Question – Pregnant Mare.

[gwyngyll2]

The owner of the horse I ride on loan told me today she is thinking of putting her to stallion. I was just wondering if she gets pregnant, how long before I should stop working her?

[Keket]

It really depends on how her pregnancy goes. My RI's mare is about seven months along and could easily still be in work if she wasn't lame with an unrelated injury. Some mares continue to be ridden right up until they foal, albiet bareback for the last bit. Some are sore and cantankerous and won't stand it.

[Tuff_up]

agreed with Keket but with my deal with mares its about 7 months to 9 months in that you stop working them. I also know that once they've foaled its almost exactly they same as what Keket said some mares don't mind being ridden a few weeks after birth with there foal on the side but some are still sore and get really cranky. But mostly you only loose about 3-5 months of riding time including after the foal is born. But its not that long of a time. :D but if i was in your shoes i would be devastated to have "my horse" out of commision.

[**jet**]

I Always though the law said you cant ride in last three months of regnancy or is that just for the likes of riding schools?

[**greygurlie**]

Of course, this is only the case if u actually KNOW ** horse is in foal and expecting!!!! I bought my horse in the December and was riding her, hunting, XC training and SJ until end April. Took her jumping on the thursday night 1metre double clear then was busy so never rode her for few days but the tuesday morning I had a big colt foal in my stable!! Scary,:eek: but she is so honest, and actually hates being out of work. Now im not saying that everyone should do that, but its very much dependent on how the mare is, it is usually an easier birth if they are kept somewhat fit and will come back into work better too. They will soon let u know when they dont want to be ridden. x

[Jiouxles]

The YO's riding mare had her foal on 4 March. We stopped riding her just before Christmas because we didn't have a girth big enough for her and then she had a bit of scare with bellyache but the vet said she was perfectly healthy after and could have done v.light work. She is going back into work at the end of this month, so yes, 5 months out in all.

[Skyhuntress]

Really depends on the mare. i've ridden two pregnant girls. One, she got so awkward that I felt I couldn't do much past w/t with her past 6 months, and I quit riding her altogether at 8 months. Another was so athletic that I w/t/c her up until 8 months, and quit riding her at about 9.5-10 months.

I think the biggest thing is not to be introducing new things. Now is not the time to start training for an endurance ride, or more up a level in dressage, or jump bigger. Just keep things similar and listen to what the mare tells you

[Lgd]

Peri happily stayed under saddle up to 10 months preggers. Happy to do her ordinary work up to about 4months then her collected canter went. Knocked the lateral work on the head around 6 months. Went to walk and trot only shortly after that and by the last few weeks just a 20 minute plod in walk. Try not doing anything with her and she destroyed the place. My saddle is infinitely adjustable so I didn't have saddle-fit issues to contend with, which is often the limiting issue.

Other mares can become girthy from very early on - just need to listen to them.