Bad back after riding.. saddle? Stirrups?

[Dwyran_gold]

I’ve had a bad back for years. Lots of treatment etc with a protruding disk. Usually when I come home from riding it’s such a nice relief because I feel like my backs had a good stretch and it feels much better. Since lockdown I’ve not had a horse to ride so I’ve started taking out my friends driving horse as he wants him to learn ridden work. He’s great and sensible but my back really kills me when I get off, could it be the saddle or stirrups? Because he’s a driving horse all his riding tack is cheap and cheerful, synthetic ‘lite’ saddle and just very normal stirrups.
anyone else ride with back pain and have any advice on what might help? Xx

 

[ruth83]

It could just be a fitness issue. The muscles haven't been used and need rebuilding.
Unfortunately it could be the horse. I have one particular little cob I ride who sometimes really causes me an issue. I think its his width (almost as wide as he is tall!)

A gel seat saver and a set of wide tread stirrups shouldn't cost too much and may help as an initial step?

 

[Dwyran_gold]

It could just be a fitness issue. The muscles haven't been used and need rebuilding.
Unfortunately it could be the horse. I have one particular little cob I ride who sometimes really causes me an issue. I think its his width (almost as wide as he is tall!)

A gel seat saver and a set of wide tread stirrups shouldn't cost too much and may help as an initial step?

thank you, yeah he’s really wide to be honest, one of the reasons the owner wants something done with him.
Will have a look for a saddle pad and perhaps a pair of those stirrups that don’t turn the leathers. X

 

[HorsesRule2009]

As poster above has said could be the horse.
On the last yard I worked on there was 1 horse I wouldn't ride as he gave me terrible back ache and all I could work it out to be was the way he moved behind (very very wide).

You could try a seat saver and possibly some flexi stirrups to see if it makes a difference.

 

[Wishfilly]

Seat saver and flexi-stirrups can be worth trying and not too expensive.

I'd also look at how your core strength is doing? I know mine has deteriorated over lockdown and made some of the issues I have with my back/shoulders worse.

 

[Dwyran_gold]

Seat saver and flexi-stirrups can be worth trying and not too expensive.

I'd also look at how your core strength is doing? I know mine has deteriorated over lockdown and made some of the issues I have with my back/shoulders worse.

ill definitely have a look and have to get both thank you. My core is not good at all
At the moment, I was hoping riding more would help. Xx

 

[Wishfilly]

ill definitely have a look and have to get both thank you. My core is not good at all
At the moment, I was hoping riding more would help. Xx

I'm sure riding more will help- it just depends if it's bearable in the meantime! I find Pilates and yoga really help with my back issues, and usually can be done fairly easily at home- there's lots of good videos on youtube.

I hope you manage to find a good solution.

 

[EllenJay]

Could also be down to the horse. A friend had a beautiful, big moving horse, who everytime she rode gave her a painful back. Moved to a “smoother” model and her back was fine