Horseback Riding During Pregnancy

For many equestrians, horse riding is more than just a hobby. Horse Riding is a part of the lifestyle and accompanies millions of people every day worldwide. In Germany, for example, more than 10,000 equestrians have a child every year. But riding also has some dangers. Working with a living being that has its own will and character is often unpredictable. This is why equestrians often ask themselves whether riding is dangerous during pregnancy. 

A horse can’t simply be left on its own for a year while his/her rider is pregnant. Horses need food, exercise, social contacts and a lot of attention. Horse owners have a lot of responsibility. Especially in equestrian sports, the horse is a loyal companion that needs to be encouraged and employed. If the equestrian expects a child, this is not only a major change for the equestrian himself, but also for the animal and the sport. Many equestrians want to challenge their horses even during pregnancy, but is that even possible and healthy? 

At ehorses.com, Europe’s largest horse market, have received many inquiries on this subject over the years. Ehorses connects people & horses worldwide, enabling a cross-border exchange between people who share a passion for horses. For this reason, ehorses has had many conversations with pregnant equestrians over the years. It happens a lot that horse riders advertise their horses more often during their pregnancy or look for other riders to help exercise their horse.

Dangers of horse riding during pregnancy

Riding horses during pregnancy present some dangers. Opponents of horseback riding say that it is too dangerous to ride during pregnancy as you could fall off the horse. It is true that a fall from a horse can be very dangerous for an unborn child. Horses are not sports equipment. They have their own will and character. Horses are natural escape animals. The most serene animal can be frightened and thus endanger the equestrian and the unborn child. This danger should not be underestimated and in any case you should talk to a doctor beforehand about the possible consequences.

Particular caution is required when riding particularly young or somewhat wilder horses. These horses should not necessarily be ridden by a pregnant woman. The horseback riding discipline also plays a major role. Dressage on the court is less dangerous than showjumping or cross-country horseback riding. The risk of falling can be massively reduced by careful horse riding. A light hack in the field or on a trail is much less dangerous than competing in a 5* Olympic level showjumping event, for instance.

Horse riding itself can also be dangerous for some equestrians. The horse rider does not have to fall down to harm the baby. Equestrians who are not firmly seated in the saddle shake their baby in the belly unnecessarily. This can bring the child into serious danger. Especially in the first trimester, many pregnant women have a lot of pregnancy symptoms. These include nausea, vomiting, dizziness or general circulatory problems. In this case, affected women should take care of themselves. Abdominal discomfort after horse riding can speak for an overload.

Studies on horse riding during pregnancy

Those who have good basic physical fitness have little to fear. Gynaecologists say that nothing speaks against horse riding during pregnancy if you are firmly in the saddle and do not start learning to ride. In general, exercise and physical activity are healthy for a pregnant woman to keep her body fit and agile. After all, Ashley Cagle, founder of EquestrianStylist.com shared her twin pregnancy announcement at 13 weeks pregnant at the Palm Beach Masters, she wrote about it here. An active pregnancy can also have many advantages for the child later. The movements while riding can even be good preparation for childbirth. The pelvic movements when trotting or galloping are excellent training for later birth. Of course, it is important not to strain the pelvis too much and to take more breaks. In general, safety is important and should be taken particularly seriously during pregnancy.

Alternatives for equestrians

Equestrians should be aware that there are plenty of alternatives to riding during pregnancy. For example, it can be very good to do groundwork exercises with your horse. Horses can also be occupied and fun enough from the ground. Especially when the weather is good, it is a lot of fun to walk with your horse, graze him with a leadrope in a field, and enjoy nature from the ground. In the herd association, horses often only trot across the meadow. A quick gallop is not always necessary for utilization. Especially in mountainous areas, the horse’s muscles are optimally moved and expanded, walking up and downhill are great muscle strengthening exercises. If that’s not enough, you can pass your horse on to family members, friends or riding instructors who can ride the horse in the months of pregnancy.

In conclusion only you can decide whether you should ride your horse during pregnancy. What is important for this decision is the riding experience, the character of the horse and the environment in which you ride. Competitions should be avoided during the later months of pregnancy due to the high stress factor for the horse and the rider.

 

Author: Sarah Weiher | Photographer: Christin Noelle