Most comfortable riding boots (cramp problem)?

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FionaM12

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I've been wearing cheap rubber riding boots since I returned to riding (the last time I rode was the '70s ;)) but I'm having problems with cramp.

I generally seem very prone to cramp these days, I get it in the night quite often, sometimes I get it while driving too. When I'm riding, it only happend when the horse starts to canter, then after a few seconds the cramp kicks in. Last time it was so painful I heaved Mollie to a standstill and threw myself off to hop round like a mad thing. :eek: Mollie stood still, a bemused look on her face.

Anyway, it seems restricted foot/legwear doesn't help. I do have a pair of half-chaps, but has anyone any advice about footwear to wear with them? If jodhpur boots are best, what make? Or are ordinary walking boots or similar more comfortable?

Has anyone else experienced recurring cramp when riding?
 
Get some Ariat zip front boots so comfortable and lovely to ride in and when you are on the ground.
Where are you getting the cramp ?
 
Quinine is supposed to help with cramps - it's in tonic water (not sure if gin would help!).
See you doc if it carries on though, I don't want to worry you but it can be a sign of underlying health problems.
Hope you get it sorted :)
 
The cramp's in my lower legs and feet. sometimes (agony!!) it feels like it's in the shin bone :eek:.

I've bought some pottasium tablets and I eat lots of bananas!

*off to google Ariat boots... *
 
I get that shin bone cramp - It HURTS!
stopped completely with my Ariat Bromonts

Start saving ;)

edited to say i get it the morning after a long nights dancing in flat shoes!!
Let me know if you find out what it is!
 
I second the Ariat suggestion- they are defo some of the best boots on the market- especially the devon cobalt short boots and half chaps!
 
no boots suggestions but, as well as potassium, buy some magnesium tablets, magnesium helps with muscles, tendons, and joints. i used to get extemely bad cramps in both my calfs and thighs, to the point where i would fall of the sofa and start rolling around on the floor cuz they hit so suddenly and were so bad. i started taking magnesium tablets and my last cramp was i think about 9 months ago :)
 
PingPongPony said:
, magnesium helps with muscles, tendons, and joints. i used to get extemely bad cramps in both my calfs and thighs, to the point where i would fall of the sofa and start rolling around on the floor cuz they hit so suddenly and were so bad. i started taking magnesium tablets and my last cramp was i think about 9 months ago :)
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Hmmm *starts wondering about possibility of sharing Mollie's magnesuim...*:D
 
I get cramp when trying to sleep at night what works for me is putting on warm socks. I think it helps the circulation get going again. Cramp is horrible so hope you manage to crack it.
 
Cocorules said:
I get cramp when trying to sleep at night what works for me is putting on warm socks. I think it helps the circulation get going again. Cramp is horrible so hope you manage to crack it.
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I have been known to leap out of bed at 3am and hop up and down in the bath while spraying hot water on my shins and calves. :(
 
I suffered terrible cramp when getting going again after a broken leg I use sprenger bow balance stirrups now I am not they stopped the cramps but it has stopped.
 
Random question... Do any of you cramp sufferers take simvastatin for raised cholesterol? simvastatin is well known for causing cramp, so if you are, maybe worth seeing your GP to get them to swap you onto a different medication. I would do that rather than taking quinine, as quinine taken long term can cause serious sight problems.
 
I get terrible cramp too .dont know what to do for the best to relieve it.while on holiday a few years back I was in swimming pool with my daughter her son and my sister my calf went into cramp, sister wanted to massage it but I was howling in so much pain they thought it was so funny.luckiley we were only ones in pool.i get cramps riding too.
 
gooster said:
Random question... Do any of you cramp sufferers take simvastatin for raised cholesterol? simvastatin is well known for causing cramp, so if you are, maybe worth seeing your GP to get them to swap you onto a different medication. I would do that rather than taking quinine, as quinine taken long term can cause serious sight problems.
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I don't take it, no. I take stuff for asthma, allergies, osteoporosis and trachenteric bursitis though.
 
Saw a physio for an unrelated leg injury and mentioned getting cramp and she suggested doing some yoga and then practicing the postures which stretched the specific muscles affected. I got it in my calves and have found the yoga exercises really help. Have heard the quinine suggestion as well although not tried that one.

Another vote for Ariat Bromonts btw...
 
Have you considred riding in trainers with caged flexi endurance stirrups?
The wider foot on the stirrup will spread the pressure better rather than focusing it through a narrow bar accross the foot, the cushioning (they have a foam bed & made from slightly flexible material) will help your joints, & the trainers will give yet more cushioning (safe as have cages on stirrups stopping foot going through). Add on soft neoprene half-chaps (try company 'just chaps') that will gently support leg.
 
I have a suggestion for cramp sufferers in addition to the supplements, from a physio :)

Muscles nearly all work in pairs and I will use biceps and tricpe to demonstrate the basic theory (biceps being big muscle at front of your upper arm and triceps being the bingo wings)

When you go to bend your arm you contract your bicep and this sends a signal to your triceps to relax via nerves and via flooding the muscle with a relaxant. (this obviously happens at silly speeds).

Most people 'stretch' the offending muscle when they get cramp but do it passively/mechanically. One thing that helps hugely is to repeatedly try and contract the opposing muscle so to use my example if the tricep is cramping keep trying to bend your arm on and off repeatedly which will help try and flood the cramping muscle with relaxant.

With calf muscle you need to try to raise your foot but you must do it actively and lots of times not just one continuous pull.

Sorry for the long post but hopefully it made sense and will help someone :)
 
Another vote for Sprenger stirrup irons. I didn't believe they would make such a difference but they take so much pressure off your joints so they should also help to stop cramp.
 
In the past I used to get cramp every night in my feet. A homeopathic vet told me to take 1 x Cuprum 30c each night. I never got round to buying any though, so I can't say if it works. Just keeping my feet and calf area warm seemed to do the trick. I now occasionally get severe cramp in my quads instead, it's excruciating.
 
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