Can I go horseback riding while pregnant?
I gotta say, when somebody asked me to write about horseback riding I thought I would have to wade through a bunch of websites that just tell you to be on the safe side and avoid it. Instead I came upon a fascinating article that really probed the whole horseback riding while pregnant question. I found it riveting which further demonstrates what a nerd I am.
Here's the sitch':
Unless you are having a high risk pregnancy (complicated by bleeding, membrane rupture, pregnancy induced hypertension or growth restriction, or if there is a past history of pre-term labour) there is no reason why you can't go horseback riding. In short, nothing will shake loose that wasn't going to shake loose anyway.
The bigger danger is Flicka going apeshit, throwing you, then stepping on your head. Plus, it doesn't really matter how experienced, fit, or careful you are about riding because, most of the time, injuries occur from the behaviour of the horse – "Try to get me to canter, you fat whore. Take that". Kicking is also another very real danger so, you know, don't stand behind the not-so-bright 900lb animal.
In conclusion, horseback riding is a dangerous past time – my ass hurts just from writing this – but if you ride horses I'm pretty sure you know that already so that point is kind of moot. As for the pregnancy part, it looks to be fine so giddy up, my little Filly but hold on tight to that damn thing. Yee Haw!!
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15 Comments
Reader Comments (15)
Most of the women I've watched combine pregnancy and rode until it became uncomfortable, which for most women seems to be around the third trimester or so--basically once it feels like the baby's soft little head is hitting the saddle leather, it's time to stop and go out for a nice glass of beer, a smoke, and some soft cheese...I mean granola with (gag) carob and some vitamin water.
I found out I was pregnant by getting bucked off a horse, I thought I had a bad concussion, my poor kid will be lucky to make it to puberty. LOL. Since then have ridden said horse once bareback while his owner (a student of mine) nervously asked if this could make me go into labor. Noting that riding while preggo is SUPER hard for some people, I lost all sense of balance, my job was starting young horses under saddle so I was not accustom to getting thrown by a fat draft horse, and pregnancy brain made thinking ahead hard. I see no problem with taking a plug for a scoot about the woods or something though.
I rode up until my 6th month mark. I didn't find it difficult because I only did what I could. I also rode the same horse throughout, and was always supervised. The only downfall I had was with the heat...but I always made sure I had plenty of water accessible. Even though I've stopped riding, I still work with horses on the ground. I can't wait till my lil one is born to get back in the saddle. It's the only way I'll get back into shape!
Wow! Great website! As a first-timer, I have no idea where to start, but your website is an amazing resource. Ever thought about turning this into a book?
I just had to add I rode pregnant too. It got uncomfortable for me when I started to get big and my belly got in the way. I took a hiatus until I was 41 weeks pregnant and got back in the saddle to see if I could induce labor. It involved a lot of pushing and pulling, and that was just to get me on the horse. It didn't work, and I still wasn't in labor.
My godmother's water broke while she was leading her students on a trail ride a mile out from the barn. Talk about hardcore! Don't know that I'd ever want to ride in that saddle again though. ;)
I am currently 25 weeks pregnant and still riding 4-5 times a week on 1-2 horses a day. Its the only time during the day that I don't feel pregnant. It relieves back pain and is great core/leg exercise. It makes momma happy! That being said, I had to send my young unpredictable quarter horse mare off to training, and only riding my 2 older well behaved horses in a covered arena to which they are very accustomed and safe. We are not going to trail rides :( or going to horse shows. Basically, taking it safe. No jumping or gaming either, just basic flat work. I'm not recommending it for everyone, but for me, its crucial for stress relief :)
I really wish your posts contained animations :)
We have Half Arabian show horses. My mare is due to pop any day but my sister became pregnant so I took over riding her horse. Two weeks later I found out that I was pregnant as well. It was time to send the mare back up to the trainers. If I were riding our old show horse Pascha who has taught a ton of kids how to ride I wouldn't worry but we have English Pleasure and Country English Pleasure horses that can be rather unpredictable and high strung. I'm just saying no until the little one is born.
Glad to see some common horse sense out here. I'd be riding lots if the thought of a bumping horse wouldn't make me puke for the 55th time today. Planning on climbing back on once the nausea subsides (come on week 14!). Friends of mine have barrel raced, showed professionally (reining) and rode all sorts of horses until 5-8 months and were all a-okay. I'm going to stick to my faithful horse and will skip the barrel racing and cow work until the baby comes, but I'm right there with you that the best stress relief I have is riding. Just a little strategy though: anyone who doesn't ride doesn't need to know I'm still riding. Cuz I don't need any more advice of what not to do!
Fun site! Thanks for including the horse ridng! I quit riding @ the end of the first trimester, not because I didn't feel safe, but because it wasn't worth the argument w/ my husband. Now I get it from both sides. . . horse friends tell me I should still be riding, non-horse friends lecture me I could have falled off or gotten kicked in those first three months. (not likely w/ my horses) It's all about common sense people! If you've never been around horses, yeah, avoid, but if you have stick with what makes you happy. I'd go a little crazy if I didn't spend time around my horses!
i am only 6 weeks with a new 6 month old and i need to know is safe i was a good ridder back in the day but im a little rusty now cause its been over a yaer since i rode and before i got pregnant again i had been bugging everone to let me go for 6 months now that my family is asking me to go and i havent told them im pregnant again they will think somthing is up if i dont go so what should i do i really want to go but im worried about the baby and then im worried about my family
I am not pregnant and have no kids, but my coworker is and I may insist she read your hilarious blog! I did take some horseback riding lessons and your, "try to get me to canter, you fat whore!" made me laugh!
I'm 6 wks pregnant and plan to ride until it's too uncomfortable to do so, or until I feel like my balance/center of gravity is totally shot. I've been riding for 26 years and it's an itch that just has to be scratched! My hubby's totally cool with it, so I'm lucky I don't have any arguments at home (at least not yet). I do plan to stick to flat work and ground poles - but frankly my horses can both use the tune up so it will be good for all of us. Both are young but sane, and I know them (and their few irrational fears) well, so I'm not too concerned. That said, it's not a sport I would participate in while pregnant if a) I were not a capable and confident rider who knows her limits and abilities, b) I didn't have access to horses I know and trust, or c) I had a high-risk pregnancy.
I'm sixteen weeks pregnant and I have a beautiful black Morab... heavy on the Arab. I stopped riding when I found out I was pregnant. I don't trust that something won't fall from the sky and spook my already spookish horse. I still spend time with her, exercising her and grooming her. I'm really looking forward to next summer!