Pain during/after riding (again, sob!)

[jor]

Was quite upset today when I went out riding and after 30 minutes (in walk only) I started to get quite bad pain across my shoulder blades and in my neck (worse on my bad right hand side) After a few strides it was that bad I had to get off (that was interesting!) and walk, after 5 minutes walking I was getting pain in my hip (the bad right one)
I had to stop and sit down doing some relaxation and posture work (got lots of odd looks and heather wasnt pleased) Then got back on and met my friend, said wed have to take it reasonably easy though I just had a bit of a niggle in my mid back towards the right (used to it though) we went out for a further 30 minutes, a couple of short canters uphill (In light seat for me!) a short trot (rising of course) and the rest in walk. I was ok when I got back to the yard and walked back home with no problems however in the last 2 hours I have had really bad pain in my hip (Ive had to get up four times just writing this and stretch and it *$&^ hurts) and my back is terrible, that painful its making me hunch over without realising it (bad bad) and im collapsingmy whole right side.
Hasnt been this bad for a long time and usually some pilates a heat pack and sitting will help if I do get niggles but not this time and I have no painkillers in date
I know I shouldnt panic but if I start getting this pain everytime I ride again im going to have to stop and go through months of treatment, just when Ive got my mare fit and am starting to enjoy riding again.

Ive been using a borrowed saddle, it fits my mare well (better than her old one) but Im worried it could be the saddle, i have ridden in it now for 4 weeks and havent had any problems (other than small niggles that were entirelly normal) but I am now riding for longer (up to 2 or even 3 hours) and doing more trot, canter and jumping work, though we were out last thursday for 3 hours and did several long canters, a couple of long trots and were up and down drops and over small logs etc and I was fine bar a bit of a problem with my knee the next day.
OR it could be that me putting weight back on (lots of it, opps!) over the last 6 months has aggrovated existing problems and a new saddle doesnt help matters. \No use me even trying to see the doctor this year, will be impossible, so looks like no christmas day or boxing day ride and who knows how long my back and hip will be bad after today

argh.

[meg]

Jo I sympathise completely Ive been suffering with back problems and on times actually got off the horse close to tears. I dont know what the answer is but but I know how grim it can be. Im going to try bowen in the new year. Idont know your history but I wish you well and understand.

[Yann]

Just a couple of ideas, possibly useless... if it's the saddle could you try using something like a HM seatsaver, they really help with an uncomfortable saddle and also act as a shock absorber (for both horse and rider I daresay). The other thing if you're tight somewhere or collapsing due to muscle tension might be to try a bowen treatment, I was a little sceptical about it all until I tried it, it really does undo any knots you might have and not realise are there.

[jor]

I use the alexander tecnique and do pilates though bowen is something to consider.
Would like a HM seat saver but cant get one until the new year and even then there are more 'important' things to spend money on (got to pay my sons nursery bill for example!)
If I have done something odd somewhere and am collapsing (friend commented I was sitting/riding straight and wasnt twisting)
However my other concern is its actually my ponies back thats out and she was twisting me....though she was showing absolutely no signs of having any problem, nice and relaxed, flexing at the poll, soft mouth, even and good length of stride, moving nice and straight, no bucking, head tossing...though she did canter 'bum out' for a few strides of canter but then we were cantering across an open field and i think she just wanted to go faster and straightened out as soon as I asked.

Just the thought of all those appointments again makes me feel ill, plus Ive now got a toddler to take along with me...joy!
Would hate to have to give up riding altogether though, ive only just got back into riding reguarly after almost 2 years off!

[natalia]

Hi, Jo R, i have a HM seatbone saver that I will sell to you if i can get it back off the girl thats borrowed it for the past 6 months! (she tried it on her saddle and never returned it but shes back around now so I should be able to track it down quite quickly) its black (faded now), seen better days but does the job. Personally I cant stand it and don't use it, but this is only because I think you lose some of the feel when its on. I also tend to feel a bit stuck to it. PM me if you want it.

[nix]

Poor you, Jo . If you want to borrow an HM seatsaver til you can buy Natalia's, pm me. I've got a spare one that I use if I'm riding somewhere I can't take my Fhoenix.

If you think it may be postural due to your accident there's the ShouldersBack which may be worth trying? Also, does massage help? If so, see if your local college does massage courses you could volunteer to be a "guinea pig" for final year students and get it either free or at a reduced rate.

