Horse ownership and bad backs (humans)

[Surbie]

I sneezed while getting out of the bath 31 years ago, didn't get it looked at and carried a 20kg rucksack on my move to France the next day - that has properly duffed up my back. Riding helps, as do exercises to stop my core turning into jelly.

Lots of our riders at the RDA have better mobility because of riding. One lovely woman in her 80s credits it with still being able to walk - she's had multiple hip replacements and back operations.

As others have said it's the horse-keeping that does you in more than riding. (discounting falls...)

 

[Tarragon]

I probably have the worst combination - I sit at a computer all day for work (and have done for the last 40 years!) and I ride!
But, I have also developed my own Pilates style work out that I do almost daily, that concentrates on loosening up my shoulders to counter all the computer work, and on core and lower back mobility for the riding.
I don't have any back problems, but I do have to be careful with my posture.

 

[paddy555]

I was a cripple for most of my working life sitting on an office chair or various kneel on stools all day and every day. The only thing that saved my back was riding. Despite that I lived with constant neck pain.
Fast forward to retirement 15 years ago. Riding daily, lifting lots. Stable work for 8, unloading trailers of hay and endless heavy strimmers/hedgetrimmers and not a murmur from either my back or neck.

So much fitter, stronger, more supple and no pain. Can't thank riding and the work that goes with it enough. (5ft 8 so not short)

 

[Time for Tea]

Somebody mentioned stirrup length, and I think that is very important for a comfortable ride and loose back. It will be different for everyone depending on their confirmation and their saddle. It’s a bit like bike riding, pedals too low and your pelvis twists from side to side when pedalling, pedals too high and the knee pressure is more intense

 

[Lauraback]

Interesting re stirrup lengths I had dreadful knee problems riding in an Albion GP - switched to a dressage saddle (for hacking ) different rider position and never had another knee issue when riding before my boy retired. I am taking on board the suggestions re exercises to help a bad back and I also purchased a bike today as walking far hurts. Although when I was young my mum used to say I was much safer on 4 legs than 3 wheels

 

[Lauraback]

2 wheels not 3

 

[sbloom]

Interesting re stirrup lengths I had dreadful knee problems riding in an Albion GP - switched to a dressage saddle (for hacking ) different rider position and never had another knee issue when riding before my boy retired. I am taking on board the suggestions re exercises to help a bad back and I also purchased a bike today as walking far hurts. Although when I was young my mum used to say I was much safer on 4 legs than 3 wheels

The saddle has a massive effect on why you might end up with painful knees and it's not going to just be about stirrup length. The knee needs to be stable, not gripping, but allowing the thigh to lie flat...if the hips are tight, or the ankles, then the knee will need to take the strain, and there are many reasons for hips or ankles being stiffer in a given saddle.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I'm 28 and I put my back out sitting down to go to the loo this morning, sometimes it just goes.
So yeah, I'd say it's not far off the mark!

 

[HorseMaid]

I've got a bad back/sacroiliac joint which I'm sure is a combination of having a bad fall and wear and tear from yard jobs. I have to be careful doing anything that involves lots of bending as I end up very stiff and in lots of pain. I've also got a niggling neck issue (whiplash I think) which I'm 99% sure is from when my mare shoves her head down and has managed to yank me forwards a few times, snapping my head back. Every time she catches me out I end up in agony!

Not back related at all but I also had two separate hernia operations in my twenties and I think that's not helped by lugging stuff around that was way too heavy when I was younger!

 

[sbloom]

I'm 28 and I put my back out sitting down to go to the loo this morning, sometimes it just goes.
So yeah, I'd say it's not far off the mark!

I pulled a muscle knitting. Yep, seriously. But it was about how I've been sitting when knitting, that this particular piece (K1P1 half fishermans rib) has a very unstable/repetitive pattern for the hands, the fact I've gone back to swimming (breast stroke, not the best for back, shoulder, neck health) and probably overdone it, without even considering sitting at a desk and in a van for hours on end. It feels like it "just goes", but it's repetitive strain.