Thoughts and ideas about riding and training horses 2010-07-08T10:06:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/ Copyright (C) 2007-2009 Irina Yastrebova Bella Wise

Comment on "Riding pregnant mares" by Bella Wise

<DIV>Hello, I have a 5yo Dutch Warmblood mare that I am soon breeding to champion jumper stallion, Pilox. My mare stands at 17 hands and Pilox is 17 hands. My mare has never foaled before, would it be more dangerous if I went ahead and bred her to a same size stallion since this is her first birth? Or would it be more wise to breed to a smaller stallion for her first baby? I am planning on breeding her in September. I have heard many mixed opinions on breeding that late in the year. Will it be harder for her to become pregnant and keep it? She is very fit and would be in tip-top condition.</DIV> 2010-07-08T10:06:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2009/02/09022001.htm#comment33 Irina Yastrebova

Comment on "Riding pregnant mares" by Irina Yastrebova

<DIV>Riding mares later in their pregnancy must be done carefully, however, it is quite safe. It does depend on your mare size, size of her belly, your size, etc. If you are concern the best person to talk to is your vet. Good luck with the breeding!</DIV> 2010-06-28T10:01:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2009/02/09022001.htm#comment32 Handy Andy

Comment on "Riding pregnant mares" by Handy Andy

<DIV>Is it really safe to ride them that late into their pregnancy? I am hoping to breed my Arab mare but I really dont want to lose out on riding time. What should I do?</DIV> 2010-06-24T14:49:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2009/02/09022001.htm#comment31 Irina Yastrebova

Comment on "Riding pregnant mares" by Irina Yastrebova

<DIV>I found that pregnant mares are actually less willing to buck than open mares. Their heavy bellies and the instinct of not disturbing the foal makes them more careful. You said your mare was treated badly. I think this is why she is like this. She does not trust humans and pregnancy makes her more worried. Instead of trying to ride her spend time to establish a relationship. Work with her on the ground: grooming, leading exercises, walking her through obstacle courses, lunging, etc. When she gives birth spend time with her and her foal. And when the foal is strong enough start bringing her back to riding. Good luck.</DIV> 2010-04-06T09:54:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2009/02/09022001.htm#comment30 Carol Harris

Comment on "Riding pregnant mares" by Carol Harris

<DIV>Hi my mare is in foal don't know how far as we took her in she was very skinny and ill treated from her former home. We have had her nearly 5 months now she is big in belly she was hard at start to ride not knowing that she was in foal and now we can't even get saddle on her she wouldn't even let farrier trim her feet without having to restrain her. Now we can't even ride her, she is Arab. Has this anything to do with her pregnancy or stubbornness as we don't really know how far she is with foal? We thought 5 or 6 months or she could be more. We tried riding her bareback on Sunday gone and she starts to back you up to a tree to throw you off is this the usual thing a mare does or not, thanks. Carol Harris </DIV> 2010-04-05T23:12:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2009/02/09022001.htm#comment29 Irina Yastrebova

Comment on "Riding pregnant mares" by Irina Yastrebova

<DIV>Regarding starting your mare under saddle I am more concerned that she is 13 years old than the fact she is 3 month pregnant. I have helped my friend to start a pregnant mare when she was 2 month pregnant. The mare worked beautifully and I rode her until she was 9 months pregnant. She gave us couple bucks at the beginning but nothing serious and then worked in walk, trot and canter during winter. The foal was very healthy and strong. 13-year-old horse is a little bit too old and may find work under saddle difficult to accept. You still can do a lot of ground work with her: in-hand, on the lunge line and long-lining. This will keep her healthy and fit without stress of learning to carry a rider.</DIV> 2010-04-01T21:27:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2009/02/09022001.htm#comment28 EMM

