Horseback Riding Safe?

Is horseback riding safe during first few weeks of pregnancy?

[ni]

I was told that horse back riding is not safe.  It also in all of my pregnancy books.  The first trimester is a very fragile time.  

Gina

[Hope2BAMommy]

Hey, thanks for quick response. This weekend my dh and I are going to visit friends who have horses and it is possible I conceived around Jan 27th. So, I definately won't ride the horses. Problem is, every since we have been ttc (May 2003) I am always careful during 2ww (like telling dh I couln't go in hot tub just in case), but my dh says I can't live my life in a "just in case" mode. I happen to disagree, because what if I am pregnant and then I go do something dumb and hurt my baby! What could I say when they ask me to go riding?

[IWantToBeAMom]

Tell them you pulled a hamstring or something while you were exercising.  I've shown horses for years, and believe me, it's very tough to ride when you've pulled a leg muscle...you can barely get in the saddle.  ;-)

[ni]

I was suppposed to go to aruba and a week before going I found out I was Pg.  We cancelled our trip.  I was so miserable that week feeling sick and tired.  Also, I would not have been able to do a lot of things that I would have normally done if I was not pg  Thank god for vacation insurance.

[Christina S.]

I was wondering why it was full too!

[Angel4JohnnyB]

Hi,
I'm sure others will have a very different opinion than me but here it goes.
You are on you 2ww.............right?
So you may or may not be prego..........
I agree with your hubby, you can't live every month (2ww) in fear of hurting the baby.
In MOST cases, the dr. is going to tell you to continue doing what you have always done IF you feel comfortable doing it. I agree that they do say not to ride horses but it isn't about riding.........it's about falling off.
As for the hot tub.......if you're on your 2ww there is really no reason why you can't go into the tub. The books I have read say that if you do something you shouldn't do in the early weeks before finding out you are actually pregnant that chances are everything will be fine.
All in all, it is totally up to you as to what you do or don't do. I have never had a miscarriage, only problems becoming pregnant, but I can understand those that have had problems in the past being extra careful.
Hopefully I have made some kind of since here.
Hugs,
Vikki

[Still_AndiJ]

I guess it can vary person to person. If you are used to riding and such, it may not be  a problem. A close friend owns 4 horses and rode 1 of them until she was about 6 mos pg with both of her kids. The major concern is falling, unless you plan on running them then that would be a bit too much of a jarring motion.

Ask your doctor, but if you don't feel comfortable, certainly don't do it.


Andrea

[chey101]

why is the forum full after just 2 questions? i've been waiting a couple of days to post.

[Hope2BAMommy]

Thanks everyone for the input. I ended up not riding, but then no one did so it was no big deal. I guess I would rather be "safe than sorry" though.