How much do you ache and your age

[Birker2020]

So I am in my mid 50's have had some pretty bad accidents over my life, broke most things, legs, ankles, arms, pelvis and neck - so today I have really felt achey in every single joint.
I got out the car after riding and I looked like Gollum...
I am okay on the horse, getting on is fine as long as the horse stands stiil but today the cold shot up my legs when i hopped off, none of mine are bigger than 16.1 thankfully, as I never had anything less than 17.2 when I was younger.

how is everyone else doing

I'm achey, I'm on up to 17 tablets a day (co-codamol/gabapentin/ibuprofen) and have been on the first two for about 16 years now, the ibuprofen for about eight years. I felt like I was addicted to them as I get loads of side effects if I miss taking them more than a couple of hours after I should. I have cut down from 900mg to 500mg daily of gabapentin doing it under a tapered dose over many weeks. I'd like to give them up totally but I just don't see it happening. I am not even sure how I will cope having another horse and riding daily, I am hoping that if I can ease myself in gently I will be okay. Last MRI which was two years ago now showed arthritic changes to my left SI following a 360 fall off my horse where I fell flat onto my back. The fall was October 2014, I bought an air jacket the following month!

I have been waiting 56 weeks for the Pain Management Clinic appointment which is tomorrow morning at the hospital. Quite what I am hoping to achieve I am not sure, what I really want is a diagnosis of what is wrong with me. I have SI issues but I also have had some foot issues (extensor tendonitis) which has been very painful but losing nearly 2 stone and proper footwear has made an incredible difference. All I want to know is why I ache and hurt. I stupidly took part in a tug of war competition at the yard show and have really hurt my neck, I'm waiting till I can afford it to go to the chiropractor but that is causing me lots of issues at the moment.

 

[Orangehorse]

I was thinking about this in yoga this morning. I am in my early 70s, and I haven't had any serious falls so generally pretty ache free.

However, it is now 12 months since my horse died and I have noticed the difference in how I can do my yoga class. It is getting more difficult and I don't have the strength or flexibility that I used to. I still ride once a week and still have little pony to look after which means a bit of pushing wheelbarrows, but not nearly as much as when I had my horse. All those bales of hay and straw, grooming, full wheelbarrows (puff, puff up the slope), buckets of water, even putting rugs on and off - it was all daily exercise which I don't do now.

So the message is - keep riding and doing stable duties for as long as possible to keep strength and fitness.

 

[ponynutz]

Fell off and knocked by coccyx out of place. 'Why on earth didn't you go to the hospital?' was the physio's comment two years post fall.

Back pain, can't do sit ups, restless leg syndromes, migraines (probably from countless concussions).

I'm 21

 

[2 Dragons]

I'm 58 and usually ride 5 times a week. I am generally fine riding, if my back is feeling sore I find a gentle hack on my chunky Welsh pony really helps. However, I find poo-picking in the mud, dealing with soaked haynets, bashing in fence-posts and all the other jobs on my very diy yard hard work. Not looking forward to winter. Any little mistimed movement seems to lead to injury.
We are a tough lot, most non-horsey people I know would be wrapped up on the sofa we the issues we have.

 

[TinseLeneHorse]

I was thinking about this in yoga this morning. I am in my early 70s, and I haven't had any serious falls so generally pretty ache free.

However, it is now 12 months since my horse died and I have noticed the difference in how I can do my yoga class. It is getting more difficult and I don't have the strength or flexibility that I used to. I still ride once a week and still have little pony to look after which means a bit of pushing wheelbarrows, but not nearly as much as when I had my horse. All those bales of hay and straw, grooming, full wheelbarrows (puff, puff up the slope), buckets of water, even putting rugs on and off - it was all daily exercise which I don't do now.

So the message is - keep riding and doing stable duties for as long as possible to keep strength and fitness.

This will be my first horseless winter for 30 years. I am dreading what it is going to do for my fitness

I have a share once a week but it's never going to be the same as having my own.

I'm quite lucky with the aches and pains compared to some of you. I've got residual nerve pain for a facial injury but that never affected my riding or DIY livery activities. I had abdominal surgery last year and can still feel an achy pulling sensation when I overdo the heavy lifting - from reading some of the replies above I suspect it's scar tissue. But my joints are ok. I've had back problems in the past but touch wood it's been ok recently.
I'm 65 and need a kick up the backside to motivate me to get more active again.

 

[Polos Mum]

I (47 y/o) have been 'bute ing' myself up to ride since January

Pilates / physio and lots of stretching seems to be the way forward as I don't want it to be slippery slope.

