I'm 5 months pregnant & still riding but finding it a bit of a struggle both through fitness levels suffering & concern for bump if something happens.

Most of my yard buddies fully support me continuing to ride but I'm now feeling obliged to ride even though I'd rather not - then I get hit by feelings of guilt & laziness if I dont ride as my boy is doing brilliantly & giving him months off seems such a waste so I'm stuck in limbo land half commited but not really knowing what;s for the best!!

Is there any advice/support from others that have been 'with bump'??

My advice is always listen to your instincts! Your body generally knows what it can handle. If you feel up to riding, ride - if not, see if someone else can exercise your boy that day. Bumps are very resilient things - I was building a roof (using telegraph poles for support timbers) at 8 months pregnant with my youngest, 'coz I felt I could do it that day. I was actually at a show the day he was due - he turned up a week later, none the worse for wear!

As a mum to several children I have ridden whilst pregnant but only up to about 5 months. TBH I've never worried about how much time off my pony has had-in the 8 years I've owned her I reckon she's only worked half of that!!! I don't know how old your horse/pony is but generally it shouldn't do him any harm to have some time off, after all a lot of people let their horses down for the winter. I wouldn't feel guilty about not riding, as long as the essentials are taken care of your horse won't mind, just think, when it's freezing cold outside and tiddling down with rain you can veg out with a hot drink snug indoors.
My youngest is just 2 weeks old but I'm not bothering with riding until the clocks change, then (fingers crossed!) I should be able to get going again properly for the summer .




I used to have a handle on life but it broke!

Like SeaSpirit says, bumps are very resilient - the foetus is surrounded by fluid to cushion it. I pushed our car to get it started (we couldn't afford a new battery) for the last 3 months of my pregnancy up to and including the day my son was born, and he was fine (and so was I). There will be days when you feel like sh** and those are the days you don't do much, and vice versa. Pregnancy is a totally normal, natural process, it's not an illness!

they 'can' be resilient.. but then problems 'can' occur... If you are able to hold your head high and accept that you were happy doing what you are doing if something goes wrong, then that's what is best for you. If you would be left feeling guilty or wondering.. then it's not right for you.

I had a miscarriage some years ago, soon after a 'hard' ride - I didn't know I was pregnant or wouldn't have ridden, and will never know if the pregnancy would have been a good one had I not ridden. I know I wouldn't have ridden, as I gave up my motorbike the minute I found out I was pregnant with Erin, for the same type of reasons.

Good luck whatever you decide. And major congrats on the baby!


Hugs, Jane and the boys.

I gave up riding when I was pregnant. I figured it was not worth the risk. Bumps may be resiliant on some occasions and there are many stories to support this but there are also many stories which show that things can go drastically wrong. I thought about it and realised I would never forgive myself if something went wrong. Each to their own though. It sounds to me as though you would like to stop for now and if I were you I would, dont worry about feeling as you are being lazy etc and your horse will be absolutely fine without being worked. I know its a shame when they are coming on good, but he will come on good again in the future. Kick back, relax, enjoy and good luck!!

I rode upto 9 months pregnant (my son decided to stay put until 10 months!!), the mother-in-law didn't approve but i felt i could continue and my horse was an absolute saint. It certainly never affected him he is now 14 and 6ft 1 and playing rugby for Hampshire!! With my daughter i chose not to ride and promptly had a serious car accident and started losing the pregnancy, as the doctor had told me the foetus had probably died in the accident, i started riding over the following days and amazingly the bleeding stopped and everything 'settled down' and she arrived safe and sound 6 months later!! So, if you feel you want to ride, go for it... your body is a wonderful thing and it will soon let you know when it is time to stop.

I rode up to 32 weeks with William, albeit at a slightly slower pace, not that Benji moves that much anyway!

I gave myself a scare after making him work the day being so lazy at a show with another rider. I ended up having a scan as I had obviously over done things. That's when I decided to call it a day.

I trusted my youngster enough to back her during the early months. As long as you feel comfortable and bump isn't hitting the pommel then I'd say carry on. Benji was ridden by someone else a couple of days a week but he's also the type you can get on several months after not being ridden and he's not stupid.

My mum didn't approve of me riding, but my arguement was that I could have a car accident so was I to stop driving too?!

It kept me sane to me honest and I think I would have gone crazy if I hadn't ridden. I was lucky enough to be back in the saddle 8 weeks later.

The "pregnancy police" do get about but it's no business of theirs what you do.

What date are you due?

do what you feel is right for you, dont let people bully you. personally i wouldnt ride but that isnt because i think its wrong but simply my body wouldnt be able to do it as i have trouble carrying anyways

Aw thanks everyone for your comments...its hugely appreciated as I'm feeling a little out of my depth with this one!!

My lad is a 16.2hh rather 'sprited' lad who is prone to hurling himself about if there's scary beasts in hedges which is why I've started thinking about this - that said in company he's a total donkey so maybe its time to admit defeat with the intense schooling & resort to countyside hacks with others...!

I'm going to do all the yard work until bump decides to arrive so guess I can use the extra time gained through not riding much as 'quality' time with Moo grooming & stuff as he'll probably get put on the back burner for few weeks when baby's born

Hi, If it helps just to know you're not the only one, I'm 5 months gone & still riding & (when I'm back at work after the holidays) I cycle 8 miles a day back & forth to work. The cold weather puts me off riding more than the bump! I intend to keep going as long as I can. I do find trot uncomfortable- so I don't do much of that.

Stuff happens, you can't avoid all risks in life- you've got to live it & assess risks for yourself. Horse riding is dangerous - pregnant or not, so those of us who choose it for a hobby do so (hopefully) understanding the risks. Basically, I'm happy with the choice I make to keep going, but you have to make the decision for yourself.

I personally have found the people I ride with the most supportive people to date with whatever I've decided to do or not do! Everyone else expects me to sit at home, rest & eat for the next 4 months despite having a perfectly healthy pregnancy.

Anyways- whatever you decide- best of luck. I've been worrying more about how to get the horse back up to summer fitness after the baby comes!

Good for you pregnant girls, make your own decisions & Choices, you only live once and must do what you feel is right for you. In answear to how you can keep your horses fit or bring back to fitness, how about long reining & lunging, Julia Ryde -Rogers is holding a clinic on how to do it correctly, it might be just the ticket for you two as it is something you could do right after the babbies are born.

best wishes

my cousin rode whilst pregnant she said the baby popped out really quick prob cuz she was so fit from riding