Fiona Ford is right, although my Doc also keeps horses and he advised me to stop if it became uncomfortable or difficult to get on. He knew I would not just stop. For those of us with horses, it would be like having a dog and never letting it out of the house for exercise...not possible and not responsible either. My horse is an ID X and very laid back, we are currently still competing at medium level dressage and I have kept horses since early teens, I have been 'qualified' for many years. I am now 40, 20wks pregnant and just finding extended trot a bit uncomfortable as this puts pressure on my tummy muscles due to the driving force required. At this level, even sitting trot should not be 'jerky or bouncy' but most horses do not perform at this level, so probably are. You must also remember that most of us rider's activity takes place on the ground. If you don't trust your animal implicitely, get some help. Never put yourself at risk. Picking feet out and putting studs in is now getting to be a problem for me because of the weight of the foot, and pushing a wheel barrow in deep mud is not an option. Your horse will not suffer unduly if his feet are not picked out every day, if you have to muck out, get someone else to empty the wheel barrow, and organise your chores to fit in with help available. I have found a person in my village who will poo pick my field and help muck out in the winter in exchange for a lesson from me once a week and some hacking. I am certainly not taking any risks jumping and have not since I discovered I was pregnant at 6 weeks, neither am I hacking out alone or doing distance rides any more. Schooling in a well fence area, with a soft surface is a must too. Lunging is relatively safe and can keep your animal ticking over, also a long stint without the rider or saddle can be very beneficial for most horses who will develop top line and fitness if done correctly. If you have an instructor ask them for advice. 10-15 mins of correct lunging is the equivalent to an hours hack, so there's no need to wear yourself out either. If you have a regular lesson, perhaps your instructor could ride / lunge for you for the same money. Other things to consider:- If you just hire an animal once a week, and don't have the responsibility of owning one, stop now, there's no point putting yourself at risk for someone elses profit, you can always go back to it later. If you're a novice and not qualified or a professional, don't get on anything you don't know inside out. All horses (even mine) can spook, avoid situations if at all possible - no matter how good your horse is in traffic, take refuge in a gateway and don't take the risk if you can avoid it. Make sure the electric fencing is switched off before you shimmy under it - if you still can! Get a hosepipe so you don't have to carry buckets. Get your feed merchant to deliver so you have no need to lift it. Hipster style Jodhs fit under your bump and are more comfortable. Invest in a Parrelli halter and practice with it, this will give you greater control on the ground. Carry your mobile with you at all times, even around the yard. If you're stabled alone, make sure someone knows where you are and what time to expect you back - obvious but we all forget. Don't ride off piste without company, if anything happens you need to be found, and local landmarks such as ditches, logs and gaps in hedges might not be as obvious to your rescuers as they are to you - stick to clear well travelled (by non horse rider) routes. Any pain or cramp - get off, if it doesn't go away fairly immediately speak to your midwife. Don't try to get back on from the ground, unless you have a welsh section A of course. When getting off, try to have someone slow down your descent a bit, so you don't land heavily, bend your knees to absorb the shock and get off into the muck heap if you can (messy but it works!) Any unusual breathlessness get off too... if your just a bit puffed, return to walk. Don't get overheated, your baby cannot control it's temperature, and you will have a body temperature a degree higher anyway. Try to ride / do your chores when it's cooler in the mornings and evenings if possible. If you hurt in the morning and feel like you may have done a 3 day event or hunted, you've done too much - back off a bit. Nothing is worth losing your baby, so don't push yourself, or allow yourself to be pushed. Consider putting your horse in livery if you can afford it. Don't feel guilty, if being pregnant means you have to put your season on hold til next year... it's worth it in the long run. Get help wherever you can. Listen to your midwife / GP, if you have any pregnancy problems, riding will not help. IF IN DOUBT ... DON'T Finally - think about getting more grass for the little pony you will inevitably need! Good luck xx Jules

