Pregnancy can be an exciting time, but it can also bring on some unpleasant symptoms, like back pain, fatigue, and nausea. Luckily, there are lots of ways to combat these pregnancy symptoms—including by getting out and riding a horse.
While many people think horseback riding isn’t safe during pregnancy due to the risk of falling off, this common misconception doesn’t tell the whole story about how riding horses can be good for pregnant women. Check out these great reasons why you should consider getting up on the saddle while you’re expecting!
Benefits Of Horse Riding While Pregnant
Horseback riding while pregnant seems like the last thing you’d want to do, right? After all, you’re already uncomfortable enough just carrying your unborn child, and wouldn’t sitting atop a large animal cause even more pain?
Pregnancy can be a joyous time in your life, but it can also come with unpleasant symptoms, including nausea, anxiety, dizziness, and back pain.
Luckily, there are ways to soothe some of these discomforts while enjoying your pregnancy even more, and one of them happens to be horseback riding.
Many women (and men) enjoy riding horses as an activity that can be done alone or with friends and family in the outdoors; it’s also a great exercise for expecting mothers who aren’t ready to give up their regular exercise routine just yet!
5 unexpected health benefits of horseback riding
You might be surprised to learn that the benefits of horseback riding while pregnant are far more extensive than many people believe. Here are just five benefits you might not know about, or perhaps forgot about when you were expecting.
- It improves posture.
- It strengthens abdominal muscles and tones the back muscles, which can help relieve lower back pain.
- It reduces stress and anxiety.
- It’s low-impact so it’s safe for pregnant women who have been told they’re at risk for preterm labor
- And it’s a great way to bond with your unborn child.
Whether you have an active lifestyle or not, there are many reasons why horseback riding during pregnancy is a healthy option. If you’re looking for someone to teach you how to ride, contact Willow dale Riding Academy in Vancouver. They offer private lessons for new riders and group lessons for those who want to get started with friends. Willow dale has all types of horses, from Clydesdales to Arabians, so find one that suits your level of experience!
Exercise While You Are Away
It’s so easy to fall into a routine of following the same steps each day that you may not be getting all the exercise you need. But there are many ways to stay active that don’t require leaving the house.
Many people don’t realize that staying fit during pregnancy is important for both mom and baby. One way to get some exercise during pregnancy is by horseback riding.
Riding a horse while pregnant can provide good weight-bearing exercise, which is good for strengthening bones and muscles. Plus, because horses have long backs, they’re naturally accommodating when it comes to supporting your growing belly!
One Exercise Stretches Multiple Body Parts
One of the benefits of horseback riding during pregnancy is it can relieve muscle tension, stimulate blood flow and increase your range of motion.
Staying on a horse for as little as 30 minutes has been shown to improve uterine health and cause less stress on the pelvic joints. Plus, breathing in the fresh air will help you feel rejuvenated.
Some pregnant women even report that they have more energy when they ride! If this sounds like an activity you’d like to try, talk with your doctor first about safety guidelines.
And if you are a beginner rider who may be worried about being thrown off the horse or falling off because of changes in the balance due to pregnancy, find an instructor with experience teaching riders with special needs so that their balance and center of gravity can be adjusted accordingly.
Letting Go and Relaxing
If you feel more in control, more powerful, and more capable of achieving your goals when you are on horseback, it may not be just in your head. Riding therapy has been proven to relieve stress, anxiety and depression while making you feel like you can conquer the world.
If this is something that speaks to you, talk to your doctor about the benefits of horseback riding during pregnancy.
Talk to other riders who have given birth as well as your own friends and family members for their input before deciding if horseback riding is right for you. Be sure to wear a helmet at all times and take safety precautions if needed.
There are ways to ensure that your balance stays steady so you don’t end up hurting yourself or the baby. Consult with your doctor before taking any risks with a risky activity like horseback riding while pregnant.
Soothing Effects on the Mind
Getting out on a horse gives mom the chance to relax and feel in touch with nature, not to mention the endorphins that come with physical activity.
Riding provides many benefits for pregnant women, including increasing blood flow and decreasing anxiety, as well as strengthening pelvic muscles. In addition, recent studies show that newborns of mothers who have spent time on horseback while pregnant exhibit strong emotional reactivity.
For these reasons and more, it’s never too late to get back in the saddle. One should consult their doctor before getting back into any strenuous physical activity. A Certified Women’s Fitness Expert can help you find the best exercises for your pregnancy stage.
A Certified Women’s Fitness Expert can help you find the best exercises for your pregnancy stage.
Reducing Fear
A lot of fear in pregnancy is due to the unknown. But when you know the facts about what can happen, it can reduce some of those fears. O
ne fact that people may not know is that riding a horse while pregnant can actually help with some discomforts during pregnancy and postpartum recovery. It releases endorphins and supports your uterus, reducing pain associated with contractions, heartburn, and hemorrhoids.
Horseback riding also allows for blood flow throughout the body which helps make room for the baby as well as keep up with the production of nutrients like iron and folate. Studies have shown that women who exercised throughout their pregnancies are less likely to need an induction or C-section than those who didn’t exercise at all.
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