Anyone ride with rheumatoid arthritis?

yes, i do. i am in my fifties and i now ride my daughter's horse cos she went to uni. he is a western schoolmaster. i find it easier on my joints to ride about 3 times a week to allow 2 days off to rest each time and it seems to be working. i do have him at livery though so i can cope. i certainly couldn't do it without help. i find that i cannot mount from the ground so i use a mounting block.
i hope you will be able to ride and enjoy yourself.
 
ME!!!! sadly have had it 20+ years.

I find riding most days even if only gently is best for me. I am less stiff after riding. I do struggle to do it DIY but I force myself (stubborn)

For me the best thing is do things in small chunks then rest and start again, sometimes I have to force myself to rest. It might only be 5 or 10 mins but it makes all the difference

When I first had it I didn't ride at all, since starting riding I actually find it REALLY REALLY helps my RA.

I use reinbows on my reins which help as I cannot grip properly http://www.reinbows.com/

I had an ankle replacement last August and have been back riding about 8 wks, already jumping :D

Yes it can be VERY HARD and painful. So I pop the pain killers and ride, then I feel better for it.

Have the smallest horse you can ride, I used to have a 16.2h who was fairly strong when he wanted. I was having injections into my shoulders every 3 to 5 months

since getting Micah who is 15.3h and light in my hand I haven't needed ANY injections

Biggest tip is DON'T LET IT RULE YOUR LIFE!!!! fight it and keep going, yes it hurts, but it hurts whether you ride or not!! and more often than not riding will help a lot!!

Also only recently found out that a vitamin and mineral suppliment helped amazingly with the tiredness. I use the vits and mins from wilkinsons and they are the best for me!


If I can help more let me know
 
I have rheumatism in my knees - i'm now 27 and had it since I was 13 yrs old!! I just grin and bear it :mad: The worst is when the weather is changing - once it's been constant, whether it be rain or shine, the ache/pain settles down. Obviously it's worse in poor weather but I just try to keep them warm - leggings under jods, ski pants, knee high or over-knee socks. Anything to help them stay warm because once they've gone cold it feels like the sound of metal grinding! :rolleyes:
 
I have Ankylosing Spondylitis which is a related condition... Riding really helps, think of it as a gentle massage which mobilises every part of your spine.

I also have treatment with Infliximab and it is AMAZING!!! For the first time in years, no pain, no discomfort, I can move like a normal human being :D
 
Hiya,

I am doing a survey on equine joint supplementation and the public's experience with using them for my dissertation. I think this is a very important area in need of research. There are hundreds of products currently in the market and I want to highlight the products that do work from the products that don't. Then try to isolate the specific ingredients from your results, to work out why the products that do work do!

If you guys have any experience with joint supplements.I would be super greatful, if you could complete my quick survey, you will be helping to remove products that don't work from the market.

To complete my Survey please go to the following website:
http://FreeOnlineSurveys.com/renders...x7m9nttt860195

Thankyou,

Emily Johnson Bsc(hons) Equine Scienc
 
I have had it since I was 4 (I have an unusual type that goes away then comes back again), and although a pain, it doesn't really affect my riding, as long as I am on the right medication. If I skip a course, that my knees really stiffen up which affects my jumping. I find building muscles in the knees are a lot harder and take a bit more time. If your having a bad day, I find riding in bandages with magnets in them helps with the pain. At present, since the muscles in my knees are very weak (I have had a pretty bad attack recently), I use a step ladder to get on my horse. Apart from that, as Soulfull said, dont let RA rule your life! I find it more of an annoying problem but certainly do not let it stop me doing anything that I normally wouldn't do.
 
tash87 said:
Thanks guys much appreciated! Just been diagnosed so just trying to get my head round it and how its going to affect my riding!

