Being Around Horses During Pregnancy

[LockeMeadows]

So DH and I are expecting our first child; March 8th give or take. I'm at week number four right now. We lost a baby at six weeks about five months ago and now I'm terrified it will happen again. My first OB appointment is not until next week and I'm a ball of nerves right now. At work, my boss already put me on "light duty"; no lifting heavy patients, no CPR, etc until I get a thumbs up from my doctor (I'm an ER RN).

Apparently, I fall under the "high risk" category due to my recent miscarriage as well as a heart condition. Of course, there is no way I will even sit on a horse right now, but I find myself timid on the ground as well. I've had horses my entire life, own a boarding/training facility, and have fairly safe critters here. However, I'm not my usual self in the barn for fear of a horse knocking me over or getting kicked. My DH is now handling the horses for me completely. Could this be the hormones taking over or have I truly become the crazy BO? If I'm crazy, that is OK, I just need someone to tell me I am because I'm not sure at this point. I am not typically a nervous person, so these are completely new feelings for me.

Thankfully, I have great boarders (friends!!) who are completely supportive. I just can't seem to shake the nerves.

[Twisting]

I'm not a doctor, not even a nurse like you, but I do know that many studies say stress can contribute to miscarriages. Your worrying over getting injured could be as bad as actually getting pushed or kicked. If the horses make you nervous, don't work with them. Perhaps when you are further along you will feel more comfortable, if not it's only 9 months, a pretty short period of time in the grand scheme of things. If you've got a supportive group that is willing to do the actual handling for now I'd say go with it.

[Pirateer]

If your guts says stay back, I'd consider listening to it!

My gut is rarely ever wrong about horses. (I should probably listen to it more than I do...)

[poltroon]

Truly I think being on the ground is as risky as riding. That said, I happily rode while pregnant.

If it doesn't feel right, then don't do it.

[avezan]

First, congrats on this pregnancy! I hope all goes well. Next, no you are not crazy, just human. I agree with the others that the mental health of the mom is very important. You want to reduce stress as much as possible. For some of us, we would be stressed and unhappy if we couldn't be at the barn and couldn't ride. For you, being at the barn right now, especially before your next check up, is stressful. Go with your feelings, and stay out of the barn right now. Keep those stress levels down. It sounds like you have a great support system. I bet as you get further along in the pregnancy and move into a more low risk category, you will feel better about being at the barn. Then go to the barn. If you don't, then stay out of the barn as long as you need to. Best wishes. Think happy thoughts! :)

[BelladonnaLily]

First of all, Congrats! :)

In my non-medical professional opinion, but as someone who has had 4 pregnancies and 3 live births (I had a miscarriage at 9 weeks), early miscarriages in itself are fairly common (many people miscarry before they even know they're pregnant and some pregnancies are never really viable from the start) but having a heart condition absolutely should put you at high risk. So, definitely follow your doctor's advice to a t. If not for the heart condition, I'd say there is very little you can do around horse the first trimester (physically that is...do stay away from regumate, fly spray, other chemicals, etc) that would cause you to miscarry. Those little butterbeans are pretty well protected at that stage. But with a heart condition, I would take no chances.

It's just 9 months out of your life. In reality, your odds of getting hurt on the ground are just as great as in the saddle, so you're right to be cautious. Also, in talking to other mothers, we all seem to agree...pregnancy and motherhood does something to your brain. You are no longer fearless about anything. Even subconciously, I think you know that another creature depends completely on you and you have to be extra-vigilant.

And I agree with the poster that says stress is a bigger problem. If someone (i.e. handling the horses) stresses you out, don't do it.

And again, congrats! Take care of yourself! :)

[drmgncolor]

Locke - Congratulations. I too, recently suffered a miscarriage and I know your feelings quite well. I was in a bad cart accident, which is how I found out I had lost the baby. Long story...
But what I have concluded is this: I cannot walk around on egg shells for fear of losing another. I just cannot. And I will not give up my horses. I may not ride (or do carriage rides) but otherwise, I would hope I could go on normally.

Miscarriages are very very common, just as Belladonna mentioned. Try to relax and enjoy this time!!! And again, congratulations!

[CherishtheMoment]

Congrats! You are not crazy!! I am 5.5 mos pregnant and just stopped riding a few weeks ago (by that I mean walking for an hour on the trails on my safest horse.) I really watch my abdomen area and try not to get in a stall with a horse, unless it is my safest horse!! I have not mucked any stalls since I was 2 mos, and DH will not let me muck stalls, carry hay bales, etc! LOL We are boarding an OTTB here and he is a bit of a handful (due to all the wonderful drugs he was on at the track but most are out of his system now)and I really watch myself with him. Most times when I do go to the barn it is to watch the horses and pet them, feed them treats and play with the cats. I do help my riders that come in to ride my horses for me-getting brushes, bridles, etc. If a horse needs to be brought in/out my DH will step up and do it for me. All of my horses have wonderful dispositions and im not making excuses.

So do what you feel comfortable doing at the barn and its okay to hang back and just watch the horses. Its really the only horse therapy I have right now and Im counting down the days to ride again!

[Skeezix]

First congratulations! The other posters have said it better than I could. Your fears are understandable given your loss. If it is stressing you, you should go with your gut and hang back. Your horses know you quite well and they will pick up on your stress and it might make them twitchy.

