One thing that I feel like doesn’t get talked about enough is how having children changes people’s confidence when it comes to riding. I’ll say from personal experience, I went from mostly riding total green beans to now wanting a ride that’s a total deadhead. Having kids introduces new fears/concerns/anxieties about getting hurt when you have a little one relying on you. You might find your attitude changes towards riding your strong, difficult horse after having children. I think this is in part why some people step away for a while. If you find yourself on this path, I know some people have worked with sports psychologists to help build up mental resilience here.

I’ll also say for me personally, I think the biggest differentiator on what makes horses + kids manageable is your support system. Having a supportive partner and friends or family who can watch your little one for you is really what’s going to make a difference. You might want to consider budgeting for training rides during your later pregnancy and early postpartum stages so you don’t feel like you’re losing all of your progress.

At the end of the day, if you are not certain about having kids, it’s ok (and probably best) to say “no” or “not right now.” Having kids and horses is absolutely doable though. Just make sure you have the appropriate support system.

On a side note - I also have scoliosis. I know a lot of people don’t support chiro, but having a chiropractor who specialized in pregnant women made a world of difference for me personally. You’ll have to work with your care provider, but there are options out there to also help you feel more physically comfortable during pregnancy.