nine months is not that long to sit out and be a fan. A friend of mine had a baby in November and when she found out last March she was pregnant she stopped riding entirely. She even turned out her runs at the Bonus Race Finals and ate the fees......having a healthy baby was THAT important to her and I know she loves to compete. I have to say I really respect her for making that choice because you know what, the rodeos, barrel races and her horse are still there this year. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1074
| You can fall walking through your house with the same outcome. I'm 7 months pregnant and still riding. I do what is comfortable for me and I don't worry about anyone else. I continued to run barrels until I was 6 months. I haven't entered this month because my center of gravity has changed and it feels different to me. I will ride until I can't get on my horse. You should remain active during your pregnancy. Everyone is different so listen to your body and do what feels good to you. |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | Three 4 Luck - 2014-01-31 8:12 AM I ran barrels pregnant with my first on a colt I was training. When I was 15 weeks along, she stepped up her game and ran a top of the 2d time, in the process turning quicker than I was prepared for on the first and pulling my groin muscle. I was miserable with that injury the rest of my pregnancy... I know lots of people that ran until 6 or 7 months without a problem. Just be prepared, because when your ligaments start loosening, it's easier to get hurt.
I've never been pregnant, but had a conversation with my doctor about this last year. He said he wasn't concerned about riding while pregnant, but to be more careful because your pelvis and bones in that area get softer and are more prone to injury. |
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Veteran
Posts: 220
| I ran til I was four months pregnant. I was told if you trust you horse there is not reason why you can't. I got off for the main reason I wasnt competing to the level I wanted to be at anymore due to myself unconsciously safetying up. I was getting discouraged so I got off. Looking back with the risk I was taking. I would get off the minute I found out. My daughter's life was not worth a few barrel races. |
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