when should I stop riding my horse?

Question

My horse is pregnant and i was wondering how long into the pregnancy she shouldnt be ridden

Answer 1

As long as your mare is healthy and in shape she can be ridden regularly and then as she gets really uncomfortable taper off. I would NOT hard ride her or put her in a stressful environment.
Hard riding will cause her to lose or reabsorb her foal. Gentle trail riding and exercise is good for her.
My friends and I ride until the mare starts getting really big and looks uncomfortable.

Answer 2

Depends on the horse. If the horse is healthy, fit, and willing, keep riding. If the horse is stiff, lame, gimpy or failing in health, don't ride. I've seen horses as old as 35 still being ridden regularly. There's a 30 year old mare at my barn that gets ridden several times a week. And yet I see ads online for horses as young as 10 that have some sort of physical debilitation that makes it impossible for them to be ridden anymore. So there's not one age that riding stops at. You just have to use your judgement. Generally speaking, you should stop jumping and galloping long before the horse cannot be ridden at all, since those are very hard on the body. As the horse ages, you'd then want to stop cantering, and then trotting. Most horses can keep doing light walking rides almost until the end of their lives.

Answer 3

As long as she's healthy and up to weight you can ride her until term. I've been riding my pregnant mare who is now 10 months and she's fine. Although you may want to try her bareback when she gets bigger and more round. Not only is it uncomfortable for you with your legs straddled so far apart but the cinch isn't going to be her favorite thing. Also when I'm riding my mare bareback I'll sometimes feel the foal kick and move around. Not only is this way cool- but you'll get to connect with your horse better cause you'll be feeling somewhat what she is.

Answer 4

Talk with your vet. Each horse is different and depending on how the pregnancy is going you can ride up to different times. I rode/trained on a horse that was 5 months pregnant and we worked her just like a regular horse. The owner is a vet tech so I know that it was alright to do.

Just ask with each appointment that you take her to, and the vet should give you a nice outline.

Answer 5

I would say it is better if you stop riding till the horse gives birth because riding adds more weight on the horse which makes her really carry lots of burdens on its back and adds a danger on the baby

Answer 6

your vet can give you a definite answer as it is a case by case basis. I have known friends of mine who have ridden their mares on the day that they give birth. Although at that point you would be riding bareback. She does not have to be ridden to be kept in consistant work. Turn her out, lunge her, work with her in hand. All of these are ways to get her the proper amount of exercise that she needs.

Answer 7

You can ride her gently until her third trimester (about 8-9mths) when the foal starts developing at phenomenal rates, or earlier if she experiences pregnancy problems or starts to drop a lot of weight.

Answer 8

I'm not sure. I'd ask a professional to make sure. It seems that as long as the mare is comfortable and the rider isn't too heavy that you should be able to do some light riding.
Take Loving care of your hoese dear,
Pandora

Answer 9

A vet can answer that. I was told up until delivery, but when they are about due, slow down, especially playing games or running.

Answer 10

When you get really bored.