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Pregnancy/Babies and Owning Horses

6K views 14 replies 11 participants last post by  QtrBel 
#1 ·
Hi again!

So after 4 years of knowing I was infertile, today threw a curveball at the life I was building without kids in the picture: I’m pregnant.

So, I’m astounded, but also worried as I have two horses and literally just last week bought a filly. For those who have been there, owning and training horses while having small children, how did you do it? Obviously I may not be able to ride until I recover from childbirth. But all too often I see people sell their horses after having a baby. I don’t want to do that and want to try my hardest to keep the life I had planned. My horses mean too much to me and I’m already suffering from the riding restriction.

So I guess I’m asking how to cope and any experiences or advice you think I should know. Thank you!
 
#4 ·
I AM quite afraid of anything happening. So maybe I could do a few rides in the arena with my quiet gelding and no riding my green 3 year old. Haha got it!

I didn't sell any of my horses when my kids were small. I bought a yearling colt when my daughter was 3 and trained him myself. I got my son, who was 8 at the time, to help me with his training. When it was time to start riding my colt, I set my little daughter on him the first couple of times, just so he could feel the weight (not to ride or anything. I never took my hands off her).

My husband was not terribly supportive of my keeping the horses (although oddly enough, he encouraged me to buy the yearling, go figure), so I rode in the early mornings when the kids were sleeping and my husband hadn't left for work yet. He would not watch the kids so I could ride. I started taking my son in front of the saddle when he was 13 months and was walking, and took him on almost every ride until he was 4 and riding my husband's horse on trails on a lead line. I started taking my daughter at 9 months in front of me, since I had been taking my son for 3 years, I felt really secure and comfortable, both with my ability to handle horse and child, and knowing my horse would behave calmly.

There were a LOT of short, kind of boring rides during those years. I always quit when the kids said they'd had enough. But it was wonderful to be a mom--I loved every minute of it--and I did get to have horses, ride, and even train a rambunctious colt.

Being a mom was unquestionably the greatest, most exciting thing that ever happened in my life, and I am thrilled for you!

PS: One of my most treasured memories were the 2 a.m. feedings, when the whole world was sleeping, and just me and my baby drinking. I did have to get up and work in the morning, but somehow that magical time did not stress me out.
Wow, what a great turnout for you. I guess I just hear about how I won’t have time for them anymore and my dad telling me to sell them but reading this gives me some hope. Of course I’ll never know what the future brings but it feels good to just talk about it (horse forum or not) with people who have been there already. I am quite excited, just shocked mostly! Lol
 
#3 ·
I didn't sell any of my horses when my kids were small. I bought a yearling colt when my daughter was 3 and trained him myself. I got my son, who was 8 at the time, to help me with his training. When it was time to start riding my colt, I set my little daughter on him the first couple of times, just so he could feel the weight (not to ride or anything. I never took my hands off her).

My husband was not terribly supportive of my keeping the horses (although oddly enough, he encouraged me to buy the yearling, go figure), so I rode in the early mornings when the kids were sleeping and my husband hadn't left for work yet. He would not watch the kids so I could ride. I started taking my son in front of the saddle when he was 13 months and was walking, and took him on almost every ride until he was 4 and riding my husband's horse on trails on a lead line. I started taking my daughter at 9 months in front of me, since I had been taking my son for 3 years, I felt really secure and comfortable, both with my ability to handle horse and child, and knowing my horse would behave calmly.

There were a LOT of short, kind of boring rides during those years. I always quit when the kids said they'd had enough. But it was wonderful to be a mom--I loved every minute of it--and I did get to have horses, ride, and even train a rambunctious colt.

Being a mom was unquestionably the greatest, most exciting thing that ever happened in my life, and I am thrilled for you!

PS: One of my most treasured memories were the 2 a.m. feedings, when the whole world was sleeping, and just me and my baby drinking. I did have to get up and work in the morning, but somehow that magical time did not stress me out.
 
#5 ·
Haven't ever had kids or been pregnant, but I just wanna say CONGRATS!!!!! That's such a miracle! A new horsey kiddo on the way! Congrats again! Babies are fun!
 
#8 ·
Thanks for the responses and well wishes! Truly a miracle in my eyes!



Thank you so much!


Congrats and best wishes for yours and the bean's health!

Do you have anybody helping out? Significant other, family? Most excuses I see for people giving up animals after a baby is lack of time, but if you have others helping out with feeds and exercise and all that, it'll be easier.

Animal interaction is great for small humans, too. There's lots of ways to do it safely.
You better believe my kids will have a life filled with animals of all kinds! Such great teachers, they are.

I do have others helping, thanks for asking. I think I'm going to have my fiance get on my gelding every once in awhile just to keep him refreshed, and I have a trainer for my 3 year old who can probably put some miles on him. So, I'm content for now, but still can't wait to ride again (it's been like a week :shock:).

First of all, CONGRATS! How exciting!

And it can be done. Sometimes it seems there are not enough hours in the day but it can be done. I have two children (ages 2 1/2 and 9 months) and (now) 3 horses. I usually only have two horses but since Red was hurt this seasons, I rode Dexter instead (along with Shotgun), and now I really like him too! So I don't know what I'm going to do next year, LOL. I don't know if I could possibly keep 3 horses in shape but maybe Red won't be ready to get back to barrels yet with his injury and I'll ride Dexter some more. Time will tell.