Anyone else?
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There are two main things to remember

1 DON'T GIVE IN TO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 balance is everything, learn to balance when to rest and when to push on. At first if you are like me it will be ignore it and try and work through it all. However you will eventually work out no matter how stubborn you are it won't always help to do this. Sometimes it is better to just back off a little bit on what you are doing

For example my knee played up for over a week, was hot and swollen etc Physio said oh leave off the riding for a wk HA HA yeah right, instead I just rode in DR saddle instead of jumping the compromised worked.
I knew if I had stopped riding other joints would have seized up so pointless

I was diagnosed before I started riding and I can honestly say the riding has really helped it!!! mucking out etc probably doesn't but hey


A vitamin and mineral supplement will help with the tiredness, I didn't really believe in them but got so desperate I tried it (cheap ones from wilkinsons work fab, but have to have minerals too)

If you not reasonably fit then do your best to build your muscles and core muscles, the stronger you can get the easier it will be


So don't let it rule your life but be sensible too
 
Hi

I have RA. I was diagnosed when I was 17 - now 38. Mine (thankfully) is not too severe. I manage mine through my diet as I cannot tolerate anti-inflammatories - Brufen, voltarol etc. The strongest "synthetic" I can take is paracetamol. Homeopathy has helped in the past.

I find that if I keep my diet as "unprocessed" and avoid toxin build up as much as I can I am better. If I over do it on my "bad" foods I know about it - big time. Bad foods being high protein and acids, as well as processed foods (pork, beef, nuts, citrus fruits, kellogs cereals) But even on my bad days gentle regular exercise most definitely helps.
 
Hi, Tash.
I was diagnosed with RA when I was 6, my GP wasn't taking my repeated visits to him seriously - kept telling my mum I had cricked my neck! However my older sister has Ankylosing Spondylitis and pushed mum to hassle the GP and I got some tests.

I have good times and bad, as we all do. The main thing is a positive attitude, don't let it beat you!
Up until recently I had been in remission, I am currently waiting on blood test results, pretty much to confirm what I already know - my RA is active once more.

Riding is my escape and release, I have had times when I have been to ill to ride but I have always kept my horse on DIY, as this pushes me to get up and go out even when I feel rough.
I honestly feel riding and having my horse is the thing that keeps me going everyday - I have no of telling how my RA would be if I didn't ride but I'm sure I am as active as I am today because of the exercise I have done through riding and caring for horses.

One day I am aware I will no longer be able to ride - I am already planning my driving career!

Outside of riding, having RA is a challenge, personally I find I suffer with the tiredness the most - I am rubbish when I feel run down and tired. I try and fit in a nap most days, I find it easier if I can do the day in two halves!
I bought myself a tempur pillow best thing I ever bought, if sleep on another now my neck instantly complains. I am saving for the mattress.
Wheat bags and hot water bottles are another must have for me, as is a daily soak in the bath.
I could write an essay but for now check out the Arthritis Care website it has lots of info on living with RA.
All the best x
 
em_johners said:
Hiya,

I am doing a survey on equine joint supplementation and the public's experience with using them for my dissertation. I think this is a very important area in need of research. There are hundreds of products currently in the market and I want to highlight the products that do work from the products that don't. Then try to isolate the specific ingredients from your results, to work out why the products that do work do!

If you guys have any experience with joint supplements.I would be super greatful, if you could complete my quick survey, you will be helping to remove products that don't work from the market.

To complete my Survey please go to the following website:
http://FreeOnlineSurveys.com/renders...x7m9nttt860195

Thankyou,

Emily Johnson Bsc(hons) Equine Scienc
Click to expand...

Sorry that link dosen't work, try this one http://FreeOnlineSurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?sid=76g0ei0x7m9nttt860195
 
I gave up riding a good few years ago as my knees just couldn't cope with it anymore. I refuse to take medication as I found the cure worse than the disease and just pootle along with the occasional emergancy call to my doctor who comes and give me an IV of steroids when I have one of my pain attacks (thankfully, not very often.) I keep meaning to take up western riding (kinder on the knees) but so far, haven't gotten round to it. My RA attacks my tendons and joints and has pretty much destroyed my tear glands so Im not too good with dust/sunshine/heat. I seem to suffer most in the springtime and have horrible flu like symptoms which just don't go away. Im pretty much used to it all now and its just part of being me. I didn't realise that there were so many of us on HHO. Onwards and upwards ladies:-D
 
Oh thank god! I know this is going to sound perverse... but I'm so glad I found this post.

