As a lifelong horse enthusiast, I enjoy watching horsemanship videos on YouTube. I recently came across a content creator who posted a controversial video about how she still intends to ride while six months pregnant. The YouTuber claimed that riding her horse is the only thing in life she truly enjoys, and without the ability to do so, her mental health would suffer.
With how anti-life our culture currently is, we can give her kudos for keeping the child – but clearly, this woman is prioritizing her own selfish needs above the baby developing in her womb. How many of the comments supported her imprudent decision was equally shocking.
You do not have to be a genius to realize that horse riding involves certain health risks. Although horses can be domesticated and trained to comply with the wishes of the rider, horses are prey animals by nature and maintain a heightened sense of anxiety. This instinct is built into their DNA and has served them well, helping them survive as a species. Even a seemingly trustworthy horse can be prone to spooking if the conditions are right and something frightens them. This could lead to a dangerous situation as the horse might run off and/or dump their rider.
Although no one likes to talk about it, many horse-related injuries and deaths have occurred over the years. As far as sports are concerned, horseback riding is considered to be more dangerous than skiing or motorcycling. For this reason, the Equine Activity Liability Act (EALA) has been passed in many states. Riding facilities require everyone participating in any equine activity to sign a waiver that states the following, “The participant assumes all risks and liabilities for accidents, injuries or death.” The threat of injury is real.
This particular content creator made a feeble attempt to defend her decision to continue riding by stating, “We [pregnant women] can’t stop our lives. It would take a toll on our mental health. So we shouldn’t drive a car because and accident might happen? We can’t just sit in our houses in a bubble in fear of what might happen.”
This ridiculous and childish statement needs no reply, but imagine for a second the harm that might be done to an unborn child with a fall from a large horse in motion that is approximately five feet off the ground. Unfortunately, there appears to be no one in this woman’s life (including the child’s father) to advise her against what is truly risky and unnecessary behavior.
Only three people recommended she stop riding. One courageous commenter beautifully summed up the truth: “The new life growing in your womb is your responsibility. You need to put his or her safety first, not your own needs.” This comment got only one like, which was mine, and it was met with ire from the vast majority of other commenters (primarily young women) who agreed with her position. True to form and on cue, they pulled out the feminist abortion tropes justifying the woman’s decision to keep riding. Here are just a few:
It is between you and your doctor.
It’s your body, your choice.
You go girl, you know your body.
You and only you can say what is right for you.
It is your choice. Go with how you feel.
Those who have advocated for abortion over the last fifty years have not only murdered 63 million babies but have negatively influenced a generation of women about the so-called rights a woman has over her body. They have also convinced women that feelings matter more than the truth. The pro-abortion lobby has turned an entire generation of women into self-centered narcissists, thinking that their own needs somehow outweigh those of a defenseless child. Gone are the days when expectant mothers would make the necessary sacrifices to protect the helpless life within their womb.
Abortion ideology, even for someone who carries their baby to full-term, promotes love of self over the love of their child. This is a warped way of thinking and can only lead to poor parenting when, inevitably, mothers (and fathers) will fail to sacrifice personal desires for the good of their children. Nowadays, the sacrificial love needed to raise a child is in short supply, and it is no wonder why so many families are in crisis.
For her and the baby’s sake, I do hope and pray that, by the grace of God, there are no accidents. But we need to begin to shift this cultural paradigm not only to save the lives of the babies who are aborted but also to help young women realize that the most important job that they will ever have is to be a mother and to embrace the incredible gift of life God has given them with love and humility.