As far as riding while pregnant, that is completely your choice. For myself, it just so happened I had horses that were hurt during my first pregnancy (and winter approaching) so I didn't ride. But with my second, I rode until I was about 4-5 months along, and my riding jeans wouldn't fit anymore (and our season was wrapping up anyway). And barrel raced too. However, I know my horses like the back of my hand, tand hey are well-mannered and well-trained. I would NOT get on an unfamiliar horse nor would I ride a green horse, personally.

In your case, since you've had great difficulty getting pregnant, you might not want to take the chance of a fall. But again, that's up to you to decide. It's also good to let your doctor know. They might not agree with you riding, but you should still let them know. (My PA was awesome with that b/c she's a horse friend!!)


My daughter is nuts about the horses and loves then. She'll be 3 next year so I'm going to get her her own little saddle so she can actually start riding around a little for real on her own! I'm lucky in that my Shotgun is a nice laid back horse -- perfect for kids. His favorite speed is stop, LOL (unless he knows it's time to run barrels :cool: ). Heck, my old man Red might make a nice kid horse too.

So sweet to hear! What a cute family you must have!
Aw, I hope my child is as horse crazy as your daughter! I was horse crazy too, but I wasn't raised with them until I convinced my parents to get me lessons (best day ever!).

I am probably going to skip riding, not only because of the infertility, but because I really don't know yet if I'm higher risk or not. I would LOVE to continue riding, and haven't fallen in a long time, but I don't really know if it is worth the risk.
 
#6 ·
Congrats and best wishes for yours and the bean's health!

Do you have anybody helping out? Significant other, family? Most excuses I see for people giving up animals after a baby is lack of time, but if you have others helping out with feeds and exercise and all that, it'll be easier.

Animal interaction is great for small humans, too. There's lots of ways to do it safely.
 
#7 ·
First of all, CONGRATS! How exciting!

And it can be done. Sometimes it seems there are not enough hours in the day but it can be done. I have two children (ages 2 1/2 and 9 months) and (now) 3 horses. I usually only have two horses but since Red was hurt this seasons, I rode Dexter instead (along with Shotgun), and now I really like him too! So I don't know what I'm going to do next year, LOL. I don't know if I could possibly keep 3 horses in shape but maybe Red won't be ready to get back to barrels yet with his injury and I'll ride Dexter some more. Time will tell.

As far as riding while pregnant, that is completely your choice. For myself, it just so happened I had horses that were hurt during my first pregnancy (and winter approaching) so I didn't ride. But with my second, I rode until I was about 4-5 months along, and my riding jeans wouldn't fit anymore (and our season was wrapping up anyway). And barrel raced too. However, I know my horses like the back of my hand, tand hey are well-mannered and well-trained. I would NOT get on an unfamiliar horse nor would I ride a green horse, personally.

In your case, since you've had great difficulty getting pregnant, you might not want to take the chance of a fall. But again, that's up to you to decide. It's also good to let your doctor know. They might not agree with you riding, but you should still let them know. (My PA was awesome with that b/c she's a horse friend!!)


My daughter is nuts about the horses and loves then. She'll be 3 next year so I'm going to get her her own little saddle so she can actually start riding around a little for real on her own! I'm lucky in that my Shotgun is a nice laid back horse -- perfect for kids. His favorite speed is stop, LOL (unless he knows it's time to run barrels :cool: ). Heck, my old man Red might make a nice kid horse too.
 
#9 ·
Totally curious, how far along are you and when is your doctor's appt?


Most of the time, there aren't contraindications to riding while pregnant (of course, disregarding the risk of fall). In the first trimester, falls aren't as worrisome because that little baby fetus is pretty well protected. But of course, if you have something such as placenta previa then riding can be very dangerous for both you and baby. Which you won't know until you have your first doctor's appointment. Again, just be sure to ask lots of questions and include them on your decision!
 
#10 ·
Congratulations! My mom had a Arab mare named Foldger Sunday and rode her when she was pregnant with me all the way until 7 months. Maybe that's where my love from horses came from? Unfortunately my mom sold the horse because she didn't have the money. First time I got to sit in the saddle I was about 9 years old..
 
#13 ·
Most Drs will say no and most riders will say not an issue. If the horse is well trained and you are comfortable then go for it. If there are conditions that would make you more prone to loss through physical activity there are many other things that will be on your DON'T list as we'll. Not just riding. Too many other things that can cause issue to cut out riding just because.

A good friend and avid rider was in a car accident with injuries of a nature that an emergency c-section had to be done to save her. They didn't expect baby to make it as baby was at an age and weight that viability was questionable. Baby did though. She rode all the way up to the point of that accident. That to say if you take precautions there are other things more likely to cause harm. She's glad she has those memories of riding as it will be a long time before she is back on her horse. Working now to train him to drive so they can both have horse time.

I rode throughout my pregnancy and through more losses than I care to count. I'd have never made it through the losses without the horses and riding. Physical activity was't the reason for the loos nor did it make me more likely to lose. My fondest memory pregnant was an all day ride in Hawaii. We were on vacation at an all inclusive resort that wouldn't let me do anything pregnant not even some of the sight seeing tours. We found this ride through a friend.
 
#14 ·
One of the ladies on my equestrian drill team rode through her entire pregnancy til the day before she went into labour. Not sure how many days she took off, but it seemed like she was right back in the saddle afterwards. She spent a lot of time riding bareback while she was pregnant, but at least her horse was very calm.
 
#15 ·
I forgot to mention that portaplay (like Graco) are a must have. Safe place for baby to hang out as long as you have a safe location to put it while working around your horse. Finding a horse happy teen to exchange some horse time with while you ride and they watch baby helps too.
 
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