I'm 26 and was diagnosed with RA when I was 24. My arthritis affects my large joints mostly (knees, elbows, ankle) but the smaller joints are relatively unaffected.

I find anything longer than 2 hours in the saddle is sore, but the dismount is the worst part.

I often wondered, because out joints are inflamed and therefore not as well supported, is it easier for someone with RA to dislocate joints if we had a fall?

My riding definitely is better when I'm not feeling sore and stiff, the horse actually seems to be a little less tense -- perhaps cos I'm giving him better signals or perhaps cos he can sense i'm a lot more relaxed.

Although, one thing I found really interesting was when I had a bad flare up and my elbows were aching like mad... my horse choose that day to buck me off and I landed... you guessed it... on my elbow. However, the next day I had no pain, not even arthritis pain. It was like the fall had zapped the pain out. It was so bizarre! I dont have an explanation for that... but am not in a hurry to find out again!
 
ros hi

I wish I could ride for 2 hours! so your doing good

I really do find that riding helps my RA an awful lot its like physio. It often happens that I have bad pain in my hands or shoulders but when I have finished riding it is so so much better So that is more likely why your elbows were better.

As for bucking you off, I don't think it is connected to the RA BUT it is more to be unrelated of you were not as soft with your hands because of sore elbows.

I have had several falls and only once done any damage. I badly broke my ankle and needed surgery which local hospital messed up, so I ended up with a replacement joint. So I asked specialist about this and he said unless we also suffer osteoporosis then should make it any more likely we suffer injuries
 
Your stories of courage are really inspiring. I might print off and show someone at my yard who has aggressive RA and is now on an anti-tnf and is doing really well.
 
Soulfull -- I think you're right. I was too hard on his mouth that day, I even realised after I'd done it, it was wrong riding! I was feeling a bit fragile and all he wanted to do was gallop... I didn't fancy coming off in a hedge.

tallyho -- I think you should print off some of the stories! i was devastated when i was diagnosed... i thought i'd be in a wheelchair in 5 years. But I'm doing pretty good... still have days where I wake up feeling I was in a car accident the night before... but often I gust grin and bear it... and take a little nap when I come home from riding.

I take cimzia, methatrexate, diclofenac and regularly top all this up with paracetamol so i can ride. (this will probably make a lot of sense to your friend with the very active RA!)

I should point out, some days are def better than others!
 
My mum has RA and she wasnt diagnosed until 5/6 years ago. She used to ride when she was younger then when i got into horses she started riding a friends percheron. She could only walk/trot and a bit of canter on hacks as the horse had athritus too.
When she started again she was very sore/stiff after but slowly it got easier even though not perfect as she only rode once a week/fortnight.

As for yard work once we managed to get our own horses shes never looked back and for the past 6 months shes managed them single handedly due to me being ill/in hospital :( She does struggle when she over does it (she now works on a yard too!!!) but shes tons better than she was when she just sat at home not working, she still hurts regularly but its not as bad as it was and her doctors are very pleased that shes so active now :D
As others have said she has bad days but they are few and far between now :)
 
I almost didn't post on this thread incase I'm tempting fate (still not sure I will until I finish typing lol).

Anyway I was diagnosed with RA about 16 years ago. It started following a bad bout of flu and had some bad times when I couldn't walk, lift a cup of tea. Would wake up and find inexplicably my knee or wrist etc had gone. Anyway I haven't had a flare up for 14 years. I suppose technically I'm in remission, but truthfully I think its gone for good. I was petrified, when I had another bout of flu this january that it would come back, but it didn't. I know they say you can't ever be 'cured' but I'm not so sure. Friend who also has it wants me to and be tested again to see, but I don't want to know.... So guys you just never know....