There's a good local instructor who does online specialist pilates / stretching focused on riders. She recommends ensuring you put your socks on standing up every day as a baseline for balance and stretch

 

[Bluewaves]

I'm 58 and ride a couple of times a week. I got an ostepath to work with me a few years ago as i used to get cramp down my hip and leg if i rode too long in trot or canter.

My main problem is my lower back, i need to do a set of pilates exercises prescribed by a physio every day or else it really holds me back.

The exercises are glute bridges, clamshells, lying on my back and doing single leg lifts, lying up my side both legs together lifts (really hard!), lying on my front with single leg lifts,lying on my front and raising my torso.

I have to hold them all for 10 seconds and I'm up to doing two-three sets of 10. It's time consuming and a bit boring, but i need them.

I try not to bend over too much when doing housework and bend my knees instead if i have to pick things up.

I also try to do a set of desk stretches every day im at my desk as i have an office based job otherwise my shoulders kill me.

 

[Flame_]

45 and not achy except for the stupid joint in my hand beneath my thumb. That's often very uncomfortable.

 

[suebou]

67 and up to 6 weeks ago, very achy and stiff which I put down to orthopaedic surgeries and lots of falling off in years gone past. Joined a gym and it has/is changed everything! Much much more comfortable, moving better, stronger, less stiff. Was very sceptical but am now a convert!

 

[Melody Grey]

41. Back ache today, took Monty to cross country yesterday for the first time in about 5 years, not my best decision! …generally though can’t complain (had a rotational fall years ago) …nothing a gin won’t fix!

 

[clinkerbuilt]

"late" 40s and I will say that my lower back pain is desk/work-caused, and riding at least 4x a week helps it a lot. It's also helped me explore a bit more one-sided hip pain (again not caused by the riding) that I haven't got to the bottom of...

 

[AutumnDays]

I don't ride anymore, and gave up other sports I love due to spinal and SI injury, and caudal equina nerve damage. In constant pain, the nerve pain is like I'm hooked up to a fencer unit in places you really don't want that feeling! On a good day it's uncomfortable, on a bad day I can't walk as I lose feelings in my legs. Wouldn't be fair to a horse to have me on its back now, I'm so unbalanced. On pain meds and physio etc to manage but will not improve much. I do all my exercises at home too, and yoga stretching. Some other bodily functions are starting to be affected, so I guess we are still going downhill! I'm 37.

 

[catembi]

53, ride every day, 4 horses at home to do twice a day, gym every day, dog walking, back exercises every day - I was rolled on at age 13 & wrecked my SI joint, but discovered the ROM (range of motion) coach last January & have been doing that daily every since. I am not going to jinx it by saying it out loud so (whispers) my back has been on quite a long streak of good behaviour. Apparently the ROM exercises are yoga based. I'm on HRT but nothing else & touch wood, body & soul are hanging in there... I really hope that it continues. I am eternally grateful that my body still thinks it's 20. I can't imagine how hard it must be to be in pain all the time.

 

[Equi]

 

[M1lbie]

72, ride 5/6 days a week, have 2 to look after at home twice a day, shoulders have tendon tears so ache a bit and lack some strength/movement, elbows struggle a bit when poo picking and knee occasionally twinges but in comparison with some on here am very grateful for being able to do all I do. Will keep on pushing my wheelbarrow as long as I can! Still able to get on and off although I do try and lower myself to the ground a little slower to try not to jar the knees and horse is only 15.1 so not too far to get down!

 

[webble]

I haven't done anything with horses for 3 weeks now but have been to the the gym more than normal. I've spent the extra time strectching, sauna snoozing and doing lots of weights. I ache a lot less and have lost weight, it's possible all the outdoor work in the cold just isn't good for us

 

[southerncomfort]

Fell off and knocked by coccyx out of place. 'Why on earth didn't you go to the hospital?' was the physio's comment two years post fall.

Back pain, can't do sit ups, restless leg syndromes, migraines (probably from countless concussions).

I'm 21

I've done my coccyx 3 times.

Went to hospital the first time, but they said they can't do anything for coccyx injuries. All you can do is rest and take strong painkillers.

 

[Kirstd33]

I am today as coblet had a huge spook at a bull behind a gate yesterday as we were clipping along at a decent trot and I flew out over the dropped shoulder! Landed on a muddy verge but still managed to cut and bruise my wrist and shoulder.
On a daily I do suffer from mild hip and back ache following a spinal fusion 4 years ago, but nothing that a few nurofen now and again doesn't sort out.

