[SweetSavannah]

when is it safe to ride a pregnant horse?

first 3 months, after first 3 months???

and what sort of riding is acceptable?

i have heard different things from people i have spoken with.

i'm breeding my horse this year and i still have a few dressage comps i want to do with her after breeding season. i want to know whats "ok" for a pregnant horse!

[freedom32]

I know several people who ride and compete on their pregnant mares. So long as they are in shape to start with, and not 'big' it should be fine, you can always ask your vet if you have doubts.

[tightpaycheck]

I quit riding mine hard in the winter, and don't start until after the baby is weaned. So about 6 mos? And only because of the snow, we don't have an indoor so I don't ride much anyway. You can ride until the day they foal as long as you keep them in shape the whole time. Usually they recommend no galloping or jumping in the last 3 months.

[cassidy]

i wouldnt do it at the very beginning or at the very end

an i would stick to light work no jumping ect!!

[**BabyGurl**]

I think just for generall health issues id stick to things that arent too strenuous. When we're pregnant where ok for a while but after that you dont see us running and jumping about... Unless your incredibley fit lol!
Id stick with some nice hacking and gentle exercises, It will keep her fit and not overworked But as Freedom said, If your still not sure your vet will be able to help.

[morgangirl]

Riding and exercise actually keep the horse fit and makes for a healthier, easier labor. If your horse is fit then there shouldn't be a problem but I wouldn't start a hard fitness program with her. They do say to use lighter exercise in the last couple of months but it is probably because the horse is bigger and less agile.

[Friesiangirl]

My friend bred her mare last year, she rode her on trails mostly. LONG LONG walks. Kept her moving and kept her in shape, she had a beautiful, healthy stud colt.

[wyldterv]

I worked Dancer under saddle for her entire pregnancy... the last two months I was only riding her bareback and not above a trott. I rode her the day before she delivered... She had a very healthy foal, and overall a good delivery and afterwards did not look like she'd just had a foal. The ONLY reason I'm not riding her WITH her foal at her side, is I moved her home when Elle' was 2 wks old and I don't have a safe outdoor arena finished yet, otherwise Dancer would be getting worked now too.

[Just_me]

I heared that riding in the first trimester is not such a good idea cuz of the risk that the mare could lose her foal.Anything after that is ok.I would stop to ride when the horse is getting uncomfortable(mostly when she is getting close to labor).You can ride her just like you would any other horse.It is actually good to keep a mare exercised.I would not do to much tho,especially when she is at the end of her pregnancy!

[sheplovr]

We rode our mares almost to foaling date reasonalbely. Then after foaling we rode them and ponied the foal. We kept them in shape as they were show horses and that was the way, u do not go out and race them and over heat, just ride a gentle way for exercise and u can show until they start to look in foal and not so pretty.