Since becoming pregnant, I’ve received a lot of questions about riding and pregnancy — so I decided to share my experiences and knowledge with you.
During my first pregnancy, I tried to ride my horse during the first three months. Having miscarried twice before, I carefully discussed everything with my gynecologist, who reassured me that in early pregnancy, riding isn’t necessarily dangerous. Around week 10, I sat on my horse… but I didn’t feel safe at all. Fear took over — “What if I fall? What if something happens?” That was the first and last time I rode during pregnancy.
Let’s start with the basics:
According to medical advice, the first trimester is generally safe when it comes to movement. If a pregnancy is not viable, unfortunately, it will likely end regardless of what you do. In early pregnancy, the womb is still protected deep inside the pelvis.
Many riders worry most about these first months — yet paradoxically, the bigger risk comes later.
As pregnancy progresses, the womb grows beyond the pelvis, and protection from muscles and organs lessens. If a fall happens later in pregnancy, it can cause much more damage. Every rider must take personal responsibility and be fully aware of the risks involved. No one can guarantee safety, and no one else can be held responsible.
How Pregnancy Changes Your Body (And Why It Affects Riding)
- Breathing changes:
The diaphragm gets pushed upwards by about 5 cm to make space for the baby. The rib cage expands. Many pregnant women struggle to breathe deeply, especially in the third trimester. - Core stability decreases:
With the diaphragm’s shift and weakened core muscles, your body starts depending more on your back muscles and legs for stability. That’s why many pregnant women experience back pain — and in the saddle, you might find yourself gripping with your legs or hands without realizing it. - Fascia tension:
Fascial lines are under different tensions. The front line (belly) expands, which can lead to diastasis recti. The back line compensates. Riding while the body is adapting like this can create imbalances and injuries. (More about fascial tensegrity: Anatomy Trains). - Pelvic floor stress:
The growing baby already places great load on the pelvic floor. Sitting and riding adds even more. Relaxing your hips and pelvis during riding — something that normally feels natural — becomes very difficult. - Hormonal changes:
- Relaxin hormone peaks around week 12 and continues increasing. It softens ligaments around the pelvis and lower back, making joints looser — and more prone to injury.
Progesterone increases breathing sensitivity to carbon dioxide. It makes pregnant women breathe faster and more shallowly.
During exercise (like riding), this can easily lead to overbreathing, pregnancy rhinitis, pregnancy asthma, and even sleep apnea.
Mindset: The Most Important Part
When you are pregnant, it’s natural to feel responsible for the little one growing inside you.
But fear and tension in your body affect your horse. When you are tense, your horse feels it. Riding becomes stressful for both of you.
A tense body, shallow breathing, and a distracted mind mean you’re no longer a calm and balanced partner for your horse.
My Honest Advice
Give yourself (and your horse) a year off from riding.
You will not lose your connection — actually, it will grow stronger.
You can do wonderful groundwork exercises, improve communication, and work on mobility and trust from the ground.
When you return to riding after pregnancy, your partnership will be even deeper.
Speaking from my experience — and I’m not a professional competitor — I built a stronger bond with my horse through play and groundwork. And I believe that helped both of us to grow.