[elizadiane]

Hi there, I just wanted to introduce myself and see if I can find any other pregnant horsewomen out there! I'm a busy horse trainer and breeder who, at the start of a very busy show season, found out that my husband and I are pregnant! Unplanned and unexpected, it's obviously taken me the first 2 1/2 months to get my head around it.
Almost all the women I work around and come in contact with do not want children and can't understand why I 'let' this happen. It's been hard to be positive, and quite frankly, I haven't been able to find myself happy about it yet. We've alway wanted children and have been married for 8 years . . . but I'm having a hard time balancing my fear of the 'unknown', efforts to keep doing as much as I can for my clients, and to keep my own horses fed and healthy. my husband works full time, and while I've backed off outside work at other farms to be able to keep up with things on our small farm, I know that I'm going to be able to do less and less as things go on. And of course, my biggest fear, is that my career as a trainer is over.
As everyone starts asking me if I'm showing or not, and if I still can fit into my show clothes, I'm getting really really frustrated.
Please, please please - anyone out there involved in the horse industry as a professional, or even an avid amateur - please respond! I'm fishing for some support here, to hear how you've managed to keep a foot in the door through your pregnancy, and how you made it back into the show ring with a baby in tow! As a professional, I'm aware of the dangers and risks of riding irregardless of my growing pregnancy, and I'm working with my OB/GYN on this so he gives me the information I need to make informed decisions on what I can and cannot safely do as a professional in my field. (and, my husband's pretty good at reminding me there's a baby on board, too!)
Thanks in advance,
E

[Alejandros Mommy]

Firstly Hello and Welcome to Families...I'm sorry i can't help you with the training stuff...I've never been up close to a horse before...it must be a wonderful job. BUT I have been a mom that has needed to go back to work after baby...all I can say is get things in place now....if you need a few days off a week or a few hrs off to do your training plan for who is going to take care of the baby. Also give yourself some time to bond and recuperate after the baby is born, before going back to work. You'll be glad that you spend the thime with your babe, they grow so fast in their first year.

Your also going to have to be a little flexible when it comes to the times that you need to train...only take on what you think you can handle...who knows people may apprecaite the fact that your taking on less animals and spending more time with theirs...it could work in your favor Good luck and I hope that someone who has been through this can give you a few pointers as well

[wanna be a young mother]

Hi and Welcome!! I am not a professional but I've been riding since I was around 4 years old. I love horses and try to ride one every chance I get. I did talk to my Dr. about this b/c summer is coming and there is a stable 10 mins from my house that I like to go to regularly. I am friends with the couple who owns it and I get to ride for free. My Dr. looked at me like I was nuts when I asked her if I could ride during my pregnancy lol! So sadly until I have this baby there will be no riding for me but once the baby comes I do plan to get back into riding again! I am sure you will find a way to return to work! Don't let other peoples views and opinion make you feel like you can't work during or after pregnancy! Stay positive b/c you will have a gift that none of them have and that is the gift of a beautiful baby! Don't worry to much I am sure your Dr. will give you your limits just remember to follow them! GOOD LUCK!

[QueenAngie]

Welcome to the board!

Congrats on your pregnancy too!

I do not ride horses, but expect that your doctor will advise you best on your activities and your work.

Does not matter what your job is, when you are pg, there are adjustments to be made.....
whether you are a teacher,
a model,
a nurse,
a doctor,
a farmer,
an actress,
a scientist,
or a stay at home Mom.

Will you get your figure back after you give birth?

Yes, but you will need to exercise.

Breastfeeding helps to lose the baby weight too.

Don't let the negative comments get you down.

This baby is a special gift
that shows the love for you and DH together.

Once you hold him/her in your
arms, you will think to yourself,
"This is the most beautiful baby in the world!"
and
"I can not imagine loving anybody else as much as I love this baby!"

Look to the future - very postiively!

Babies and careers do mix together well.

My next question: how old will the baby be when you start him/her riding?

[bkallens]

Hi! It's good to see some other riders out there. I grew up riding and had a horse at home from the time I was 11 until I left for college, but I never had a chance to show. I started riding again last year and made some friends that have more horses than they know what to do with, and made great plans to go to a full season of jumper shows this year with one of my friends horses. Well, I went to my first one (got reserve champion even!) and had a blast. Then I found out that I was pregnant. It wasn't expected at all, and though I was excited about it, I was also really dissapointed about missing out on the opportunity to show this year since it was something I had wanted to do since I was a kid. I know the joy of a baby should far outweigh the dissapointment of not going to some horse shows, but there were sure days those first few weeks where I had a nice pity party for myself about it. I'm feeling better about it now and trying to say involved as much as I can. We found another girl at the barn that is going to take over shoing Tucker for the season, so I'll still have a chance to go to the shows and watch and feel a little involved.

[MissyChrissy]

Often times when we become pregnant, there's a cost involved. Whether the baby was planned or not, women have to give up some things in order to safely carry her baby to term.

