Back aches when riding...

metalmare

metalmare

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Hi,

After a 3 hour ride my shoulders and between my shoulder blades were in lots of pain the other day. I did some shoulder shrugs and the like, which were painful, but helped loosen me up. I'm obviously tense - I know I try too hard, especially with regards to elbows, contact, etc.

Any tips or suggestions?

I do still have regular private lessons... I have also tried pilates in the past; loved it but just don't have time at the moment :-(
 
I have lower back problems, and use a physio support belt which is great. You can get similar for shoulder support, may be worth looking into.

Swimming may also help. :)
 
I do ride big horses and rarely have pains, except perhaps if I have been trying too hard over a course of jumps.

It's on my 14hh pony that it's really painful - and I do find it harder to feel comfy and central on him.
 
shysmum - support might definitely be a good idea - I think it might take more than will power - I don't feel like I'm tensing.
 
try and get a good quality one (ebay !) - I have to use mine for jumping and fast stuff, plus heavy manual stuff at the yard, but it is a godsend.
 
Good question - I'm planning to have the saddle fitter out in the next month or so. It's the right length for me, 17 inch, but I ride long with my thighs and knees consciously off the saddle and my calves on, as I've been taught to. This means that I'm getting no support from the knee rolls, but it is a GP saddle, not a dressage saddle. I do feel perched in the middle of a narrow pony, but put it down to myself being quite right sided.

It'll definitely be interesting to see what the saddle fitter has to say.
 
if you are conciously riding with your knee and thighs off the saddle you will automatically become tense, it doesnt sound like your saddle is designed for this way of riding...i have to say i have never actually heard of being taught that way but maybe its because you used to grip too much with your knee??
I suffer with lower back pain when riding and i collapse through my right hip(previous injury) I have a back support and also use my BP as they both encourage me to sit tall but relaxed as im held there naturally with the back support.
 
Hmmm,

Instructor I had who was from a dressage (Molly Sievewright) background used to essentially say that I should almost be able to slide my hand between my thigh and the saddle, open at the hip and then wrap lower leg around the horse - but maybe I am over-exaggerating this?

Certainly if I kept my knee in contact with the saddle my lower leg would be some distance away from the horse's side... I don't know if this is due to the saddle or do to me - my riding or my build?
 
metalmare said:
Good question - I'm planning to have the saddle fitter out in the next month or so. It's the right length for me, 17 inch, but I ride long with my thighs and knees consciously off the saddle and my calves on, as I've been taught to. This means that I'm getting no support from the knee rolls, but it is a GP saddle, not a dressage saddle. I do feel perched in the middle of a narrow pony, but put it down to myself being quite right sided.

It'll definitely be interesting to see what the saddle fitter has to say.
Click to expand...

Mmmm, If you just relax your leg, then your thighs and knees will be on the saddle (as they should be....)

I suspect that's your problem. You're trying to hold an unnatural position.

Just relax in to your riding - and the back pain will probably stop.
 
Probably. I try really hard to keep my leg against the pony's side, and it is a physical effort. I also find it uncomfy to ride short now (my old instructor insisted on lengthening the leg and sitting trot, always)!

Getting used to riding short might be comfier in a GP saddle?
 
metalmare said:
Hmmm,

Instructor I had who was from a dressage (Molly Sievewright) background used to essentially say that I should almost be able to slide my hand between my thigh and the saddle, open at the hip and then wrap lower leg around the horse - but maybe I am over-exaggerating this?
Click to expand...

I think you are. You sound to be riding in a very unnatural and uncomfortable way.

Certainly if I kept my knee in contact with the saddle my lower leg would be some distance away from the horse's side... I don't know if this is due to the saddle or do to me - my riding or my build?
Click to expand...

You don't aim to keep your knee in contact with the saddle, you just let your leg rest quietly against the horse. No gripping or tensing (which you are probably doing know, hence the back pain).

Just relax and let the weight fall softly in to your heals.
 
Yeah, I will try shortening my stirrups and letting my leg move into a relaxed position. I'm riding dressage length in a gp saddle - that won't help my legs sit correctly.

I'm surprised my current instructor hasn't picked up on this - she has often praised my position. But then, I am often riding big horses so my little legs are probably 'put' where they should be as they are taken up by the horse, if that makes sense?

I'm glad I asked this as it seems quite obvious now and makes much more sense!
 
i get this when i do too much walking on a hack. I'm fine with trotting but walking kills my upper back. Not yet found a solution....
I rideshort so i dont think your stirrup length is the be all and end all of it.
 
Could be the saddle slightly out, I often see saddles that need tweaking and first thing I ask the customer is do they get backache and point to the area on their back I suspect where it may hurt, they are often surprised that I can pinpoint it quite well!
Once your saddle is checked for fit and balance then look elsewhere for the cause.
 
Get yourself some dumbells - 1kg to start, but work up to 2 or 3 kg and learn to do some prone flyes. The upper back pain is common in desk workers and is caused by the pectoral (chest muscles) being tight and stronger than the back muscles. So we need to strengthen the back.

http://www.bodytrainer.tv/en/exercise/dumbbell_reverse_fly_bent_over

You also want to stretch your chest. Best way to do this is to stand in the door frame, hold the frame and then move your weight forwards stretching the chest.

Shown here about half way down:

http://www.stretching-exercises-guide.com/back-stretches.html

Paula
 
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