The Just Bred Mare and Inspections: Jumping...

[Jumper Breeder]

I am curious what others think. I have a mare that was just bred within the last week. She is scheduled to go to an inspection in early September and be presented; to include free jumping...the timing couldn't be worse. I am worried about having to continue to condition her and stress on the embryo. What are the most important things to keep in mind?

What is the general consensus after breeding (light work after 30 days, light work anytime, etc...)?? Is jumping worse because of the activity itself and work required?

[clint]

Has your mare jumped before? I was told that a pregnant mare can continue doing work they were already doing. I had a mare in foal we jumped until she was seven months old, undersaddle. Not huge jumps, but she didn't jump huge jumps in the first place. If jumping is something that isn't a big deal for your mare, I would be terribly concerned. However, if you have to start jump training through a chute within the first 30 days of pregnancy and then take her to the inspection, personally I wouldn't do it.

[SprinklerBandit]

The mare I used to lease was bred several times while I was working with her. At the advice of the owner/vet, I continued to work her (albeit lightly) up until she was about 6 months along. She already jumped, so I continued to jump her, but only 2'-2'6". Maybe she could have gone higher, but she wasn't very big and she had a lot of try, so the last thing I wanted to do was hurt her.

I would be careful and definitely get a real vet's opinion.

[Krallen]

I wouldn't think that adding the freejumping is going to add any more stress than going to the inspection itself. I dread doing anything stressful with them in the first 30-60 days...but I had one mare that continued in solid work (showing in the level 5's) during her early pregnancy and lost it. I had another that I moved around 30 days and she lost it too. So maybe I'm paranoid, but it's based on experience. I've taken mares and did the freejumping when they were further along - 4 and 5 months and it's gone great.

If you're already set on going to the inspection, I don't imagine free jumping would be much of a problem. Are you preg checking before you go?

[maple_brook]

If your mare is in work, keeping her in work at the same level should be fine. Free jumping isn't particularly stressing.

We took our elite mare Day Dream to her performance test for AHS at 30 days in-foal to her 5th foal. She is a dressage horse and had only seen the jump chute to 2 feet a handful of times. That day she jumped a 5ft oxer and received an 8/9 for jumping from AHS. The fetus was fine.

[Jumper Breeder]

Thank you for the replies. The mare is a seasoned pro at jumping and the chute will be nothing new for her. Also, I don't think the inspection in itself would be particularly stressful since she showed for many years. She does have a foal at her side though and is a bit out of shape, definitely not your "pasture potato" type though - she is a very athletic, active mare. I am just worried I may be pushing the envelope a little and the last thing I want to is risk a (possible) pregnancy.