Baby on Board

I was emailing with a friend this morning who just found out she's pregnant. She's really excited, but she's getting lots of advice from well meaning friends and family on whether she should continue riding or not.

Personally, I've known people at both ends of the pendulum as far as whether to ride or not to ride. There are good friends of mine, amateurs and trainers, who kept riding throughout their entire pregnancy. These people were confident in their abilities and felt they really knew the horses they chose to carry them. I've known others, again both pro and non-pro, who completely curtailed all horse activity. Some of these ladies wouldn't even go into a stall on the off chance they could be kicked.

Bottom line, horses are animals and there's no way to predict just what they will or will not do which is why there are so many conflicting opinions out there. So how do we make an educated decision and navigate the horse world we love while carrying a future horse person? Here are a few of my thoughts that seem to make sense keeping in mind I'm not a physician, but a friend into horses that, like you, is trying to figure all this out.

First and foremost, you have to take your individual situation into consideration. Ask yourself if you're in good physical health. Asking the question is not enough; you then need to answer it honestly. Most of us figure out we're pregnant long before seeing a doctor. If you're into horses or any other potentially risky physical activity, it's a good idea to select a physician right away and make a call to see if they'd like to see you early since you'd like to continue riding. Your medical professional can tell you if you personally could experience any additional risk from riding as you would from any other form of exercise (running, swimming, biking, etc.).

Second, if you're riding at a stable and/or riding a horse not owned by you, it's important to let the right people know you're pregnant. There can be some liability issues involved and you may be asked to sign a waiver in case anything happens.

Third, and this is just my opinion, I don't think exercise in general is harmful to mother or child. There are so many old wives tales out there about causing harm to a pre-term baby especially when it comes to physical activity. There are women that run throughout their pregnancy for heaven's sake. Again, though, this is my personal take. A lot of people don't understand the role horses have in our lives. Horses not only provide us with physical exercise, they have an enormous psychological impact on our overall well being.

Fourth, when deciding what to do it's important to remember that it's your baby and your decision. You're going to do everything you can to make an educated, informed plan on how to keep horses in your life throughout your pregnancy. Yes, you could be thrown from a horse. That is a risk. You know this which is why you're taking the time to think things through. Do what you can to talk to the professional people in your life (medical, equine), weigh their words and then do what you think is right.

One final word. I remember my well meaning family and friends offering advice when I was pregnant sometimes solicited, but most often not, and it almost always became more about them than me. Others' stories aren't yours. We've all heard more horror labor tales than we care to and really what's the point of sharing those? When I'm around people who start to share their experiences with a well-meaning pregnant friend, I usually chime in and say something like "Gosh, sounds like you had a tough time, but we're really interested to hear how your babies are doing now." It's a good redirect in my experience.

Speaking of redirect, there's a great series of books out there by Vicki Iovine. If you're pregnant or know someone that is, check out The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy. It's hilarious and a fun, helpful read. She hasThe Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy, Surviving The First Year of Motherhood, The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy Toddlers, The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy Getting Your Groove Back - well, you get the idea. Here's the Amazon link to her books: The Girlfriends' Guide

I'd love to know what you think and what words of wisdom you have to offer. You know the drill. Comment below or post in the Baby on Board forum attached to this article.

See It - Do It!

Christi

Comments  

 

# Guest 2008-08-21 01:56

Riding was the best/only way for me to get rid of pregnancy pains and woes (not whoas )
If you trust your horse.... saddle up - riding for me is more than an activity, it's therapy!

 

 

# Guest 2008-08-21 04:32

I agree, if you can trust your horse...I am on my 3rd pregnancy and I rode with all 3, until it was unconfortable. I also spoke to my healthcare provider.

 

 

# Christi 2008-08-21 05:33

I totally agree on both the therapy comment and going with it until it's uncomfortable. I'd love to get a physician on here that's also a horse person to comment on this. I just don't think non-horse people "get it" and tend to err on the side of "über-caution." Anybody know a people doc that's into horses?

 

 

# ridenourhorses 2008-08-23 17:08

I rode until I was 3 months pregnant. I had a rare but scary ride and decided it was time to put my saddle up. I mentioned it at my next doctor's visit and he told me that it was everyone's personal choice, but the rule of thumb is 3 months (your first trimester the baby has more protection than your second and third). In my opinion, however trusting you may be with your horse, they are still a horse. A big hairy deer. lol j/k but you never know. You take a chance with them everytime you mount up, preggo or not. To each his own, though.

 

 

# heelingal87 2008-08-26 20:04

Well I just had a baby. Since I wasn't riding much before I got busy, because I was in school I decided not to ride. I did at the very beginning; but not rope and team pen. I believe if your body is used to it; keep doing it until your too big; that is if you have a trustworthy horse and people to know where your at and so forth. If your worried then dont do it. I think my next pregnancy I will be a lot more laxed about what I do and how much. Good luck and Happy Trails

 

 

# Guest 2008-08-31 13:34

Hey all:
Not a doc, but a nurse practitioner with 3 years caring for OB patients and a horse lover. Riding would be considered more of a contact sport vs an aerobic sport where overheating can be a concern. So the big issue would be a fall esp in the second and third trimesters. Riding is definitely therapy and there is no right or wrong, but even the safest horse can have a "moment" so I would try to minimize risks by riding in a controlled setting if possible. Remember pregnancy changes the center of gravity, so your balance is different too. I did stop riding at 3 months on the advice of my OB, but every doctor is different and I am a novice rider which makes a difference also.