[breezy]

Hey Jo,

I really sympathise with you, pain is really trying, especially when it makes a comeback AND allied to something you love like riding.

I'm a Bowen Therapist myself and would really recommend treatment for you, and for your mare if you think she needs it. IT's a lovely gentle treatment that encourages your bodies healing systems to work - it can be dramatically effective.

I have a stupid neurological disorder which means that riding can cause me intense and disabling pain. I've not ridden for 3 years, but recently I have been getting out for short rides on my youngster (who was broken 3 years ago and ridden occasionally by me since!!) he was been very good and I am so lucky in that he is very very smooth to ride which really helps me. I was really struggling today though as I havea cold whihc exacerbates my face-pain, and he decided to be really freaked out at road markings and where the road had been dug up and put back, meaning I had to get off and walk a couple of times. He is so green! By the time I got back I could barely walk from over-exertion and while my pain was bad I coped. Later though I had a major attack - all because I overdid it.

So sometimes it is just to take it easy, but maybe to warm up before you get on? You say the pilates and alexander technique help you - both being posture related I can see how they would be useful. Can you get one of those exercise balls and use that to gently work your hips and back prior to getting on - even if you stick it in the stable just before you mount!

The saddle could have an effecton you as well - the idea of a seat saver is brilliant - I know my hips (and bum!) prefer Heather's saddle!! It might be something as simple as the position of the stirrup bar?

Lastly - and this is the MOST difficult one - try not to tense up as you feel the pain - that just makes it worse. Ive leant this with my own pain (I've fainted from the pain on horseback before now!) and if you can slow your breathing and relax it is somewhat easier to cope with. A breathing exercise I find very useful is to count on the in breath from one to five (not on the out breath) and then count backwards on the outbreath back to one. Do this a few times and you'll be more relaxed. It's easier to concetrate on than counting to 10 or to infinity!!

I'm sure you know all this - I just wanted you to know that a) you are not alone and b) some of what I have learned from pain clinic and other things.

I know how frustrated you must feel.

Bx

[lisap]

Hi Jo
Saw your post and realised you are in Cheshire. Am feeling a bit shy regarding promoting myself on this board, but wondered if I might be able to help you alleviate some of your riding pain.
I'm a trained Centered Riding Instructor (Sally Swift) and specialise in helping riders to use themselves effectively and without tension. I'd be really happy to talk to you about your pain problems.
You can email me at [e-mail] if you'd like to know more about Centered Riding techniques.

[jennyb]

Hi Jo, sounds like you really need medical help to sort you out! Can you afford a couple of sessions with a physio? I had pain in my hip area, which turned out to be my piriformis muscle going into spasm (start of sciatica), physio was extremely painful (made me cry!) but sorted my pain out in just two sessions, and also showed me a lovely stretch to do to nip the spasms in the bud.

If your pain is in the buttock rather than the hip joint itself, feel free to PM me with a phone number and I'll happily give you a call and talk you through the stretch - you'll feel it straight away if it's that muscle that's tight!

[gem]

Oh Jo, I have no advise other than could it be from all the recent stress??

[holi]

Like a previous person - are you sure your horse is straight. I used to get really bad hiip pain when I rode my horse but he had a bad back and was twisting. After he went out on loan I got a 'straight' one and no problem what so ever - I find that I can now tell whether horses are straight by my discomfort.

[holi]

Just wanted to add - my problems started after I went on mary wanless course where she straightened me out and then of course it was me against the horse's posture. Check how you straght you are as well- it might help. Good luck.

[JJ-Spain]

I'm a fan of centered riding myself, it makes so much sense!

[laylaw]

Hi sorry to hear your problems. Most of what people have said I would say and I am a big advocate of Bowen, totally biased being a therapist myself ;D but cant recommend it enough if you are in pain as it is so gentle yet effect in beginning the healing process with just one or two sessions and will not hurt.

Keep going with the pilates and an exercise ball is a great idea, but get yourself checked out in one form or another. The long you leave it the longer it may take to heal.

If you need a list of Bowen bods in your area go to www.bowtech.com not sure who is up your neck of the woods.

[speedy]

You may also want to check your saddle to make sure it is symmetrical, because if it isn't then it could be throwing your whole body off to one side.

I sympathise - I broke my coccyx over ten years ago, but it still gives me a huge amount of pain, particularly when riding/driving/flying for long periods. good luck x