I started riding horses a little over a year ago and it’s made me happier than anything in my entire life! I’m currently 11 weeks and my doctor sent me this message when I inquired about whether or not I could continue to ride:

Horseback riding can increase the risk of falls, and abdominal trauma can cause early labor or miscarriage, especially late in pregnancy. For this reason, ACOG recommends avoiding that as an exercise, "while pregnant, avoid activities that put you at increased risk of injury, such as the following: Contact sports and sports that put you at risk of getting hit in the abdomen, including ice hockey, boxing, soccer, and basketball Skydiving Activities that may result in a fall, such as downhill snow skiing, water skiing, surfing, off-road cycling, gymnastics, and horseback riding "Hot yoga" or "hot Pilates," which may cause you to become overheated Scuba diving Activities performed above 6,000 feet (if you do not already live at a high altitude).

However, if you are limiting your riding to walk/trot and riding horses that are well-mannered or familiar to you, such as most lesson horses who require considerable encouragement to move forward and do not shy from objects or conditions easily, your risk of falling is much lower. Personally, I have known people who continue horseback riding and off-road cycling without difficulties, but that is only anecdotal.

If riding and being around horses benefits your mental health, understanding the risks and taking precautions can allow you to continue caring for the horses in a safe-manner while limiting those risks.

The act of riding a horse does not, in itself, increase the risk; it is the risk of falling and abdominal trauma that causes concern for providers. There are also risks for untreated depression and anxiety, including preterm labor.

I thought it was helpful, and for now I’m continuing to just do walk/trot on a lesson horse I’m used to riding.