Riding whilst pregnant

[Nats]

Does anyone have experience of combining riding with pregnancy? I'm interested to know how long it's safe/fun/advisable to continue riding until you have to give up until after birth.
:p

[Speedy]

Can't help too much, but I remember Mary King was eventing whilst pregnant. A lady at my yard was riding and we didn't even know she was pregnant til she had it and stopped turning up! She rode right up until the birth, but I don't think thats advisable!!

[Wally]

It certainly isn't advisable! but I did it, and some of my friends have. One rode the day her boy was born.

You have to take things steady because your tendons and the like go a bit floppy and strain easily, fused joints too, so nothing too mad. Make sure the horse you ride is trustworthy.

Getting off has to be adapted too, you cannot lean forward and throw your leg over.

[Piaffe]

Best thing to do would be to ask your doctor's advice. Each person is different - the fitter you are, the easier it would be for you to get on and off the horse while pregnant etc.

My friend was riding while her baby's head was engaged!! Surely a recipe for damage of some sort?!!

By the way, her baby was fine!!

[Pennylane]

I know some women ride during pregnacy but I would be very careful. Is your horse very well schooled? All the women I have known rode only very trustful monts and only in the arena no trail riding. They never rode alone and had there doctors approval. They also had been riding along time so it was not a change in what they were already doing. Good luck.
Pennylane
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[Nats]

Wally,

Thanks for your advice, how long did it take before you could clamber aboard after the birth? And did you have the energy more to the point?!
:)

[Wally]

Riding while pregnant was the easy bit!!;)

I had a bit of a rough time and more stitches than you could shake a stick at! I rode very, very quietly after about 6 weeks, but I can honestly say it was over 6 months before I was pain free, but as I say I had nasty complications:eek:

Energy was not a problem but don't do what I did, free of lump I overdid everything, my tendons were still too sloppy to cope and I ended up in a wheelchair with a very damaged back! Do not do anything too energetic for months, go slowly, I wish I had taken things a bit more slowly, but I have always been a "bull at a gate merchant!!"

[H & Bailey]

youre best checking with the midwife and doctor too.i was told that as I was in good health it was fine to do steady stuff..no jumping.You have to make sure that your horse is 100% and know you wont fall as you could miscarry.Riding helps keep your pelvic muscles and stomach muscles tight so its easier to push..well it is quicker as your tummy is stronger but your contractions may be stronger..ie.more painful.I didnt ride after I found out I was pregnant at 3 months as I didnt want to risk losing the baby,as my mare was a bit unpredictable.I was told that I couldnt ride for at least 12 weeks to 16 weeks after as if u ride too early you can make your stomach and womb collapse..basically your insides fall out!!!You are not supposed to lift either for 12 weeks..which I found impossible as how do you carry sacks of feed,water and hay etc.I ended up making myself bad and the midwife was gonna put me in hospital to stop me doing so much!!

[lleeaannee]

My riding instructor rode through the whole pregnancy but just gentle hacking while she was bigger. She was riding the day before she gave birth!!

[Maci]

If you ride, be very careful, and sure of your horse! Make sure someone is with you to watch/check in, and to help mount/dismount.

I was completely shocked this summer when I was watching international showjumping at Spruce Meadows, and an American showjumper, something Simpson, was pregnant and competing! :eek: I don't know about you, but I'd stop! Too many risks! Her husband was also a showjumper, and I think he was fine with it...if I was a guy with a wife jumping over 5 foot jumps internationally, whilst pregnant, I'd be worried!!

Maci :)

[jUmPingIsLifE]

Hi, it was Nicole Shahanion(cannot spell it at all!) simpson, i love spruce medows, i understand why she did it i love jumping i am not having kids cuz there is no way i could stay of a horse, come back and still have to get back into shape again! lol

[Maci]

Now I remember! I'd still be concerned! I understand that stitches thing Wally is talking about! :eek: Ouch! I'm sure it would hurt, but I wouldn't know yet! ;)

Maci :)