Can you ride a pregnant horse?
Christopher Davis
Updated on May 01, 2026
A healthy pregnant horse can be ridden during much of her pregnancy. However, there are periods when riding should be avoided, don't ride a mare for at least 30 days following conception or during the final two to three months before her due date. Otherwise, it is ok to ride your pregnant horse.
How long can you ride a horse that is pregnant?
“In general I tell people if they're excellent horseback riders and are just walking around on the horse, they can continue up to 12 weeks,” says OBGYN Kay Daniels. “But after 12 weeks, no riding.How long do you have to wait to ride a horse after giving birth?
Just like humans, a mare that is in good physical shape and at an ideal weight will carry and deliver her foal with ease, provided there were no complications. At five weeks following birth, you may consider a veterinary examination to determine if your mare is fit and sound for riding.Can you ride a foal?
Young horses should not be ridden hard until they have physically matured enough to safely carry weight. For most breeds, this will occur when the horse is approximately 2 years old.Can I ride a broodmare?
Also, over exertion in hot weather or high humidity could result in dehydration or heat exhaustion. Either of these conditions will put both the mare and foal at risk. It seems to be a widely accepted rule that riding a broodmare for her first 6-8 months of pregnancy is okay and can even be beneficial.Ask the Vet - How long can you ride a pregnant mare?
How do you ride a pregnant horse?
A healthy pregnant horse can be ridden during much of her pregnancy. However, there are periods when riding should be avoided, don't ride a mare for at least 30 days following conception or during the final two to three months before her due date. Otherwise, it is ok to ride your pregnant horse.Can you ride a nursing mare?
The mare, too, can be so distracted with worry about her offspring that riding her may be no fun at all. Allowing the foal to run alongside her while you ride is perfectly fine, so long as you're in a safe, enclosed area. If you must separate them, try to find a companion to keep the foal company in the mare's absence.Can I ride horses on my period?
Being on your period makes your whole intimate area more sensitive and so horseriding may affect you a lot more. Good riding underwear with correctly placed padding can be your best ally at this time. It will take away some of that saddle impact and make you enjoy riding even while on your period.Why shouldn't you look a horse in the eye?
Never look a horse in the eyeYou're only a predator if you intend to eat what you're looking at. Horses can easily tell the difference between a predator looking to eat and predator looking in curiosity and wonder. Horses do, however, struggle to understand the intention of a human who hides his eyes.