 

 

# Christi 2008-09-01 07:12

I'm really liking these comments. Practical and realistic! Nice to hear a "pro's" opinion, too. Thanks busymom3! I'd rather see a nurse practitioner than a doc. most days!

 

 

# Guest 2008-09-27 05:08

I loved this article!! I just had a healthy baby boy 2 months ago and I rode up till the week before I had him. I completely trusted the horse I rode and was careful to listen to my body on when I needed to quit for the day. I didn't continue barrel racing or roping after 5 months but I went on weekly pleasure rides!!! I say just know your body and your horse!!

 

 

# bullrdr28swife 2008-10-01 02:47

I had a miscarriage last year so I stopped riding. I still handle all my horses. I have been letting my kids do more of the training under my watchful eye. It just all depends on you. Riding it not enjoyable for me while pregnant, so I do not.

 

 

# bullrdr28swife 2008-10-05 03:30

I forgot to mention that I am pregnant now. I am due in April

 

 

# Samara77 2008-10-24 04:09

I rode and showed two weeks before I had my daughter. Everything was fine. My doc's only fear was falling off. But if ur a good rider, and u can stay on, ur just fine!

 

 

# BriteStar 2008-10-27 01:08

I believe that precaution is the best medicine! If it's possible... it can happen. If it does, can you live with the outcome of the situation? I knew I was pregnant, I felt the same as all of you. My horse was trustworthy, my horse was well mannered. But we had an incident anyway. Horses aren't called flight animals for nothing! I didn't lose the baby, but it was close. It separated the placenta from the uterine wall called a "Placenta Previa". 4 visits to labor & delivery, 35 days restricted to a bed in the hospital, and eventually a c-section to a premature birth of of almost 3 months due to the constant bleeding. A very critical situation, and guilt ridden experience. It could have been avoided. Thank God my son was, OK.

Be careful ladies! It's a short time in the long run to hang up those saddles!

 

 

# sdcowboy 2008-11-07 22:01

This isn't Brett this is his fiancee Kelly but just though I would let everyone read what i have to say. Let me start off by saying I am in my 8th month and have been riding lightly for the entire pregnancy. I don't break our young horses or get on any of them that I previously had in training and I have found cantering up a hill in a western saddle is not the best idea (that horn is much closer), but I love riding and horses I am addicted and always have been for me to sit by with my thumb up my butt while everyone goes for rides is impossible. I am like I said careful I ride 1 of our old plugs and sometimes Bretts horse and take it easy. I have to use a bucket to get on my horse now which I haven't had to do for years lol but I do what I have to. I get constant nagging from friends and family that I should not be riding my doctor says becareful but it can actually be healthy for me considering it's a stress relief. My mane arguement is if I shouldn't ride cause it's risky than chances are I shouldn't drive, walk, ride a bike, use the stairs, or well do anything but stay in bed but even that can be a risk. If I was to drive to work tomorrow and a car crashed into me yes I would regret driving that day but should we all live in fear everyday or just take it as it comes. Moral of the story you can't put yourself into a little bubble things can go wrong no matter what if we have to be so careful how do you expect people did it 100 years ago. Well that's my word for the day just trust what your own body is telling you and mine is saying live life your not sick your pregnant!

 

 

# sdcowboy 2008-11-07 22:03

oh by the way my child will be able to say he could ride befor he was born

 

 

# 32krissy 2009-01-16 13:39

I stayed off till I was about 3 months along, because that's a very fragile time in the pregnancy. I had also previously miscarried in my first trimester, so I didn't want to take any chances. I then rode till it got uncomfortable (and I couldn't get up in the saddle anymore on my own) for me which was at about 6 months. I totally trust my horse, so I was never worried. It was almost as if he sensed there was something different about me.

 

 

# Mary 2009-01-16 14:37

the best thing to do is talk with your OBGYN,I played softball up until I was 6 months. If you were riding before your pregnancy it should be ok as long as you can trust your horse and its ok with the Dr.If you have not been riding up to being pregnant then starting something new wouldn't pry be a good ideal. I've have 7 children and I played everytime and my Dr thought it would be a good ideal cause I would be in shape and make for an easier delivery,and make for a quick recovery,and it did. Its best to talk with your Dr...;-)

 

 

# heather 2009-05-28 01:31

I agree with everything said. I am just getting into riding and my husband & I are trying to have a baby. I have a very good horse who knows I am not an experienced rider ( she takes very good care of me) would I ride if I found out I was expecting? yes. I ride w/ a very good group of friends. The odds of something happening doesn't change because you are pregnant, you ride because that's who you are. there is always a chance that something could go wrong its not just because your on a horse BTW I have 3 very healthy children already. I always have had the theory that I am having a baby I do not have a life threatening disease

 

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