🐴 Exercising Mares in Early Pregnancy: Vet Advice for 2025 🤰🏇

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

One of the most common questions mare owners ask is: “Can I still ride my mare if she’s pregnant?” In 2025, science continues to explore this delicate topic, and while there’s still much we don’t know, recent studies have started to offer clearer guidance. 🧠🐎

📉 What We Know About Early Pregnancy & Exercise

Historically, veterinary opinion varied due to limited research. While exercise is encouraged for pregnant women, the same evidence didn’t exist for horses—until recently. 🔍

💡 Key Early Findings:

• ❌ Exercise before and immediately after fertilization (especially in embryo donor mares) reduced embryo recovery rates
• ⚠️ Exercise prior to day 16 of pregnancy was also shown to be detrimental

This means that very early pregnancy is a sensitive time—and rest is likely best. 📆

🧪 New Study: Exercise from Day 16 to Day 80

A study conducted by veterinarians from Florida and Clemson investigated:

• 🏇 Exercise sessions starting from day 16 of pregnancy
• ⏱️ Sessions lasting 30 minutes initially, increasing to 45 minutes
• 🚶 Trot and canter work with rest every 5–10 minutes

📊 Results:

• ✅ No harm to the fetus or disruption of pregnancy
• 📏 Fetuses were longer in exercised mares—suggesting enhanced growth

This is similar to human studies where babies born to active mothers had longer crown-to-heel lengths. 👶

📅 What Does This Mean for Mare Owners?

🔹 Safe Exercise Window:

• 📆 From day 16 to approximately month 8 appears safe for light to moderate riding

🔹 Avoid Exercise:

• ⏳ Days 0–16 post-breeding—critical for implantation
• ❗ When embryo transfer or fertility issues are a concern

🔹 Exercise Intensity:

• 🚶 Light hacks, long trots, gentle flatwork
• ❌ Avoid high-impact work or intense conditioning

As a general rule: If your mare is healthy and in work before conception, light activity can likely continue—after the initial two weeks post-breeding. ✅

📋 Tips for Monitoring Pregnant Mares in Work

• 🩺 Schedule ultrasound exams to confirm pregnancy viability
• 🐎 Monitor behavior and energy levels
• 🔄 Adjust workload as the pregnancy progresses

By 8 months, most mares are retired from riding to prepare for foaling. 🍼

📲 Ask A Vet for Pregnancy Support Plans

Wondering how much exercise your mare can safely handle during pregnancy? Visit AskAVet.com or use the Ask A Vet App to plan safe riding schedules, track fetal growth, and assess risk factors. 📱🐴

Dr Duncan Houston and the team can provide weekly guidance, pregnancy monitoring, and fitness adjustments tailored to your mare. 💬🧠

🏁 Final Thoughts

In 2025, the best advice is to rest your mare during the first two weeks after conception, then resume light, regular riding until around month 8. With close vet supervision, exercise can be beneficial—for both mare and foal. 🐴❤️

Need a custom riding plan for your pregnant mare? Visit AskAVet.com today 🐎🤰