Is horse riding safe during pregnancy?
No — the NHS advises pregnant women to avoid horse riding throughout pregnancy. The primary concern is the risk of falling from the horse, which carries a meaningful risk of abdominal trauma. This advice applies regardless of your experience level or how well you know your horse.
Why the risk is serious
Falls are unpredictable
Horses are large, powerful animals with their own instincts and reactions to their environment. Even the most experienced riders on the most trusted horses fall occasionally — this is an accepted part of the sport. A horse can spook, trip, stumble, or react unexpectedly in ways that no level of riding skill can fully control.
Falls from horses are particularly significant because of the height involved. A fall from even a pony puts you at significant distance from the ground, and landing on the abdomen at that height carries the risk of placental abruption and direct fetal injury.
Balance and centre of gravity change during pregnancy
As the bump grows, the centre of gravity shifts forward and balance becomes less reliable. The secure, balanced seat that an experienced rider develops over years becomes harder to maintain as pregnancy progresses. Pregnancy also increases ligament laxity through the hormone relaxin, making joints less stable — further affecting the secure position in the saddle.
The saddle position
The close contact and physical position of riding — the pressure of the saddle on the pelvis, the movement transferred up through the seat, and the physical demands of maintaining position — become increasingly uncomfortable and potentially problematic as pregnancy progresses. The saddle that fits correctly at a pre-pregnancy weight may not fit or feel the same during pregnancy.
Beyond the fall: vibration and impact
Even without falling, trotting and cantering generate significant repetitive impact and vibration through the pelvis and abdomen. While there is limited specific research on this in pregnancy, the general principle of avoiding significant abdominal jolting and jarring applies here.
What if I am an experienced rider with a very quiet horse?
This is the most common question asked about riding in pregnancy, and the honest answer is that the advice remains the same. The risk is not primarily about riding skill — it is about the unpredictability of the horse. A horse that has been entirely reliable for years can still react unexpectedly to an unusual sound, a sudden movement, or another animal.
The NHS guidance does not distinguish between experience levels because the hazard — an unpredictable fall from height — cannot be engineered away by good horsemanship.
Staying involved with horses during pregnancy
If horses are a central part of your life, being around them does not need to stop entirely. Most activities on the ground around horses are safe with sensible precautions:
- Groundwork and handling can continue with care — avoid being in positions where a horse could kick, strike, or push into the abdomen. Be cautious when bending to pick up feet or working close to the horse’s hindquarters.
- Yard work can generally continue in the first and second trimester. Heavy lifting (mucking out, hay bales) should be reduced.
- Spectating and coaching at competitions keeps you involved in your equestrian community.
- Care and grooming of horses you know well is generally manageable with awareness of your bump and keeping a safe position around the horse.
The key in any groundwork is to be aware of where the horse’s feet, hindquarters, and head are relative to your bump, and to move more slowly and deliberately than you might have before pregnancy.
When to seek advice after any incident
If you are near a horse and experience any impact — being bumped, nudged, or knocked, even mildly — contact your midwife and describe what happened. Symptoms that require immediate medical attention include:
- Abdominal pain or tenderness
- Vaginal bleeding
- Reduced or absent fetal movement
- Fluid leakage
- Any fall, regardless of how it felt at the time
If you cannot reach your midwife, go to your nearest maternity assessment unit.