[Nes]

I know what you're going through, I was working & hiding my pregnancy at a barn just a year & half ago. It's really nerve wracking, especially when you're around younger and untrained horses, and the horses will sense that. I strongly suggest you look into hiering something for the duration of your pregnancy (and probably a month or so after) - I think it will make you feel allot better. However, I did do 4 stalls up until 3 weeks before I gave birth (sciatica just got too bad!), and it really put me into good shape for delivery, I recomend you stay active :).

and congrats!

[AppendixQHLover]

Congratulations!!!!!

Go with your gut and do what you feel is right.

[MyGiantPony]

Congratulations! Prayers, jingles, etc. for a healthy pregnancy.

Given your history, I'd say being "timid" is probably the right response until the pregnancy is firmly established.

As time goes on, I think you'll probably get more confident about your usual routine.

Until then, don't be afraid to ask for help from friends and family with your chores. I used to work with a girl who said her favorite part about being pregnant was not being allowed to change the cat litter. :lol:

[jeta]

Also, in talking to other mothers, we all seem to agree...pregnancy and motherhood does something to your brain. You are no longer fearless about anything. Even subconciously, I think you know that another creature depends completely on you and you have to be extra-vigilant.

I have to agree with this comment wholeheartedly.....As a mother of two in their twenties now, motherhood forever changed how I viewed the life risks I took....

Congratulations and let your support system take care of things until you feel up to the task....

[Tex Mex]

I am 11 weeks pregnant and just stopped riding. I know that for me, I feel different every week. So if you feel nervous about it now, then have someone else do the work and stay away. But just know that next week, or next month, you might feel totally different, with lots of energy and wanting to get back out there. I don't think there are any wrong answers, just go with your instincts and know that it's all temporary. :)

[Come Shine]

I just can't seem to shake the nerves.

First off, congrats and good luck!

Secondly, though, maybe think about seeing a counsellor to help process some of the 'nerves'. What you are going through cannot be all that uncommon and maybe someone could help with what you are feeling. All the best.

[Reynard Ridge]

Congratulations and best of luck! :yes:

Pregnancy does interesting things to your brain and your body. I think if you are concerned about impacting the pregnancy by working in the barn, then by all means, stay out of it.

Pregnancy is a relatively short period of time in our lives, so do what you need to do to be comfortable and confident that you are doing the best you can for you and the baby.

My pregnancies were high risk, also. I spent four months on bed-rest with my first (while many people can do stalls all through pregnancy, some should NOT), but was able to remain mobile during my second. Believe me, both pregnancies were totally worth anything I had to give up during the very short nine months I was actually pregnant.

[Nootka]

Congrats! I would listen to your gut. You my second guess yourself at the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong horse. Just relax you are not crazy:D

I rode til I was 7months with my son but I havent really even touched a horse in 7 months with this pregnancy. I am about 8months and have gestational diabetes. I just found out 2 days ago and I feel like crap. I am having a hard time regulating my test results. It explains why I have felt as bad as I have for as long. I know I am going to my mare's GOV inspection in a week or 2 but I may be of no help because I will listen to my gut. She can be a handfull at times and she has a foal at her side. I have her on a breeding lease with a fellow COTHer and it is the best thing I have ever done:yes:

[JSwan]

I know NOTHING about having a bun in the oven but I wanted to let you know that I'm sorry for your past loss (and that goes for all y'all that have had a miscarriage) - and I'm very happy for your current bun in the oven.

I note that since you freely admit that you are a crazy cat lady, that you are probably not a crazy BO. Not sure anyone can be that crazy and still have supportive friends and family - much less have any man that would stick around long enough to knock you up.:)

If your pregnancy is high risk and you're worried about ANY additional risk factor then to me the answer is simple. Eliminate any risk factor you can. Or at least minimize the risk to the extent possible.

Talk to your doctor about what type of activity and involvement he thinks is ok and then stick to those.

But most of all - be happy and joyous and positive.

[Laurierace]

I don't think any added stress is healthy for you or the baby, so do whatever makes you feel the most comfortable. Don't fret about it, just go with the flow. You don't need to rationalize your decisions to anyone including yourself. I personally would have gone nuts if I hadn't stayed busy with the horses during my pregnancies so it was the right choice for me to remain involved. Its obviously varies from person to person though. Congrats!

[Nootka]

I personally would have gone nuts if I hadn't stayed busy with the horses during my pregnancies so it was the right choice for me to remain involved. Its obviously varies from person to person though. Congrats!

yeap.... I'm about there. I miss the horses so much can't wait to drop this girl outta the nest..HAA. I will have to be tied up when I have her because I am gunna get on ASAP!

[LockeMeadows]

I don't do stalls anyway; I have two fantastic working students that do my barn work. The problem is that I'm usually "the person" when someone is having trouble with their critter, be it clipping their ears or throwing a leg over the horse if the horse is not listening. Right now, I can't be "the person" and that makes me feel so bad. Horses know when you are not on your game and I'm not at this time. Hopefully once I visit with my OB and she says everything is fine, I'll relax.

It's not like I'm staying out of the barn, I'm just not "hands on". Today, I had lessons most of the day. I also still enjoy going out and checking on the herd and making sure everyone is happy and healthy.

[Mia412]

Don't feel bad about not being able to be "that person" for a while. I'm sure everyone understands! Do as much as you're comfortable doing. If it makes you feel better, give advice to the others who are doing what you'd usually do without getting hands-on.

It's most important that you take care of yourself and the baby right now. Best of luck!

[Private Diamonds]

It's most important that you take care of yourself and the baby right now. Best of luck!


I couldn't have said it any better myself. :)

Priorities change when your pregnant and right now EVERY decision you make has to be about what is best for you and your baby. We are all supportive and will be here to do WHATEVER you need us to :)