09/02/2025
๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ ๐
๐ข๐ฏ๐: ๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐โ๐ฆ ๐๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ
Horse time during pregnancy looks a little different to normal.
During my first pregnancy, I rode up until 24 weeks. I really didnโt want to stop but ultimately made the decision for safety reasons. It dawned on me one day that I was putting a helmet on my head, but my belly was exposedโฆ
This pregnancy I had in my mind that I wasnโt going to ride at all. However, very early on, I did have a couple of rides.. but I was so unwell and fatigued during the first trimester that I mostly only had enough energy to feed the horses, let alone get horse time in. By the time the second trimester came around, I had already a big bump and decided that riding just wasnโt the priority, and wasnโt worth the risk. Plus, with what I do with my horses, riding doesnโt need to be the big focus anyway. But gosh, I do miss it! I am doing home exercises to help with my postpartum recovery and return to riding process. At the moment, I feel that Iโm in the second trimester โsweet spotโ, where I have a bit of energy and am moving around ok, so I am trying to make the most of it!
Horse time usually looks like me getting all 3 horses up around the arena (actually, I open the gate and they lead themselves up- thanks to positive reinforcement), and one by one I play with each of them. I usually have a list of things Iโm playing with- at the moment - target stretches, lateral work, some of their favourite tricks, and some fitness based things (like transitions and poles/cavalettis) to help counteract the lack of exercise. Even though they live on hills and a semi-track system they still look healthier when they are regularly ridden. I also usually have different obstacles set up with specific tasks in mind and usually build on that task for a few sessions before moving onto something new. My plan is always flexible, and I often adapt/change my plan depending on how the horse feels and how the session pans out.
I am now just starting to get out and about with a recent trip to the beach (see pics in the last post), and I hope to do a few walks in the forest before I become too large/uncomfortable to do more. Last pregnancy, I was at the beach with Beauty 2 days before I gave birth- but this time around I have definitely not felt as active/mobile/comfortable.
I am still exploring more R+ based work at liberty drawing inspiration and education from Nadine Lindblom's Academy. I really admire her ethos, knowledge, and ex*****on, and I especially love the playful nature she brings out in her horses- something I hope to unlock more with my own.
I also love Kelly de Geusโ work and draw upon the pivo lessons I had with her during my last pregnancy! I think she is amazing and her work is world class!
And of course I still very much follow Karen Rohlf/Dressage Naturally and all that she had taught me over the years. Still pinching myself that I was able to have a private lesson with her on my own property! And host an epic clinic with her in 2023! An experience I will cherish forever!
๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ ๐โ๐ฆ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ข๐ง๐ /๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ ๐ข๐ง:
HOOVES- In the past 6 months I have moved my horses from a 6+ week trim cycle to a 3-4 week cycle and have noticed a huge difference in their hoof balance and overall comfort. I have also had Beauty in Flex Boots for groundwork/riding for some time and she seems to be a lot happier in them.
NUTRITION- I have switched my horses to a different vitamin/mineral supplement and have noticed a difference in their hoof health too. Although, the horses donโt find it overly palatable and Iโve been considering trying other brands.
SADDLES- I was a cult wow saddle user until one day I decided to experiment with other saddlesโฆwhich turned out to be a very costly and frustrating exercise, and I have since happily returned back to Wow saddles and my horses are a lot happier, as am I! I hope that I can one day interview the creator of Wow saddles, David Kempsell on the podcast!
BITLESS- I have made the decision to retire Harriet from wearing bits, at least for now. She just kept telling me she wasnโt 100% comfortable in them, even though I had found one that seemed okโฆshe has just always been happier bitless. And I am absolutely loving using the beautiful Amalia Bitless Bridle that I designed in conjunction with Natural Horse World / LightRider!
EMBRACING my own style of horsemanship- for so long Iโve been comparing what I do with how others do it and feeling like Iโm just not good enough. Whilst itโs healthy to reflect and grow, Iโve finally reached a point where I feel comfortable in my decision making process and my reasons behind what I do- even though itโs not perfect. Every person and every horse are unique individuals and I am happy just doing things my way, even though thereโs room to grow, and even though people I respect and admire do things differently.
๐๐ฒ ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ฌ/๐ ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฆ:
I plan to gradually return to riding in a safe and healthy way- thereโs no rush and I am careful to prioritise healing and my family in those early weeks/months. I will follow a graduated exercise program to return to riding ensuring I have built up enough core, pelvic floor, and postural strength that riding requires.
๐๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฆ ๐ ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐ฌ:
Iโd still love to ride Grand Prix bridleless one day but itโs not a pressing/urgent goal of mine anymore. I honestly enjoy the process of working towards it. Itโs nice to have a vision, without the pressure of a deadline. I may not ever get there but I really enjoy the work- and it makes me happy seeing my horses have lightbulb moments, engage in the training, and really put in effort willingly and happily.
~~~
Now, more than ever, I appreciate time with my horses. After all these years I still am in awe of their beauty, strength, and gentleness and am so grateful to have them in my life.
In the next update, I will share more about what Iโm doing now with my horse business, and what you can expect on this page going forwards.
I help riders achieve connection, confidence, & communication with their horses ๐ฉท
