Looking after horses when owner has bad back - tips/advice pleas

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poops

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I am totally immobile at present due to severe back spasms/pain.

I have never had this before. Luckily my daughter is able to do the horses. However I realise I will have to look after my back in future.

I would be grateful for any tips/advice for making yard jobs easier.

Thank you
 
Do you know what caused it in the first place? It depends whats actually wrong i guess but with my back i avoid bending over so i poo pick with a bucket and crouch down, i never fill a wheel barrow right up before emptying it, i pick out feet kneeling. Beds i have straw pellets and i deep litter so i don't have to lift wet - although my girl mostly lives out anyway which also helps.
 
I don't know what caused it but as I haven't had problems before I suppose I wasn't very careful.
 
Oh poor you, I feel your pain. Ive suffered with my back since I was 17 and stupidly did nothing about it so at 34 now its gradually got worse. Currently its actually pretty good but I do try and be careful.
My o/h fitted automatic water bowls in my stable so it means I no longer lug heavy buckets round.
I use a corn broom where possible as im able to sweep in a more upright position with less back influence.
Keep your back warm in winter- make certain you have no gaps between tops and bottoms! I stopped using blousen type coats as they ride up a bit and longer looser coats
actually help keep my back far more supple.
Hay soaking is a major no-no. This year im actually considering a Haycube at great expense but wet nets are a killer.
Get someone else to carry feed to and from your car etc.
and get it checked over from time to time. If your anything like me my horses get back checks but not me!
 
A hoof cradle - it is impossible to pick out feet properly without taking the strain, and once your horse is familiar with this it really makes a difference. For me, doing feet is the worst thing, but keeping wheelbarrows half full before pushing, using a hosepipe for water and having someone to help with lifting feed bags etc. all make a big difference too.
My Solution saddle made a massive difference as well, so it is worth looking into your saddle, if riding causes your back pain.
I agree with corn brooms and keeping warm.
 
Just a little handy tip, I put baling twine through the handle of my water bucket. Means no bending over to pull full buckets. When I fill hay nets I pull them along the floor too then only lift when in stable.
;ust Small things but makes my life a little easier.
Hope your back eases up soon.
 
As above you just need to manage things well in all aspects of life so you don't put yourself in a place where you are likely to strain it again. Usually it is a gradual process then a final straw that does it (literally in some cases :D )

Also need to make sure you sit properly and have back support and do not slouch and compress your spine, make sure your bed and pillows, car seat and any office chair and desk set up do not contribute to issues. See a chiropractor/ physio regularly to stop problems escalating and do strengthening exercises under their supervision. I've always been recommended icing the injury using cold packs and not using heat and the worst thing is to get in a hot bath I've been told. The muscle spasm may be protecting your spine and vertebrae from further damage e.g. slipped disc - any release of that spasm risks further injury to the structures it is protecting.

I use a lightweight aluminium ergonomically shaped handle shavings fork with plastic prongs (present from sister in the USA). Cannot use the big metal ones at all. I poo-pick with gloves and crouch not bend.

Learn how to lift properly and do not twist and lift.

Ibuprofen and paracetamol are always useful :D
 
Couldn't stop laughing when saw this thread! I was mucking out a deep littered stable this morning and I'm now suffering and bent over like a half shut knife!! I slipped a disc years ago and have been really carefull since. Every so often my back goes into spasms and I cant do anything, so horses are left to my daughter, but luckily it only happens about once a year
I put lots of sawdust down then straw on top and its very easy to muck out and then every couple of weeks, I take the wet sawdust out. I put a lead rope through the handle of the waterbuckets, get my hubby to lift feedbags and I don't use haynets, but use a long pitch fork to carry the hay.
Lots of painkillers, anti inflammetries, muscle relaxants and not forgetting the TENS machine, are what gets me though!

Good Luck and hope you are not suffering too much!
 
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