Hypermobility and riding- feeling a bit down

[Fruitcake]

Just need a bit of a moan. Feeling a bit down and wanted some reassurance from others in a similar situation.

Does anyone else have hypermobility syndrome? If so, do you have any tips on how to manage it with horses?

I know I'm nowhere near as badly affected as some and so I should be grateful but sometimes it really gets me down. I'm lucky that I don't suffer from dislocations but I am often in pain and spend my whole life feeling tight and tense as I 'hang onto' my muscles to stabilise my joints where my ridiculously flexible ligaments fail to. My hips, ankles and shoulders are probably worst affected although I have issues with my hands when writing and my back hurts permanently. This really affects my riding as, due to my tight muscles and lose joints, I find I can tend to block, particularly into canter transitions and with lateral work. I find isolating my core really hard and tend to over use my muscles as that's the way my body has had to learn to stop my joints flopping and bending around!

It's awkward as, because on the surface I don't look as though there's anything wrong, I don't think people understand.

Sorry for the moan. Just feeling a bit fed up and a bit useless at the minute. I don't want to seem negative but really can't see how I can ever be the rider I want to be if I can't find a way around this.

 

[scewal]

My 8 year old son has EDS type 3 (hyper mobility) he actually finds riding helps, but does get achy hands. Sorry not much help at all but feel for you.

 

[Lintel]

Also have HMS, and I can totally sympathise.
Mine affects mainly my knees, hips and shoulders so far l all these dislocate nicely when they fancy! Thankfully the pain isn't bad, some days I can really feel my muscles compensating, especially if there has been a recent dislocation and that itself can be really uncomfortable and painful but generally it doesn't affect my riding too badly!

Have you been to physio? Or have you got medication to keep the pain under control? Ask your GP about this if you haven't! Believe or not horse riding is a great thing for hypermobility according to my consultant, as it improves your core strength and therefore takes a good bit o pressure from your joints. Swimming also I've heard is excellent, I personally hate it as I feel the water pulls at my joints especially in the shoulders, but if you don't suffer dislocation I'd imagine it would be good.
How about using a specific core trainer? - Or getting physio exercises, I find if I take a bit of time of riding my HMS flares up abit.

Definitely go to your GP/consultant if you haven't and discuss the issues I'm sure they'll be able to give you some advice or perhaps join the HMS forum they are very supportive
All the best it's good to have a moan now and then though xx

 

[Fruitcake]

Thanks so much of the replies. I've also heard that riding is good for hypermobility. According to physio, I have really good core strength: it's isolating it that's the problem. He recommended Pilates which I have tried on and off. Suppose I should make a bit more of an effort there. I hadn't thought about swimming. I'm not much of a swimmer (find the whole breathing and coordination thing hard!) but might give that a go too.

GP, in general, hasn't been much help. Told me to take Ibroprofen and Paracetamaol and more or less said that it's just something that I have to live with (which, to some extent, I know, is true) but I do confess to going home and crying after that.

I go for sports massage once a month which really hurts at the time but is worth it for the relief afterwards. Unfortunately, it only lasts a couple of days and then everything tenses up again.

Have been meaning to join HMS forum for a while. You've spurred me on to do that, Lintel.

 

[Lintel]

Thanks so much of the replies. I've also heard that riding is good for hypermobility. According to physio, I have really good core strength: it's isolating it that's the problem. He recommended Pilates which I have tried on and off. Suppose I should make a bit more of an effort there. I hadn't thought about swimming. I'm not much of a swimmer (find the whole breathing and coordination thing hard!) but might give that a go too.

GP, in general, hasn't been much help. Told me to take Ibroprofen and Paracetamaol and more or less said that it's just something that I have to live with (which, to some extent, I know, is true) but I do confess to going home and crying after that.

I go for sports massage once a month which really hurts at the time but is worth it for the relief afterwards. Unfortunately, it only lasts a couple of days and then everything tenses up again.

Have been meaning to join HMS forum for a while. You've spurred me on to do that, Lintel.

No personal experience myself with this but I know of other who have felt aromatherapy oils have helped there muscles to relax down, so sorry your GP has been a bit rubbish but definitely join the HMS forum though- bunch of nice folks with some great advice

 

[Ladyinred]

Thanks so much of the replies. I've also heard that riding is good for hypermobility. According to physio, I have really good core strength: it's isolating it that's the problem. He recommended Pilates which I have tried on and off. Suppose I should make a bit more of an effort there. I hadn't thought about swimming. I'm not much of a swimmer (find the whole breathing and coordination thing hard!) but might give that a go too.

