horse riding and pregnancy

[aimz84]

Hi. Im 14 weeks preg. And I volunteer at a Riding school. The lady i work with has offered to take me out for a ride, its been a while since Ive ridden so I know i have to be fareful so she is going to let me ride the best horse tgere, she is slow and calm, and just a darling.

Who else has ridden duribg pregnancy, what did u do to keep safe, and at what stage did u stop riding.

I miss it so much but I know that the lady I work with wouldnt put me on an unsafe horse. As she knows Im preg. Xx

tia xx

 

[ShowingPromise]

I stopped at 4 months but I was a very experienced rider on a horse that I knew very well (had been riding him for 3 years). As soon as I found out I stopped riding in the roads and jumping. I'd just take him for a gentle ride round the farm.

I found it good to relax but also there is a huge risk involved, it was always at the back of my mind, so didn't enjoy it as much as I used to.

Personally, if I were in your position I don't think I'd risk it, if you don't ride much and don't know the horse it might be best to wait until after baby arrives.

 

[Jojo84]

Falling isn't the only risk in horse riding during pregnancy, there is also a risk to he placenta. Also if you have t been riding regularly I would stay away from it. I wouldn't be taking the risk

 

[aimz84]

Thankyou.
I have been in two minds about it.
I prob will wait til after its born. As if anything like ny first, I ballooned quite quickly.

Thanks guys. Will need to make it a regular thing once its here i think. Any excuse to get back into it. X

 

[GF91]

Both my sister & I are experienced horse owners/riders. I didn't ride when pregnant but I gave up riding 4 years ago due to injury so didn't bother when pregnant but my sister rode until she was 8 months, only stopped because she physically couldn't get on or off safely anymore- but she was back in the saddle within 3 weeks of having him!

 

[SoObsessed]

I rode 4/5 times a week until I was 25 weeks with my last pregnancy. I'm not sure I'd ride while pregnant of I hadn't ridden for a while. The advice midwives give is to carry on with any exercise you are used to x

 

[Eaw123]

I gave up riding as soon as I found out and loaned my horses out to take away any urge to want to ride. My horse was lovely but wasn't worth the risk. I can't wait to get him back!

 

[CharlieSmartie]

I rode until 8 months pregnant with my daughter and got back on after 5 weeks. I stopped hacking at around 6 months and the last two months was just schooling in walk/trot. I have owned my horse for 8 years, so know her inside/out and she is very sensible and usually ride her around 4-6 times a week, I reduced the frequency to around 2-3 days, stopped cantering at 4/5 months and stopped jumping/funrides at 3 months. I had a friend hack her out 1-2 times a week during my pregnancy and afterwards (she still rides her now once a week - 3 years later!)

I am still riding now (9 weeks pregnant with twins), and intend on riding until I feel I don't want to anymore. However I do feel different about it this time round, I do feel more fearful of falling off (never had that fear last time, and touch wood haven't fallen off for years!), so I have already reduced what I am doing - still riding as often as I can but not cantering much on hacks and not working so hard in the school, wont be jumping again. I am just keeping my horse ticking over for now until its common knowledge that I am pregnant (in around a month or so). My friend is still riding her and I am hoping she will start having some lessons on her as well over the summer, as I have a feeling I think I will stop riding by 5 months this time (I will be bigger with twins anyway!). I envisage being out of the saddle around 6 months this time - hopefully my friend will ride her through that time, but if not I don't mind her just being turned away this time round (horse is 15 now so a break wouldn't be a bad thing for her).

Personally i think if you are not a frequent rider prior to pregnancy then I wouldn't be getting on when pregnant. Wait until after baby comes