Comment on "Riding pregnant mares" by EMM

<DIV>I have just purchased a 13yr old broodmare who is about 3 months pregnant. She is currently unbroken and extremely overweight (bad!) and I was thinking of having her broken in so that I could exercise her and help get her in a healthier weight range. Is breaking her in going to be too demanding for her physically? The trainer is a very sensible and knowledgeable horseperson and I doubt he's going to be bronco-riding her. He was a bit concerned about the fact that she was pregnant. Obviously breaking to saddle is going to be something new that she isn't used to and she may throw in a few bucks and carry on before finally settling down. I would wait until after foaling to break her in but I'm worried that if she remains at this unhealthy weight there is going to be a higher risk of complications with the foal. She is an Arabian mare and a VERY good doer and it is difficult (close to impossible) to restrict her grazing access in the current paddock. Is breaking in a pregnant mare a no-no? Or is it achievable? What would be the risks or things to be careful of?</DIV> 2010-03-19T20:58:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2009/02/09022001.htm#comment27 Irina Yastrebova

Comment on "Riding pregnant mares" by Irina Yastrebova

<DIV>Bringing a foal with you to arena depends on the situation. If as you said the road is very quiet and people are very considered and slow down when they see a horse and especially a foal then you can start taking him with you quite soon. Other factor is to consider how well trained and well behaved the mare. You need to make the assessment yourself and after the foal born to see how mare's behavior has changed. Leaving a foal behind will not work unless he almost ready to be weaned. You can put a collar on a foal when he is older but only to pony to the arena. Do not leave it on the foal while he is running around. He can hurt himself. Find a trainer who works with babies a lot and talk to him/her about your situation.</DIV> 2010-02-22T22:52:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2009/02/09022001.htm#comment26 Shannon Ardell

Comment on "Buying a young horse. Part III." by Shannon Ardell

<DIV>Congrats Irina. You must be very excited after a long search. Its spring here in Abbotsford, plus 15 C today so I've been back riding and ready to do a video for you soon. I'm also going to try to watch a few lessons at Williams Lake as I'll be passing through during May long weekend. How fun. All the best to you.</DIV> 2010-02-20T21:04:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2010/02/10020801.htm#comment3 Kyrie Wilson

Comment on "Riding pregnant mares" by Kyrie Wilson

<DIV>hi I'm looking to buy a mare but the only mares tat i have been offered that i like are in foal or with a foot,i would be keeping her at my bosses yard,who has some broodmares and young stock too,but the arena is a 2 min walk down a road,although not used much only by the people who live there,my question is would i leave the foal there,after it is eating grass with the other mares or bring it with me???? how old would you say it is OK to put a head collar on the foal I've seen vary young foals but others say not till over a year thanks Kyrie</DIV> 2010-02-18T14:08:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2009/02/09022001.htm#comment25 Irina Yastrebova

Comment on "Buying a young horse. Part III." by Irina Yastrebova

<DIV>Thank you, Melanie for your kind words. I'm very sad to hear about Legend of Spring. What a tragic loss. I hope you found yourself another horse as beautiful and kind as she was.</DIV> 2010-02-09T22:44:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2010/02/10020801.htm#comment2 Melanie Cress

Comment on "Buying a young horse. Part III." by Melanie Cress

<DIV>Hello! I just wanted to let you know that I purchased Santo's full sister, Legend Of Spring, in 2005 as a yearling. Showed her at Dressage at Devon and several other in hand shows. She had a lovely disposition and great mind. Unfortunately, we lost her due to an in-field accident. Would have loved to see her potential. Best of luck with Santo I'm sure he is just as wonderful as my little Spring! -Melanie</DIV> 2010-02-09T18:58:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2010/02/10020801.htm#comment1 Cheryl

Comment on "Riding pregnant mares" by Cheryl

<DIV>Hi. I am considering buying a mare. She is turning 9 this summer and she had a foal in 2008. (I believe she has had more than one, but I don't know for sure.) Her current owner has never ridden her, but says she was ridden by her previous owner. We are assuming she will need to be broke to ride starting from scratch. They also believe she is pregnant now and due in July or August. Her belly is big right now, though I'm assuming that has more to do with her previous pregnancy and being out of shape. Her back looks like it is slightly sagging too. I'm wondering a couple of things. First, at this age, do you think she would still be okay to break to ride? She has an extremely kind disposition, but I don't know whether that will mean she will take well to being ridden. Second, if we did train her, do you think her body will come back into shape as we condition her? And third, if we got her this spring, would it be wise to do any work with her now, or would it be best to wait until next summer, once her baby is weaned and we have a whole spring and summer to devote to her training? </DIV> 2010-02-04T11:31:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2009/02/09022001.htm#comment24 Irina Yastrebova