Personally, if you're very experienced, I don't see anything wrong with getting on a horse and trail riding. I wouldn't necessarily be jumping or even running, but I'd trail ride. You know yourself-and you know your horse. I think it's hard for people who don't have extensive horse experience to understand how relatively safe it is (compared to other activities we do every day). Besides-I'm not one to worry too much about what "might" happen. I buzzed around (slowly) on my 4-wheeler throughout all my pregnancies, and even rode motorcycle well into my 8th month.

As far as training-I wouldn't be going around any green horses, but if you're training horses that are already docile and you trust them, then why not? I milked cows when I was pregnant with my 1st two-I just stayed away from the ones that I knew kicked! lol

Country gals are tough-they're also very smart. Women have been in and around barns for centuries-and look, the population has survived! Your life will indeed involved adjustments, but instead of giving up anything (permanently) you've created a little being to share your passions with! Believe me, you're going to be SO HAPPY with this baby, you're going to wonder what you were so afraid of

Congratulations & happy trails!

[paulineboyd]

I just wanted you to know I am a trainer as well and have two beautiful children. My first was born just one month after winning an all-around buckle for the FCC. My doc advised me that to drastically change my nrmal routine of riding almost every day would be more harmful then helpful even though she says horseback riding is dangerous. I am still riding, showing, and training my children are now 4 and 9 and I haven't changed a thing since they were born I just have more people to share this love of horses with. I have no doubt you will do the same. Good luck and don't worry if you love what you do you can love it with children too. God Bless all of you. Pauli

[ferdeventing]

I am an amateur rider but have owned a horse for more than 10 years. I had someone ride my horse (in a lease situation) throughout my pregnancy, and then I began riding two days a week, and now I'm almost full-time again (my daughter is almost 2). My advice to you: #1) Yes, you can do it! And don't feel guilty for feeling a bit sad for having to slow or stop riding -- it's not only a source of income for you (bonus!), but also a source of pride, fun, and independence. #2) Before you have your baby, start cultivating baby-sitters -- especially any people who ride and will also be at your barn. You can bring the baby, the stroller, some toys, and work for a few hours with the baby on-site. This especially comes in handy if you are nursing the baby. A trainer who gives lessons one day a week at our barn comes with her mom and baby. And in my situation, there are a couple of young riders who babysit for me on a regular basis at the barn itself. A lot of teens are looking for a way to make some extra cash. #3) You are not going to be able to go back to full-time instantly -- but once you have the baby, you are not going to want to work a million hours (trust me), so it will all balance itself out. Once the baby is six months and then a year, you will feel more comfortable with leaving him/her for longer periods so that you can work and get your riding time in ... Now I need your input as a trainer. Like I said, I have owned my horse for more than 10 years, and he is very special to me because I bought him with a little life insurance money after my mom died of cancer (she loved horses). I think having one child and riding is totally doable, but now we are thinking about having a second child. My horse is a great jumper, but he can be a handful, so not everyone can ride him. My worry is that I won't be able to find a lease this time around. There aren't any strong candidates at our barn right now. Yet, I can't imagine selling him (which is what my husband would prefer). He's a TB and now 13 years old. We do eventing type riding at our barn. If I can't find a full lease and cannot ride him myself, what can I do with him? I can't pay full board and full training. Is it a very bad idea to put him in a pasture for a year? He's never spent time in a pasture. Is it impossible to bring a strong horse, at that age, back after a year off? Especially for an amateur rider such as myself? Help! What are my realistic options??!

[bkallens]

I think you have several options before it would get to where you wouldn't have anyone to ride your horse. I saw an ad posted on a statewide equestrian site by a woman who broke her leg and needed someone to keep her 10 year old TB in shape while she was out. Being that I couldn't afford a horse on my own but loved to ride, I called her up and started going out to ride him several times a week. Now that she's back from her injury and Oscar is in still in great shape, they've started right back into jumper shows. It was a perfect situation for both of us. Advertising on various websites can work, as well as if you have any local colleges. There are usually some very talented riders in college that just don't have the finances to buy a horse but would be able to either do a partial lease or at least keep your horse well trained. Hope that helps!

[CbellE]

You poor equestrian! You are right, pregnancy and horses are incredibly hard things to manange. This will take an incredible amount of work, and, almost harder to accept, help from anyone you can get to help. To me the breeding aspect and maintence was easier to keep up. The demands of riding show horses will have to be balanced and eventually overcome by the demands of your growing baby. The limits and length of what you can do are for you and your Doc to decide. Other that your husband no one else has the right to make these decisions for you or to make you feel guilty about the choices you have made. There is enough worry in pregnancy as is. As for show clothes, you might be able to have a few seams let out a bit, as the widening of the waist (and increased bust) are the only real changes for the first several months. Not that I am discounting in any way anything else that may happen to you. The pregnancy and first year will be the hardest. Don't give up. As well as myself I have known several other tremendous women that have successfuly had kids and coninued professional equine careers. I wish you all the best and remember THIS IS A MIRACLE!!