[Horsegirl878]

My mare is pregnant, and she is now officially on "maternity leave".... She is due April 29th, and I'm now going to stop riding her almost altogether... Just a little walk-trot, but nothing else.

I'm excited about the foal, but I'm going to miss riding my sweet mare... Especially in lessons-who will I ride instead?? No clue...

We weren't planning on putting her on official "maternity leave" for another couple of weeks, but I spoke to the vet today and he said to stop riding her now. So..... It's a bit sudden. But I'll manage. Somehow. Only 3 months until the foal arrives though!!

Anyway, just had to get that out of my system...

[cowgirlek7]

wow, most vets and breeder I have talked to said riding up til a month or a week of the do date is fine, mind you this is light walk, trot, and little canter. It really help wiht the mare's fitness and helps move the foal into position.

[mistysangel0]

my vet told me that I could ride mt mare up til' her due date but just at a walk she said it was good for her to exercise

[Varisha]

I would think you would still need to give her some kind of lite exercise.

When I was pregnant I was told to keep doing same amount of exercise I was doing before... such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Nothing to heavy or hard. Keeping in mind I had no complications to worry about and was fit going into the pregnancy.

However, maybe there is a reason spacific to your mare you vet is thinking about. You could ask another vet's opinion of course.

[Equine747]

Originally Posted by Varisha

I would think you would still need to give her some kind of lite exercise.

When I was pregnant I was told to keep doing same amount of exercise I was doing before... such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Nothing to heavy or hard. Keeping in mind I had no complications to worry about and was fit going into the pregnancy.

However, maybe there is a reason spacific to your mare you vet is thinking about. You could ask another vet's opinion of course.

I agree, Back when my mother was breeding horses we always gave all the pregnant mares exercise. We were riding one of the mares like 2 days before she delivered (only at a walk but we were still riding her)! And when I became Pregnant with my first child I exercised all the way threw it I cant say that for my second child because I was put on bad rest but I would have liked to.

[*Psylocke*]

Your mare will probably enjoy the time off, you'll get through! My mare's been off since Dec 14th...lol and she is due the end of May! She loves being a pasture horse though so she isnt minding the time off one bit...lol