Bad back (mine) and saddles

[Louby]

I suffer from lower back pain and its getting worse. Just wondered if anyone has cured it or improved it by changing saddles.
My horse is an awkward fit and the priority was to fit him before fitting me. This meant me having to have a saddle a bit smaller than I needed as he couldnt accomodate one that fit us both. Im only talking 1/2 inch, Ive got a 17 inch and I needed a 17.5. Its a dressage saddle but not deep seated like I wanted again due to my horses back shape and I feel like I cant sit on my bum and feel I tip forward a bit. Im working at sitting up and bringing my shoulders back but then my legs seem to go forward.
My saddle was expensive so I dont want to get another and it just be down to my riding and not my saddle after all.

 

[showjump2003]

Have you been to see someone like a physiotherapist?

 

[Cliqmo]

Do you see a professional for your back? I recommend a chiropractor to iron out your kinks before you go saddle shopping

 

[Araminta]

Go and see a good sports physio.

They will be able to sort you out

 

[showjump2003]

Any chartered physiotherapist would be ok.

 

[Louby]

No I havent seen anyone yet, keep saying I will. I wasnt sure if its a oesteopath, physio or chiropractor I should see. Its not bad pain, just nagging low grade pain when Im stood for a while or in bed at night. Someone has said it could be my discs

 

[diggerbez]

i would highly recommend a chiropractor then. i have a really dodgy back (i have slight curvature of my spine which has led to calcification of my vertebrae- i.e. arthritis and a bulgeing disc). i've been seeing a chiro for 12 months now and have virtually no lower back pain- it had been almost constant. i still get a sore neck/shoulders but thats because i sit all slouched up- she's good at helping to relieve that pain too...well worth the money IMHO

 

[showjump2003]

Being a physio myself I would recommend physio! Definatly sounds like something I could help with.

 

[Louby]

Thanks for your replies, so its a chiro or physio. Where are you based showjump2003.

 

[flossy_123]

hey, i get lower back pain wen i ride and even if i sit in the car for a while, iv seen someone about it and its worked a little, but for my ridding i us a back support (nt a body protector) it works a treat!!! get them from robinsons got mine for about £40 but they have gone down to about £25-£30 hope this helps coz it helped me!!

 

[Divasmum]

My daughter had a crush injury and has tried a back support. She has a dressage saddle with a deep seat plus support in big knee and thigh rolls. Martin Wilkinsons own make.

 

[dotty1]

I had lower back pain for years and it got to the stage wher I couldn't lie straight in bed or lift my legs, so didn't get much sleep.
I went to a chiropractor who diagnosed a problem with my scaroilliac, she did her stuff and there was immediate relief, the pain was so much better and after a few visits I am now totally pain free.
It did nearly bankrupt me but it was worth it.
If you have health insurance at work you may find they will pay for so many visits.

 

[Chico Mio]

Also, try a seat saver. I suffer from sacro-iliac problems and find the cushioning effect on my seat bones really helps - as long as my back is where it should be to start with!

 

[the watcher]

It is a shame you are tied in to that particular saddle. I have lower back pain and stiff hips and had finally settled with a Saddle Company endurance style saddle with a memory foam seat - it is conventional looking enough to get away with for dressage and low level showing. The cut allows me to not have my hips quite so open as a dressage saddle demands which is much more comfortable

 

[Mrjacks0n]

same here with back, been down chiro path, but also had a course of remedial massages, fabulous, with tight connective tissue back ache is common i beleive the massage stretches and loosens it cant reccommend enough, doing yoga or pilates is good for keeping all muscles nice and pliable aswell .

 

[Flame_]

A good, thick sheepskin seat-saver.

Back support sometimes helps.

I found Flair wonderful for my bad back, but it had problems and didn't do that horse any good, so do look into it well if you decide to try it.

 

[puddleshark]

If your saddle puts you either in front of or behind the vertical, you'll constantly be battling to keep yourself in balance, which'll exacerbate a bad back. Maybe ask someone to video you riding in the school to check on your position? If it looks like the seat on your saddle is tipping you forwards or backwards you might be able to get riser pads to make it more level.

I've got a Free'N'Easy endurance saddle which I love. It can be adjusted in width at the front and height at the back, and you can move the stirrup bars back or forwards, so I feel like I'm in complete balance. But the panels on it are quite big. It's okay for my 14.3 mare, but wouldn't fit a small pony.

 

[Louby]

Thanks everyone, Im definately going to have it looked at. I have a back support somewhere, bought it a few years ago when this all started and never wore it

I have seen my self on video riding and I seem to hawl myself up in trot which I presume is because my legs arent under me but in front a bit. My saddle fits my horse but not me and I think I need some help with my thighs and knee to keep them back so a massive knee roll I think. I have a Jaguar at the mo but spoke to saddler a while back and I could also have an Amerigo, passier or the new Albion, all expensive though. My fave saddle was the Derby House Kentucky, lovely lovely comfy saddle that put me in the right position and half the price, typical!

 

[hayleyc]

I had a bad back a few years ago and tried oesteopath, physio and chiropractor but if any thing it made me worse as I had 2 prolapsed discs in my lower back so i would be carefull who you see as im sure the chiropractor finished me off (i was in so much pain i couldnt walk sit or lay down to get away from it) in the end i found a brilliant Dr in Harley st, very expensive but well worth it, so far ive not needed the op with his treatment.