GP, in general, hasn't been much help. Told me to take Ibroprofen and Paracetamaol and more or less said that it's just something that I have to live with (which, to some extent, I know, is true) but I do confess to going home and crying after that.

I go for sports massage once a month which really hurts at the time but is worth it for the relief afterwards. Unfortunately, it only lasts a couple of days and then everything tenses up again.

Have been meaning to join HMS forum for a while. You've spurred me on to do that, Lintel.

My daughter has hypermobility in nearly every joint including her spine. Insist that you get a referral to a specialist and also a referral to a specialist physio. Daughter saw a sports physio who suffers from hypermobility herself, and she made a huge difference; because it was a referral she got the treatment free.

Different things help different people; swimming is bad for her and leaves her crippled by pain, whereas riding helps a lot with her core strength.

It took years to get a diagnosis and a lot of insistence to be referred to a specialist so be prepared for a struggle. We are fairly sure 3 yo Grandson has inherited the condition and he is closely watched for it.. I have it, but only mildly.

ETA be warned there are some real moaners on the HMS forum... daughter left because they were so pathetic and refused to help themselves, their main aim to milk as much in benefits as they could! Hopefully it has improved!

 

[Lintel]

My daughter has hypermobility in nearly every joint including her spine. Insist that you get a referral to a specialist and also a referral to a specialist physio. Daughter saw a sports physio who suffers from hypermobility herself, and she made a huge difference; because it was a referral she got the treatment free.

Different things help different people; swimming is bad for her and leaves her crippled by pain, whereas riding helps a lot with her core strength.

It took years to get a diagnosis and a lot of insistence to be referred to a specialist so be prepared for a struggle. We are fairly sure 3 yo Grandson has inherited the condition and he is closely watched for it.. I have it, but only mildly.

ETA be warned there are some real moaners on the HMS forum... daughter left because they were so pathetic and refused to help themselves, their main aim to milk as much in benefits as they could! Hopefully it has improved!

So sorry to hear your story of HMS forum they were so supportive to myself! There always a bad grape in a bunch!

 

[GirlFriday]

Lots of people with this do ballet. It both helps and hinders the dancing but a good teacher will likely know how to help. More fun than pilates

 

[amandaparry1994]

I have HMS, particularly in my spine and legs, I've found that, cliche I know, but, breathing is the best help for my spin. If I don't I become terribly rigid because I'm conscious that I might damage my back, but, the less I think about it the more it helps - breathing just takes my mind off of it! Riding has helped my legs no end - my knees bend enough to make a noticeable curvature which has affected the growth of my lower leg bone, to the point it also has a slight curve. The riding position just helps relieve any pain. It's about the only sport I can do without needing to take copious amounts of pain killers!

 

[Fruitcake]

Thanks so much for the helpful replies.

I think I'll go back to the GP and ask for a referral. I've been rereading my Sally Swift Centred Riding book which has some helpful ideas and exercises. Think some specialist exercises for hypermobile joints might help though.

 

[Jasper151]

I suffer from HMS (amongst other things) and can find riding tricky. I especially struggle with my knees and ankles. Ankles are now a lot better after getting new boots (Ariat Grasmeres so I can do them up tightly and they are supportive). I tape my knees and this helps, but unfortunately it can dislocate.

I would really recommend physio. It's taken a fair few years, but I now have a lot of good muscle which keeps the HMS in check a little. I used to be able to dislocate my hips and I am now unable to do this. Try and get referred to a specialist, you may find you have other disorders which sit hand in hand with HMS which need to be treated separately. I have been very lucky as I am local to a specialist hospital which have physios who specialise in HMS, they have also run coping skills courses and are really helpful.

I no longer do the physio as I have a PT and I am doing Powerlifting training. I can really emphasize with you looking 'normal', it's hard to explain and people rarely can understand it.

Good luck!

 

[ester]

So I'm not technically hypermobile but am in some bits.
Again have done pilates on and off over the years, including some one to ones but still required regular physio to stop by left buttcheek etc going into spasm. - issues since I was 14 with that, now 32.
My physio has recently put me in touch with a friend of hers that she tends to send her hypermobile ladies to as she couldn't work out why I couldn't stay straight despite what I was doing exercise wise.
Her friend is also a physio but really interested in the rehab side/using pilates techniques etc.

Well I have seen her twice and OMG it has been amazing, she spotted every little difference and has found things I never knew existed and I really think we might get some where with it!

