Back Pain and owning a horse

[gizmo]

Good chiro regularly, muck out slowly taking care to keep back reasonably straight, lightwieght tools and barrow!

[woolly]

Finding and knowing your limits is the most important aspect of managing back pain.

Find whatever works for you and do it regularly (for example, keeping up regular chiropractor appointments works for me and helps keep me mobile).

As others have said, don't move or pick up FULL things. If you have to clean the stable one poo at a time, that's what you'll have to do ;D

And know your limits. I KNOW that, because I have a bad back and don't ride properly (meaning that I'm not using my body properly), schooling in an arena is usually VERY bad news, and I usually pay dearly for it the day or two after. So I do what I know I can do - I go trail riding a lot, I jump very occasionally, and if I school in an arena, I try and keep the sessions short (10 mins to half an hour max).

So, if you look after your back (in terms of bending and lifting)....have regular treatment of whatever sort suits you....and know what you can and can't do when riding...that should help a lot.

[gem]

another Sciatica sufferer, my back gets really sore some days however I have found that I just have to work through it, riding lessons are improving my posture and this is turn relieves my back pain. Its the poo picking that does me in!

[miller]

I've had a bad back for a long while - 13years since I splipped a disc lifting a patient at a nursing home.

Have had it looked at numerous times and no one can tell me what exactly is wrong.

I was advised to give up riding ... turned my lad away for 2 months and by that time my back was so bad I couldn't put socks on. Saw another consultant who said get back to riding as movement and suppleness will help - never stopped since!

The last few days it's been uncomfortable but I just work through it and it seems to help

[theoldgreymare]

I've had a bad back for 38 years and just been diagnosed with med grade arthritis in lower spine and both hips, which means I will need a double hip replacement as soon as possible. I haven't ridden properly for ages, I can do ten minutes but when I get off I can't walk! It has shattered my dreams of breaking both my youngsters who are both wide, and means that I will have to sell them.. Such a shame. I had dreams of riding into my eighties, but not having yet reached sixty, I am feeling a bit down at the mo. My Mum was the same and had a new hip which dislocated twice and now she is no better than before her op. I'm hoping that mine will work as I can't envisage a life without horses!

[mandm]

Prob the best thing to do is be sensible but if you are like me you'll carry on with a tube of ibuprofen! Fences are excellant to lean on while straightening up!

[spottyhorse]

When my back is bad I wear a sports back brace, it just supports my lower back and makes me 100% more aware how I am holding myself. I can also fit this under my body protector if I need to.

[beck]

I have pain in my middle/lower back due to old motor bike and riding accidents. I can't ride for long periods anymore. I find having a wider cob type horse that supports my hips and a treeless saddle make riding much more comfortable.

I have found life much easier since the horses have been out 24/7. The kids do most of the poo picking to earn pocket money. A good chiro is a must too.

As someone else said, you just have to know your own limits.