Comment on "Riding pregnant mares" by Irina Yastrebova

<DIV>It is wise not to ask too much collection, especially, if you feel her muscles are not there yet. Build them, ride her more forward, go hacking, small jumps, gymnastic work with cavalletty. Lots of changes of rein and transitions inside the gait. Make sure you are not pulling her into slower trot with the reins. Keep good contact but do not hold her there, keep hands steady but elastic. You will feel collection coming when she becomes stronger and more balanced. And her belly will start to shrink. Make sure she is not overweight. This will keep belly big.</DIV> 2010-01-26T18:59:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2009/02/09022001.htm#comment23 Gabrielle

Comment on "Riding pregnant mares" by Gabrielle

<DIV>Hi, I am not riding a mare that is pregnant but I just recently bought a mare who had a foal 9 months ago she did not do any work after having the baby until I bought her a few weeks ago and she only did some trails before. Her belly still has the very pregnant look to it but she has lost her muscle definition. I have been getting her back into riding and gradually building each day, but I am unsure how long it will take before the pregnant belly is gone. I have not been asking for much collection since her muscles are not quite there yet but should I wait until her belly is gone and she will be able to bend more or is she ready to do collected work? </DIV> 2010-01-25T16:07:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2009/02/09022001.htm#comment22 Pushpendra Pande

Comment on "Riding pregnant mares" by Pushpendra Pande

<DIV>Thank you so much as I am having two pregnant mares one is 7 months and another is 5 months and had left riding them due to they were carrying but now you made me realize that I can and also that they shall be more happier if I do so. Thanks again. I am from India.</DIV> 2009-12-23T22:22:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2009/02/09022001.htm#comment21 Irina Yastrebova

Comment on "Riding pregnant mares" by Irina Yastrebova

<DIV>No, Donna. I'm advising against showing her while the foal is still at her side. I'm sure the show organizers will be against it and will not allow you to enter the competition. The picture above is the show at our barn and the foal was allowed to enter the ring with me if he wanted. Ride and train her and you will be able to show her in September/October after weaning the baby.</DIV> 2009-12-07T22:41:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2009/02/09022001.htm#comment20 Donna

Comment on "Riding pregnant mares" by Donna

<DIV>Hi there, my 5 year old percheron/cross is in foal and due April 8th. Show season starts end of may, would it be possible to still show her next year with the foal only being a couple months old. will it be safe to have it tied to the trailer while we show. We can park about 50 ft away from the ring. Pending that the foaling goes well she will be back in training a couple weeks after birth. would you recommend doing this? She is a very easy keeper so I'm not worried about weight loss or fitness as she is being ridden often right now. Thank you for your time. Donna</DIV> 2009-12-05T19:51:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2009/02/09022001.htm#comment19 Jordan Thomson

Comment on "Riding pregnant mares" by Jordan Thomson

<DIV>Hello, I am considering breeding my 12 year old quarter horse, but I'm wondering how soon up to her birth date I can ride? I've heard lots of different theories but there doesn't seem to be one assumed length of time.</DIV> 2009-11-13T13:32:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2009/02/09022001.htm#comment18 Irina Yastrebova

Comment on "Riding pregnant mares" by Irina Yastrebova

<DIV>In February your mare, Yolanda, will still have 5 months to go. There is a good chance she will not be very big. She will probably just start to grow her belly. I'm not familiar with dressage levels at pony club. However, if collection is not required then your mare will do just fine. Use common sense and keep your mare's interest ahead of your ambition to compete. However, if training goes well and your mare enjoys being worked I do not see why you cannot. If you have to travel far talk to your vet about expose to horses from other areas. If the show is local than there is no problem.</DIV> 2009-11-07T22:23:00-06:00 http://www.balancedrider.com/blog/2009/02/09022001.htm#comment17