 

[godfreyy]

I really struggled with HMS during my teens (my GP gave me a sheet of exercises to do and that was my "prescription" for treatment...). I had danced since I was very little, but found that the more I trained that it really seemed to help. I also tried Karate which seemed to help too.

I still struggle with it now, but most days its a lot easier than it used to be. Though if I stop riding for a week or two it does flare up (I no longer dance or do karate as I just don't have the time, so I would say that now riding probably helps me the most) which normally motivates me to ride all the more.

 

[smja]

My sister has HMS, and I'm on the cusp (lots of gymnastics as a kid helped me).

Make friends with an osteopath, do body control Pilates, and find a good sports massage person - it really does help

Also, don't worry about days when you feel like you physically can't ride. I insisted I was doing a dressage test when I felt mega stiff - sure enough, right hip popped out again. Work out what's the 'normal' level, and as soon as you go outside that range then get an appointment for sports massage.

 

[shortstuff99]

I have EDS type 3. I go to the gym at least 3x a week where I do pilates strengthening exercises along with using a x trainer. I make sure not to do any high impact training it is all about muscle strength (which is key with HMS the muscles need to replace the ligaments basically!). I also ride at least 5x a week and I have found having a made to measure for me WOW saddle has been one of the best things i have ever bought for my HMS and riding! I make sure to always buy easy to grip gloves and reins which makes a big difference. I also never push a wheelbarrow that's too heavy. On top of this I see a specialist physio every 6weeks where I have deep tissue massage and electro acupuncture. I also see a rheumatologist Hope that helps

 

[Catherine94]

I have HMS primarily affecting my shoulders, back, hips and knees. I managed to get a referral to a physiotherapist through my GP which has really helped. I was also recommended gentle swimming to help strengthen the muscles in the affected areas and that has helped a great deal. In regards to riding, its really a case of finding what works for you and your horse. I do most of my canter work in a light seat as i find it doesn't jolt my joints as much, and I tend to use my lower leg and stomach muscles to control my horse rather than using my arms (its taken a bit of retraining for both myself and my horse). I also tape my shoulders to give them some additional support. I hope you manage to get it sorted

 

[Embo]

I'm another in the ultra-bendy joints club!

I'm not terribly affected, but I am hyper-mobile in my elbows, hips, knees and ankles. Thankfully no dislocations, but lots of activities can be very uncomfortable.

Pilates is good and for me (I would go to sessions with my Osteo) it actually helped identify which parts of my body are most affected.

For riding, the right tack can help. Bendy stirrups or stirrups with a sloped foot-bed are a must. I rode my friends horse a few weeks ago and she has standard fillis irons. My ankles and knees were very uncomfortable as soon as I put my feet in the stirrups. Even with my bendy/angled stirrups, I 'lose' my ankles from time to time, but it's much more comfortable in general.

 

[BlackVelvet]

I'm worse now i no longer ride, my hips are extremely painful and often 'pop' out of joint. I'm guessing i had stronget muscles from riding that used to help!

 

[Sprat]

I am in the same boat as Embo, hypermobile but luckily no dislocations as of yet.

I find I struggle most with my shoulders, knees, elbows and hips.

I regularly see a physio and chiropractor, and have found that both pilates and yoga has helped. Swimming is really good as well, but it's just trying to find the time.

I'm currently in the situation where I am selling my gelding as he is just too heavy for my shoulders to cope, I need to buy something much lighter in the mouth or I end up in agony after every ride.

Catherine94, what do you mean by taping your shoulders?

 

[Catherine94]

Catherine94, what do you mean by taping your shoulders?

I use kinesio tape across the top of my shoulders to help stabilise the joints and support the muscles. I don't do it every time i ride, only if I'm doing something that my horse is likely to find particularly exciting

I should probably add that I only started doing it on recommendation from my physiotherapist

 

[Sprat]

I use kinesio tape across the top of my shoulders to help stabilise the joints and support the muscles. I don't do it every time i ride, only if I'm doing something that my horse is likely to find particularly exciting

I should probably add that I only started doing it on recommendation from my physiotherapist

I may speak to my physio about it. Do you find it helps?

 

[Catherine94]

I may speak to my physio about it. Do you find it helps?

I've found it's helped with the muscle pain more than anything

 

[Jasper151]

I use the K tape on my knee and it certainly help with stability (my kneecap has a habit of floating around). My shoulder dislocates, and the tape does help, unfortunately I cannot keep it on my shoulder for long as apparently i have sensitive skin on my shoulder and I have come out in a rash before.

It's definitely worth speaking to a physio or a sports therapist and having applied professionally first, but once you seen how they do it, you can do it on yourself.