So I am going to be out of commision this entire summer due to being pregnant and was very curious what eveyone else did with their good horses while they were pregnant. I only have one finished mare that I had been running but I am thinking she is just going to go on vacation until I am back from having a baby. I did kick around the idea of breeding her this summer but I do not want to be out almost two years on her. I just hate seeing horses sit.

What did you do with your good horses?

TYIA!

I sold my good horse while pregnant because he was older and I didn't want him to spend his last years of competition sitting. The other horse I sold after I had our baby. I bought a weanling then too. That filly is now a 5 year old and running so if we have another child in the future I will just let her have a vacation for a little while before going back to running. Breeding puts them out for much longer if you count the time raising a foal. 

If you have someone you trust to run her for you, you could do that.

I let mine vacation. Doesn't hurt them.  Although. . I let mine vacation a lot. No pregnancy needed. HA!

My husband roped steers on mine while I was pregnant.   The winter after my son was born, was bad so my husband ponied my horse down the road to leg him back up.

Mine just sat in the pasture. Obviously just took longer to get them back in shape after sitting so long, but they were fine.

I pulled their shoes and turned them out and let them be horses! I think they absolutely loved it and it was so good for the minds and bodies. 

You will be out for 2 years yourself 

How so?

Good friend of mine was back running barrels 12 days after giving birth. I dont recommend it but ths time will fly by

Other than a couple rides on a gentle horse at the beginning, I quit riding. As soon as baby is born and I'm able, I plan to get on. Hubby plans to get horses in shape this spring and when the weather is good I lunge them. It keeps me active and it gives me a little horse fix since I haven't ridden in almost 6 months. But if baby is born earlier enough (she is due mid June) I hope to run at a 4th of July rodeo if I can. It has been a tradition of mine & hubby's the whole time we've been together so we really don't want to miss it if we can help it. Our horses are multi purpose so they get used for more than just barrels. 

I ran my mare up until the 4th month, and then I would just jump on her for a stroll here and there. A break doesn't hurt them. Once my son was born, I was back to riding a month after. 

Whatever you decide to sell or vacation, don't lease, Ever!

I've done all 3 (sold, vacationed & leased) I would breed if I had a good mare. Vacation a gelding. Just because your body changes and to get on a horse you know top to bottom is invaluable when you want to get your confidence back.

Don't worry about the longer recovery time for a mare. You will be so in love with the baby it won't bother you as much as you would think. I was addicted to 5 days a week riding and stopped cold turkey when I found out I was pregnant. Don't get me wrong I missed it, but slow rides did go a long way emotionally for my withdrawal after the baby. I would just go ride in the warmup pen and cheer for friends and being out of the house and horseback was glorious. I must have c-sections, so I needed more time than I thought to heal, and it takes a while to get your new routine down with the baby. It's not an overnight journey for most people. A lot of girls race to get on and damage their muscles. Trust me don't do it to yourself. You want to have the same ability to ride you did before the baby. I took longer than another local girl and was all discouraged then realized that other girl was running and literally peeing on her saddle during runs. I was so so glad I listened to my body when I saw that. Just gross. I'm way to shallow for that crap and my saddle is too pretty to be stained. Don't get sucked into the pressure of jumping back on asap. Your horse will be there and the awesome thing about barrel racing is we can do it our whole life. 

This is what I was trying to say but I decided to stay out of it. Once you have a child you're priorities need to change for a couple years. 

I dont agree and feel like I may know what you mean but the wording is not correct. No one "needs" to change their priorties when you have a child. You do you. If being a good Mom is you taking time to ride 5 days a week, DO IT. If being a good Mom is you going to the gym DO IT. You do what you need to do to be a good Mom to your child. Don't worry about what others are saying or doing. You do you and I promise both of you will be happy!