Overcoming physical weakness (rider, not horse)

arizonahoney

arizonahoney

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Looking for advice and inspirational stories, please!

I have a sticky hip on one side, which is caused by degeneration of the femur head where it fits into the hip socket... Sort of thing which might benefit from hip replacement, but that's really depressing to think about as I'm not even 30 yet :(

When I ride, the leg on the bad side cannot hang down and round in the proper way and has a tendency to grip up, meaning that I am not sitting square in the saddle despite my best efforts. So I've not dared to compete at dressage or showing, where these things would be immediately noticed.

Can anyone think of an exercise to help me correct myself - to do both in the saddle and on the ground?

Thanks mucho!

xx
 
I'm afraid I've not got any useful advice for you, I'd be too worried that it may cause more harm than good. However, a good physio should be able to give you some exercises to help the situation.

Is it possible that your saddle is not helping by restricting the "dodgy" leg, could you possibly shorten the stirrup on that side so that you are more balanced in the seat. Would a different type of saddle with the stirrup bars in a slightly different position help (further back, more underneath you) ? Have you ever considered a Western saddle, a bit extreme I know, but it worked for me.
 
I do ride western some of the time and that's much easier - possibly because you rely on the stirrups much less and have them longer than would feel secure in an english seat.

Still, looking at stirrup bars sounds good - not something I'd thought of... A narrower horse has also been suggested but not something I'm contemplating at the mo!
 
Have you tried one of those seat pads that is meant for the treeless saddles? It means you aarent sitting on such a flat surface. I keep meaning to get this to try as I have a similar issue - but not from same problem - my left leg does very little when I ride and is about 2-3" further forward than the right and always feels like I am forcing it down when I am not.

I found that riding without stirrups helped, and also bareback (as long as horse ok with this). But I don't know anything definate that helps. My boy has just learnt that not much happens at the left side.
 
Try pilates classes. I found they really helped after my pelvic problems (due to childbirth). I also found a book on amazon calle pilates for dressage riders which haas some great exercises in it.

Good advice too re stirrup bars but also look at saddles with a narrower twist. Maybe a dressage saddle would suit you better?
 
I went to a demo on equipilates, very enlightening and by the sounds of it, could be just what you're looking for. The lady was called Lindsay Wilcox-Reid I think and she was great
 
I have an injury which means that my right leg is very strange, especially when iride :) it issignificantly weaker than my left and i have limited control over it. I have weekly physio to help maintain the level i am at and try to exercise daily to keep my muscles in other areas strong to reduce further injury. I can explain what helps me etc but you should be having physio etc to help you. I wouldnt want to give you advice that might be more harm then good for you. just because it works for me doesnt mean it would for you :(.

Hope youget the help you need

x
 
Yes, pilates good! Have you tried one of those wobble board things? They're good for building up balance and core stability; plus a gym ball is a good thing to use as well, but bearing in mind your physical difficulties you would need someone to show you how to safely do some exercises on it.

Personally I'd be inclined to search yourself out a good physiotherapist who is also qualified for equine work, and get her/him to work alongside you and your horse, coz its probable that if you're lopsided then your horse will be affected too and may be out of balance or a bit stiffer on one rein for instance. I'm an exercise professional and if you're looking for someone you might find that, for instance, a Bowen or McTimoney qualified person will help your situation. I know there are other therapies out there, but if you're not sure then feel free to PM me. Please note I don't practice either of the two therapies I've mentioned - I teach dance/keep fit, so am not proselytising!!!

You may find that swimming or aqua-aerobics might help you as you weigh less in water and the movements will be much slower.

I'm lopsided, have one leg longer than the other, and I just wonder if you might be too, its a common problem. I didn't even know it till five years ago when I had a medical for something else and the consultant pointed it out: then it made sense and explained a lot coz I get back problems too - also my horse is stiffer on the right rein!

If you get the right professional to help you it will make a huge difference to you I think. You might also get your equine/human physio person to look at your saddle as well coz I had the saddler to mine this morning and apparently you can now get saddles with memory foam in them (oooooohhhh, tempting!!!). I now ride with the endurance stirrups which have a bit more "give" in them; also the Sprenger ones are supposed to be fantastic.

Good luck. Hope all goes well.
 
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