You can continue to take part in most activities during the first trimester of your pregnancy (months 1-3), but may need to stop vigorous exercise as your pregnancy continues. Because of the risk of injury caused by falling off, you should only continue horse riding in pregnancy if you are a professional or an expert. Horse riding is also a jerky, bouncy activity that can put a lot of strain on the ligaments that support the womb.
Peter Bowen-Simpkins, spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says: "The major danger caused by riding occurs after 28 weeks. The risks aren't associated with the process of riding as such, but with falling off and landing on your tummy."
He believes the likelihood of taking a tumble increases with pregnancy, but adds: "Also, during the first 12 weeks there is a relationship between trauma and miscarriage."
Sports such as skiing, squash and hockey should also be avoided because of the risk of injuries and shocks. This can increase your risk of miscarriage even if you're otherwise fit and healthy.
If you do decide to exercise during your pregnancy, symptoms that may indicate possible complications with your pregnancy include:
• dizziness or headaches,
• chest pains or heart palpitations (when you notice an irregular heartbeat),
• severe or rapid swelling or your hands, feet or face,
• vaginal pains, bleeding, or contractions, or
• having difficulty walking.
If you experience any of the above symptoms stop exercising and see your GP or midwife immediately.
Exercise and activities recommended during your pregnancy include, walking, swimming, and yoga.

I carried on riding my 22 year old mare until very late in pregnancy (competing until 3 months and then hacking and schooling until 8). Others around me had their own opinions, but it was my choice. You have to weigh up your and your baby's safety and the exercise and enjoyment (& relaxation) gained!! However my best buddy stopped riding very early on as she found sitting in the saddle uncomfortable and had a more flighty horse to contend with. It's up to you, but you and your baby staying safe is the most important thing to consider!!

i didnt find out i was pregnant till i was 12 weeks and i was still going thai boxing , full contact , i gave up when i found out ,, but i was still going to the gym and kicking bags ect , till i got to big and tired

I used to ride professionally and due to the nature of the horses I was involved with at the time gave it up! Had I have had an old and sensible gelding that I could have just hacked out on for relaxation then I would have continued!

It is a high risk sport/activity and each situation should be assessed on an individual basis, however it is also important that you are relaxed, happy and safe to your own standards.

The people around you will and do worry and if they know no or even a little knowledge of horses (a little knowledge is a danagerous thing!) then they are likely to be against it. Mary King international 3 day eventer went around Badminton cross country course while pregnant!

I am now back riding again and although not doing what I used to do I am now aiming at high end competition again and my daughter is one year old in a two weeks time!

I didn't ride throughout my pregnacy, mainly because my horse is not predictable therefore it wasn't worth the risk. It was hard but my little boy is worth 9 months out of the saddle! However if my mount had been sensible i Probally would have continued riding for a while. However it is worth remembering that although the obvious risk to your baby from a falll, you are also at risk of more serious injuries as your ligament are lax due to pregnancy hormones preparing your body to give birth. The main risk would be soft tissue back injury, which can be a very serious and cause ongoing pain in the long run. also you may not realise you have injured your back untill after you have your baby. Obviously your ligiments are more lax nearer the time your baby is expected, therefore risk increases.

If I had been inexperienced like the other lady riding would have been out of the question!! your baby is too important!

Hope this helps, ultimatly its your choice, you know your horse and your level of skill. Good luck

hello horsedentist! i'd like to know the same, i've started to go out with my dad and step mum on their horses and really want to keep it up but my other half doesn't want me too, he's even banned me from going on the back of his motorbike, which i love doing, i can see where he is coming from but it doesn't stop you from being gutted that you cant do it does it?! i was just getting the hang of doing a rising trot ( i think thats what they called it, trotting while sort of standing, without your arse slapping on the saddle?) Xx

Please can I have people views on this? I have had horses for as long as I can remember and am a very competant rider, and i am currently 7 weeks pregnant, my partner and parents seem to think I should stop riding my horse and I can 100% understand their views. However, none of them have ever ridden or owned a horse, my horse I have had since a baby and is so very very laid back, I no horses can be unpredictable but i'd trust this horse with absloutley anybodys life without a doubt. Im desperate to get back in the saddle as part of keeping fit and enjoyment. I know lots of women who have ridden right up until the day they have given bitrh and others who stop immediatley they found out they were pregnant, Please Help! xxx