 

[Ali27]

I’m nearly 52 and apart from a tiny bit of stiffness in the morning as I get up, I’m absolutely fine! I have 3 ponies so a combination of sorting them/ doing stable/ field jobs twice a day, going to the gym 3/4 times a week and running between 10-20k a week keeps me feeling good! I’m actually fitter and healthier than I’m ever been

 

[ponynutz]

I've done my coccyx 3 times.

Went to hospital the first time, but they said they can't do anything for coccyx injuries. All you can do is rest and take strong painkillers.

Well that's good to know that nothing would have changed!

Luckily for me, the physio managed to manipulate my muscles so things were sitting well again but I remember not being able to get out of bed or go up stairs for a few months - making school quite difficult!

 

[JFTDWS]

37. My knees have been screwed since I was a teenager, and haven’t improved with age. Most things ache after any real physical activity now.

I only have one horse in work right now (Fergus, who largely only hacks), so I don’t ride that much, compared to when I had them all in work and rode 3 pretty much every day. But even having them in the field is a fair amount of work.

I get arthritic-y pain in my hands, which is new in the last couple of years. My right wrist is also a bit screwed, I notice it mostly while poo picking, or fencing (sword, not field). I’m adding in my right shoulder and lower back to the list of woes by fencing like a maniac every Saturday.

Ah well, I’d rather have ponies (and swords and silly hobbies) than take my joints to the grave in one piece!

 

[Annagain]

I'm 46. I have various aches and pains but, after 10 months of the most debilitating pain ever last year - caused by a prolapsed disc which was pushing on the sciatic nerve - I'll take what I've got.

HRT has made a big difference - the aching in my fingers, wrists, ankles and shoulders has pretty much gone. My knees still complain at going up or down stairs but otherwise are ok and the worst is the plantar fasciitis in my left foot. It's come and gone for years and I can generally manage it quite well but over the last few months it's been particularly bad and all my normal tactics aren't working.

With Wiggy off work until about March, I'm already dreading getting back on! I do pilates once a week and I'm really noticing that it's more difficult without the riding in between so I need to find another class (I'm useless at doing it on my own, I need to commit to a class)

 

[Skib]

I dressed to hack today but chickened out. It is pouring with rain and I have put on weight and couldnt do up my breeches. I am however serious about riding and have been on line and bought breeches in a larger size.

 

[Titchy Reindeer]

I'll be 36 this week and don't really ache normally. I have noticed that I'm getting a bit creakier standing up after being sat down a long time. The worst is after trimming the horses' feet. When Little Madam was still in work, I'd try to do two feet at a time, now that they're both ladies of leisure, I tend to bring in and do all eight feet in one go. It can take me a minute or two to stand up straight afterwards. I've got a slightly dodgy ankle as well that stops working if it's not happy, just basically gives way and I sometimes have to grip with my knees to stay on the horse at that point. Overall, not too bad for a long time rider and a former regular-faller-offer.

 

[Annagain]

I'll be 36 this week and don't really ache normally. I have noticed that I'm getting a bit creakier standing up after being sat down a long time. The worst is after trimming the horses' feet. When Little Madam was still in work, I'd try to do two feet at a time, now that they're both ladies of leisure, I tend to bring in and do all eight feet in one go. It can take me a minute or two to stand up straight afterwards

I'd definitely fail a flexion test!

 

[Surbie]

Mid-50s. I have a nadgered right hip and leg from a riding accident, probable arthritis in a left toe and issues with short term memory from another fall. Getting up in the night or in the morning is painful, but if I did less I would have less range of movement. HRT helps.

 

[Time for Tea]

70 and don’t really notice it. Ride most days and still get off on rides to do gates that don’t open.
No pain really which is surprising as my gran was totally crippled with arthritis so assumed I would imherit it but so far so good.

Don’t go to the gym or anything and think I have just kept fit from doing a lot of physical work. Age is just a number.

I would have said this and I am the same age, but 2 hours with some draghounds on hound exercise on Sunday has shown me the difference between my normal riding and this other sort! We galloped and galloped, my pony was very keen, my stomach, rib and chest muscles and legs are absolutely killing me.

 

[Time for Tea]

Fell off and knocked by coccyx out of place. 'Why on earth didn't you go to the hospital?' was the physio's comment two years post fall.

Back pain, can't do sit ups, restless leg syndromes, migraines (probably from countless concussions).

I'm 21

I’m sorry to read this. Can your coccyx be repositioned surgically? Or removed?

 

[Time for Tea]

I’m sorry to read this. Can your coccyx be repositioned surgically? Or removed?

Sorry bit of a daft post