Horse Riding During Pregnancy – Is It Safe?

Riding a horse is an experience in itself, offering a unique blend of excitement and connection with nature. Some may find it intimidating or scary, while others are drawn to the thrill and cannot get enough of it. For pregnant women, the question often arises: Can a pregnant woman ride a horse and move around comfortably? While there’s no doubt if a pregnant woman can ride a horse, the real concern lies in whether it is safe for her and the baby. Read on to understand how to make informed decisions about activities like horseback riding during this sensitive time.

Can You Horseback Ride While Pregnant?

The answer is straightforward: yes, you can ride a horse while pregnant, but it largely depends on the stage of your pregnancy. However, it’s crucial to exercise extreme caution if you choose to do so. Pregnancy is a natural process, and both you and your developing baby will experience daily growth. As your baby grows, you’ll notice various physical and emotional changes in your body. These changes can impact your daily activities, including hobbies like horse riding. If you’re passionate about riding, you’ll need to adapt your approach as your pregnancy progresses to ensure safety for both you and your baby. Always prioritise care and consult your healthcare provider for guidance.

Risks of Riding a Horse When Pregnant

While riding a horse might make you feel good or even be calming and pleasing, it is not without exposing yourself and your pregnancy to some major risks.

1. The Constant Bouncing Movement

Whether your horse is trotting or walking slowly, the movement is continuously up and down throughout the entire time. Furthermore, this movement is not smooth and often jerky. If any bouncing gets too extreme, your baby’s position could shift suddenly and cause it internal injuries as well.

2. A Sense of Discomfort

Even if you have a very soft and comfortable saddle, the experience of riding a horse is not all that perfect as it looks from a third-person point of view. Riders who have been on horses for a good period of their lives, still complain about a sense of discomfort and even feelings of nausea. With pregnancy putting your body on a rollercoaster ride already, an uncomfortable horse ride should not be another addition to the troubles.

3. The Risk of Falling off the Horse

There’s a major difference between a horse and any other vehicle. No vehicle can push you off their back or kick you. Here there are chances where you might lose your balance, or the horse might attempt to throw you off its back. A fall during your pregnancy can be fatal for the child and even yourself.

Are There Any Benefits of Horse Riding When Pregnant?

Below are some potential benefits of horse riding, though they should be considered with caution and only during the early stages of pregnancy if approved by a medical professional.

1. Improves Balance and Coordination

Horseback riding requires a great deal of balance and coordination, as riders must synchronise their movements with the horse’s gait. This can help strengthen core muscles, improve stability, and enhance overall body awareness. For pregnant women, maintaining good balance can be particularly beneficial as their centre of gravity shifts during pregnancy.

2. Boosts Mental Well-Being

Spending time outdoors and interacting with horses can have a positive impact on mental health. The calming effect of nature, combined with the companionship of an animal, can reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. This emotional boost can be especially helpful during pregnancy when hormonal changes often affect mood.

3. Fosters Connection with Nature

Horseback riding often takes place in outdoor settings, providing an opportunity to connect with nature. Fresh air, sunlight, and the beauty of the natural environment can have a positive impact on mental and emotional well-being. This connection can be particularly refreshing for pregnant women who may feel overwhelmed by the demands of pregnancy.

4. Enhances Posture

Proper riding techniques require an upright posture, which can help counteract the slouching that sometimes occurs as the belly grows. Maintaining good posture during pregnancy can alleviate back pain and improve overall comfort, making horseback riding a potential tool for promoting better alignment.

5. Promotes Relaxation

The rhythmic motion of a horse’s walk can have a calming effect on the rider, similar to the soothing sensation of rocking in a chair. This gentle movement can help reduce tension, ease muscle stiffness, and promote relaxation, which is especially valuable during pregnancy when stress levels may be higher.

6. Builds Confidence

Mastering the skill of horseback riding can be an empowering experience. For pregnant women, this sense of accomplishment can boost self-esteem and confidence, helping them feel more in control during a time of significant physical and emotional changes. The confidence gained from riding can also translate into other areas of life.

Warning Signs to Stop Riding While Pregnant

In case you do decide to ride a horse carefully when you are pregnant, you definitely need to keep an eye out for some warning signs that could indicate that your pregnancy is at risk. Any sign of such symptoms should be brought to the doctor’s notice immediately (1).

• Swelling in the calf or intense pain
• A weakness of muscles in different regions of the body
• A constant and intense headache
• A feeling of being breathless before proceeding with any exercise
• A reduction in the frequency of movements of your child
• Pain in the region of the pelvic girdle
• Pain in various sections of the abdomen
• A tendency to experience extreme fatigue
• Signs of bleeding from the vagina
• Leaking or gushing out of amniotic fluid
• Initiation of contractions of the uterus signifying premature labour
• Feeling dizzy or fainting completely
• Palpitations followed by pain in the chest
• A shortness of breath that makes it difficult to breathe

While some women may consider horse riding while pregnant in the first trimester to be relatively low-risk, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure the safety of both mother and baby.

Exercise Alternatives to Horse Riding in Pregnancy

While horseback riding may not be the safest option during pregnancy, staying active is still important for both physical and mental well-being. Fortunately, there are plenty of safer alternatives that provide similar benefits without the risks. Here are some pregnancy-friendly exercises to consider (2):

• Walking: A low-impact activity that improves circulation, boosts mood, and helps maintain fitness levels. It’s easy to adjust the pace and duration to suit your energy levels.
• Prenatal Yoga: Focuses on gentle stretching, breathing techniques, and relaxation. It enhances flexibility, reduces stress, and helps prepare the body for labour.
• Swimming or Water Aerobics: The buoyancy of water supports your body, reducing strain on joints while providing a full-body workout. It’s also great for relieving swelling and discomfort.
• Stationary Cycling: A safe way to get your heart rate up without the risk of falling. It strengthens the legs and improves cardiovascular health.
• Pilates (Prenatal): Focuses on core strength, posture, and stability, which are especially beneficial as your body changes during pregnancy.

FAQs

1. Does horseback riding affect the pelvic floor during pregnancy?

Horseback riding can put pressure on the pelvic floor, which is already under strain during pregnancy. This added pressure might contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction or discomfort. If you’re an experienced rider, consult a pelvic floor specialist or physiotherapist to assess whether riding is safe for you.

2. Are there specific horse breeds or riding styles that are safer for pregnant women?

Some women ask if certain horse breeds (e.g., calmer, smaller horses) or riding styles (e.g., walking instead of trotting) might make horseback riding safer during pregnancy. While a calm horse and slow riding may reduce risks, the potential for sudden movements or falls still exists. Always prioritise safety and consult your healthcare provider before making any decisions.

This was all about horse riding and pregnancy. Staying away from horse riding in early pregnancy is mandatory since that is the time when the embryo is making your uterus its home. Even so, any horse riding later in pregnancy should be avoided as much as possible.

References/Resources:

1. Fédération Équestre Internationale – Horse riding while pregnant

2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists – Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

Also Read:

Air Travel in Pregnancy
Travelling during Pregnancy
Car Travel during Pregnancy
Riding a Two Wheeler in Pregnancy
Is It Safe to Go Boating while Pregnant?

Our Editorial Policy

Parenting is a huge responsibility, for you as a caregiver, but also for us as a parenting content platform. We understand that and take our responsibility of creating credible content seriously. FirstCry Parenting articles are written and published only after extensive research using factually sound references to deliver quality content that is accurate, validated by experts, and completely reliable. To understand how we go about creating content that is credible, read our editorial policy here.