Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} My husband and I are pregnant...yay...I’m 13 weeks, so started my 2nd trimester! It has been the worst 8 weeks of my life without riding, well except the times when I had a broken arm and leg, but that was like only 6 weeks max. Anyway I rode until about 5 weeks...I rode the one day and the next day I was bleeding. !st pregnancy I was freaking out that I had a miscarriage. So Doc said don't ride, since I was at risk. So I stopped. Now I asked him if I can ride again, as I'm passed 3 months...he said yes but be careful! Careful and horses sometimes go well together sometimes they don't. My show horse has been sitting at home being bored, have the neighbors working student ride him couple times a week. But she isn't riding him the way I ride him...he isn't working for her he is just being polite...if you know what I mean. Anyway I was wondering what other expectant mothers have done? I mainly ride dressage, don't jump anymore and would possible ride around our 10 acre property which is all flat. My horse isn't hot or spunky unless pushed into hard work. I'm not going to train him further in levels, just keep him in shape until the ground is frozen. I just have a huge itch to ride, but have a thought in the back of my had what if....some of my friends say don't risk it, doc says it's okay I need to stay active....Any input would be great! Husband says ride if I want to. 

 I think it really depends on how you are feeling.I think it's probably like any other exercise regime - don't start it while you are pregnant, and don't do more than you are used to. If you are not currently at risk, give it a shot.

My former riding instructor rode up until a few weeks before she gave birth (for 3 pregnancies). And she jumped.

 OTOH, a friend of mine couldn't ride - first because she was so nauseous all the time, then because she was dizzy. So she didn't even want to get on a horse. But she wasn't a frequent rider anyway.

 With my first preganancy I only rode for the first 13 weeks or so. This was because we were in the middle of a move and I just didn't have the opportunity. My second pregnancy I rode until about 32 weeks but the last thee weeks or so were just at a walk. With my last pregnancy I wasn't able to ride nearly as much but again it was b/c of circumstances beyond the pregnancy. My doctor also said it was okay to ride. As long as your body is used to the exercise it shouldn't be a problem. If you were new to riding and bouncing around that would be different. The real risk comes with the risks we all take when riding, ie. a spooky horse, horse trips, a fall, etc. Only you can decide how much you trust your horse and your riding skill and how comfortable you are to leave the rest up to chance. There are extra precautions you can take such as only riding in an arena or only riding with a buddy, etc, but no matter how careful you are there is always a risk that something bad can happen. Such is life and definitely such is life with horses! Whatever you decide is the right answer.

i rode up until about 2 weeks before i gave birth and the only reason i quit was because i was too big to get on (babe was almost 11 pds)...but, i was young and stupid... i mean brave....maybe that's why i had such a strong, healthy baby

nowadays i am a big wimp and i probably wouldn't ride (then again the chance of me getting pregnant is zero!)

my girlfriend rode her horse a couple weeks ago in a parade.  the first time for them both.  i said aren't you nervous riding your horse in such a crazy atmosphere while pregnant?  she said, of course, but, it was wonderful and her horse behaved wonderfully.

i think if you're having a healthy pregnancy, you should keep up your regular exercise.  and if that's riding, well, that's what you should do.

--gail

 Well I went riding. I tookit easy. I longed him before...where he was a wild snorting kicking, bucking, jumping horse....i was concerned a little, but i know he does that on the longe line...so i longed him for a good 20 min. Then i got on, as soon as I got on he rounded himself and was like 'yes ma'am what do you want me to do'. I rode for 20 min did walk and trott and he was feeling amazing as always like he never missed a day training with me. then i did a couple canter transitions and called it a day. I couldn't be more happy!!! I will continue taken it easy and ride here and there!! 

 Aw, it sounds like he missed his job!