PS please fate look the other way :D
 
Not RA but i also have Ankylosing Spondylitis. I'm not riding much at the moment as the horses are both off but when they're sound i ride around 4 times per week. I find riding actually helps me too, i'm far worse having had a few weeks off again. As a few others have said, the worse thing you can do is give into it, think positive and try not to dwell on the bad things. My mom also has AS, but far more severely than i do. When i first found out i used to look at mom & everything she's got wrong with her and think is that really what i've got to look forward to? I don't know what changed but i don't think like that now- it just made things a whole lot worse. All i can really add is take every day as it comes and see what happens :) Mine are both on grass livery now but i coped just fine with them both being on DIY livery, and i was working on yards at the time too. My friend suffers with painful knees (not RA, just too many injuries!) and swears that the flexi-stirrups help her loads and absorb some of the impact that her kneew dont anymore. Might be worth a try if you don't already?
 
AS people - what do you take to manage your condition?

I still can't get over how amazing aTNF therapy is; I have so much energy - and mobility - nowadays!
 
arizonahoney said:
AS people - what do you take to manage your condition?

I still can't get over how amazing aTNF therapy is; I have so much energy - and mobility - nowadays!
Click to expand...

I only take naproxen and extra-strong paracetamol. Thankfully even in flare-ups this keeps mine at bay. Mom used to be on Indometacin but her blood pressure spiralled out of control so they had to massively reduce the dose.

She's been on aTNF therapy for around 2 1/2-3 years now i think (it seems about that long anyway) She has Embrol injections once per week. I think there are quite a few different drugs/methods used though. Which type are you using? Mom hasn't found them to have a massive effect, but if she has to stop it for any reason she really does notice a difference in pain levels within a bout 2 weeks. It hasn't helped with her stiffness or mobility at all but she's 47 now & was diagnosed at 24 so much of the spinal fusion has taken place, and no amount of drugs will ever be able to un-fuse her spine :(

Do you find it really knocks your immune system out though? Mom picks up everything going now and struggles to fight even minor things off if. Thats why she has to come off it if she gets an infection & needs antibiotics.
 
I do.

Expensive, but I really notice a difference when I have used those Sprenger flex stirrups. Keep trying to save up for some but not riding enough to justify it atm.

I also put wraps/supports on my knees as the extra support is good and also the added benefit of the warmth seems to help. :)
 
Tinkerbee said:
I do.

Expensive, but I really notice a difference when I have used those Sprenger flex stirrups. Keep trying to save up for some but not riding enough to justify it atm.

I also put wraps/supports on my knees as the extra support is good and also the added benefit of the warmth seems to help. :)
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That's a nice collection of houses you have in your signature Tinkerbee! One for the working week, one for the weekend, one for holidays and the other a project?!!!
 
i developed RA after going through what was the most stressful period of my life. I think stress has a lot to do with RA escalating...

when they're not spooking at pieces of plastic blowing in the wind, horses are very calming and great therapy i think. :D
 
p.s. gonna look into those specialist stirrups... i found riding with the quick release jump stirrups was excruciating on my knees... seems like the full metal stirrups offer a bit more support in terms of a frame that doesn't move around too much, causing the knee to move around too -- if that makes sense!
 
My OH has psoriatic arthritis and is on Methotrexate (tablet) and Enbrel injections once per week. He is virtually symptom free so for those of you not on a suitable drug regime, please press your GP - you shouldn't have to suffer.

I'm hoping to get him riding soon when I start up again :-)
 
I refuse all medication unless Im in one of my rare pain explosions=IV steroids. Im about to start riding again so it will be interesting to see the results. I could do with a new tearduct system though, mine is completely buggered. I can cry but dont have any normal tear lubrification, its horrible:( I look like Ive been smoking joints and swilling down whisky!
 
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