The primary hormone of pregnancy for beef females is progesterone. Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum that is on the ovary. Progesterone keeps the reproductive cycle quiet and does not allow the cow to cycle. During mid- to late gestation, hormones are produced that come from the placenta. Some of those hormones are estrogen or estrogen-like. So the answer to your question is yes, pregnant cows may have some riding activity caused by estrogen-like hormones that are being produced by the placenta. It might be wise to separate the bull in the winter to reduce riding injury and cows slipping on the ice. Other cows may still engage in riding activity.

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