Poo Picking and Bad Backs - Advice

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canteron

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I am a 3 barrows a day girl. Skip, gloves and wheelbarrow and it deffo hurts my back - I think its the swinging the skip into the barrow, not the actual collecting.

Anyone have a method of poo picking and still have an 'unachy' back - if so share your secret.
 
I hurt my back quite badly up until about a year ago, I was practically useless for two years. My solution was to break everything down a bit, so instead of using a skip to muck out, use a smaller bucket; only half fill water buckets to carry etc. It is a pain as eveything takes so much longer, although it keeps you fit doing twice as many journeys! Failing that, get somebody else to do it for a while if that is an option.

Also working on posture and maybe taking up pilates for core strength once you're fixed might help :)
 
Well, much as hate to admit it, I'm a bit of a poo-picking queen as I work at one yard where there are several horses and it's done daily, plus I keep my own at a DIY yard where I have to do it there too!

At work we have the luxury of a quad and trailer which "whizzes" around several fields in about an hour. At my DIY yard I'm on foot with a wheelbarrow, but at both yards I just use a shavings fork and barely ever have any twinges in my back. (And I'm no spring chicken either!!).

It's actually quite good fun (can't believe I admitted to that!!).

I've tried a skip in the past and cannot get on with one, so maybe that's your problem??

Good luck!!!
 
No I'm afraid! I alternate sides I pick and throw! lol Also make sure I use a light wood/plastic fork as much as I can.The metal ones are quite a bit heavier. Move your feet when you put it in the barrow or position yourself to avoid as much twisting.

Mta... yes I use a plastic shavings fork too as much as I can.
 
Where I work we all poo pick with shavings forks. I used to muck out and poo pick in a very hunched over position which did strain my back even though I thought I was making it easier for myself (silly me!) One of the girls told me to stand up straight and hold the fork with one hand on the end and the other half way down. That way you can use the fork like a lever and use your upper arm/shoulder and stomach muscles instead of your back. My back has been much better and muck slinging has been much easier ever since. Hope this helps!
 
Another vote for the shavings fork and straight into the barrow. I'm slightly arthritic and find this much better than hunching over and lifting skips.
 
I use a long handled scoop and rake thingy for skipping out and in the school I find this great as I don't have to bend down.I also have a smaller version at home for the dog business so I don't have to get too close to it lol
 
Miss-rose said:
I use a long handled scoop and rake thingy for skipping out and in the school I find this great as I don't have to bend down.I also have a smaller version at home for the dog business so I don't have to get too close to it lol
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They're a great idea in theory but don't you find them hard to empty - the angle of the handle isn't right offloading, or so I find!
 
I find I only get shoulder problems with a shavings fork throwing into high sided trailers (I'm short lol)
With a scoop and rake thingy I get poo pickers (very sore) wrist and arm if I use it for general poo picking. I have six to pick for.
 
I have a chronically bad back, and I have developed a method of poo picking which seems to work for me. I think that both bending/straightening repeatedly, and lifting heavy things are both bad, so I avoid doing either very much.
I use rubber gloves to pick up the poo and then put it by hand into a small rubber bucket which is on the ground. I am right handed, so I use my right hand to pick up the poo, whilst resting my left arm, and my weight, on my left thigh. So there is no weight on my back and I don't have to bend and straighten all the time. Then I empty the bucket into my wheelbarrow and go on to the next lot of poos.
Works for me! :D
 
I use one of those red plastic snow scrapers(which I use for mucking out shavings bed) and scrape the poo onto it with my foot as I cant bend down then chuck into my electric wheelbarrow and zoom off to the muck heap!
 
i also get poo pickers shoulder but only if i use a shavings fork. i didnt get on with a shavings fork as it just got stuck in the ground or under long bits of grass an took twice as long. i use a long handled poo picker and a wheelbarrow and dont have a problem. can give you calises(sp) on your hands if you use it alot. i can stuff about 4 poohs in the scoop so less walking backwards and forwards.
 
I'm another one for a plastic shavings fork and a lightweight wheelbarrow. Accompanied by a strong husband to push said wheelbarrow :D
 
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