Old injuries human and riding

[Gingerwitch]

So...in the past . I have broken my pelvis, both ankles, fractured my neck in 3 places, broken little finger on right hand had a knee arthroscopy and currently have got a frozen shoulder which is improving. I try not to take pain killers but flipping heck does dismounting hurt in this weather, it hurts my ankles, knees and the jar on the shoulder knocks me a bit sick. I really struggle to get off the bigger two 17hh and 16.3, the two ponies 15.2 and 16hh are much easier. I have taken to lunging the other two with the weather so cold and damp.
I carry a 1 to 2 stone over my ideal weight which I know is not helping, I really am missing my swimming but c 19 has put me off even when the leisure centre was open. Its so bad I am thinking of selling the biggest one, but he was bequeathed to me when I lost a friend earlier this year so really feel dishonorable to do this.
Any one got any tips ?

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Take the painkillers when you need them. A friend who is a nurse tells me off for being “brave” or trying to do without when I need them (mostly in this cold weather). I ought to build a mounting platform to ease dismounting!

 

[Errin Paddywack]

When my hip was really bad I told the doctor I tried to do without painkillers and got told not to be so silly and to take them so I do. She was right.

 

[stormox]

Dismount onto a mounting block. I used to with my 17hh+ horse. Rode up beside the block and dismounted doing what i do to mount backwards.

 

[ycbm]

Dismount onto a block.

If you don't have one, do the frozen-feet or old-and-broken-person dismount I do.

Lean forwards. Bend your left arm. Put your left elbow over the right side of the withers. Lean your weight into your armpit. Swing your leg over slowly transferring all your weight to your armpit and control your slide to the floor.

 

[Shay]

Its a real mix with pain releif though. My physio prefers I don't take pain relief unless I have to as it will mask the fact I am doing further injury. Plus codine addiction is a real risk, long term paracetemol use damages the liver etc. (Severely fractured L3&4 stablised with surgery, fractured pelvis seperately)

I manage with a combination of piliates (before CV19 - not I am struggling) and physio every 3 - 4 weeks. I only use pain releif if I have to in order to sleep. You can get a cream called fisioderm which is herbal which I find really helps when the damaged muscles spasm. K tape is good - your physio can show you how to use it. For a long time I had to use a specially designed brace but I confess I don't that much now - only going back to it when I have to.

Partnership with a really good physio who understands your injuries and the impact of riding / yardwork wsa the key for me. I know hard to find just at the moment but worth starting that search. We wouldn't hesitate for our horses!

 

[J&S]

Haha ycmb...... I do that, it is a sort of absail down the side of the big horse! GW, you must stop the concussive effect of dismounting, at worst certainly try to dismount onto a softer surface than concrete, maybe a grassy bank or, a large mounting block as previously suggested. My go to pain killer was Ibrupofen but I'm not allowed to take it any more, paracetamol just doesn't really do it and codene is too "druggy". I have a big tube of the fisiocreme mentioned by Shay, and although it gives a nice fizzy/hot effect on application I don't find it has helped. My aches and pains are all pretty much age related as pretty much every part of me has bitten the dust in the past for one reason or another, best relief I have found in general is Bowen Therapy.

 

[magicmoments]

Interesting regarding dismounting onto a mounting block. I tried that a few times and I jarred my back momentarily. I have no injuries and a 16.1hh horse so I have no excuse really. I was only thinking the other day who'd want a big horse when it freezing.

 

[cobgoblin]

Put a rubber mat down in the yard and dismount onto that.

 

[Goldenstar]

I just take painkiller I just can’t function without now.
I have taught mine to stand at the block for me to get off .

 

[onemoretime]

Ive been take Aloe Vera juice for the past 2 weeks and the difference it has made to my back pain is amazing. I broke my hip in a fall 3 years ago (I was 63 at the time) and also did something to my back but it didn't show on x rays. Ive had physio, chiro etc and go to pilates when its on, that did help a lot and cant wait to go back when/if it starts again but nothing has made the difference that the aloe vera has made. I give it to my mare as well, just 25mil once a day for both of us.

 

[canteron]

Please don’t hate me but .... do a few stretches in the morning (google morning stretches) doesn’t have to be strenuous or take more than 5 minutes but doing it 5 or so times a week makes the ‘hugest’ difference.

Or, even better idea, move to the Caribbean ? ? ? ???

 

[suebou]

Dismount onto a block.

If you don't have one, do the frozen-feet or old-and-broken-person dismount I do.

Lean forwards. Bend your left arm. Put your left elbow over the right side of the withers. Lean your weight into your armpit. Swing your leg over slowly transferring all your weight to your armpit and control your slide to the floor.

I pretty much do this onto three foot mounting block!

 

[windand rain]

Sounds like the perfect reason to own a 13.1 hand Highland pony trouble is if you are used to big horses you hit the ground a bit quick as you dismount. Seriously though get a munting platform to mount and dismount from even on my highland I find a series of steps to a platform and just sort of slide on the easiest way to mount. Dont ride due to shot knee it was smashed to bits by my naughty greedy pony