Riding after a abdominal Hysterectomy

I had mine early November but did not start riding til Jan I think it was. I had full bells and whistles job from belly button downwards. Had to stop then due to DVT in leg...side effect of the chemo which was why I had the hysterectomy in the first place!
 
Hi I had mine (total) beginning of last July and got back on my very well behaved cob at the end of October. Getting on and quiet hacking was ok but getting off was a bitch!! Core strength was completely shot. I'm only just feeling like I'm getting back to normal and doing all the normal horsey jobs, but it was the best thing I ever did. You need to allow plenty of time to heal properly as you don't want to prolapse internally. Take it slowly and give yourself time to heal - I was told it takes a year for everything to settle down completely and for full internal healing. I feel great now and you cannot even see my scar, which was quite long! Good luck with your op I'm so glad I had mine. Just ask about HRT afterwards as you get launched straight into full menopause! I am on Livial and its been great. Xx
 
Surreydeb thank you for the advise, Im at 4 weeks after my op, external scar looks OK not that I can bring myself to touch it. Main place I get sharp pain is below my bellybutton also cant walk over 1.5 hours, been to horses but only groomed so far. Thanks re HRT, hot sweats at night have really kicked in :D
 
No pain after riding just usual aching legs you get after time off! Tummy was sore getting off so I used mounting block so I didn't rub against saddle.
 
Are you having physio? You will need to make sure you take it easy and build your abdominal muscles to prevent further injury. Swimming is good for this :)
 
My advice would be to ask your surgeons advice and listen to your body. When i had mine done my surgeon told me that everything should be safely healed after 2 weeks, after that riding would not do any harm but might feel uncomfortable. I first sat on my horse at 4 weeks and cautiously resumed regular riding at about 6 weeks. I took back full care of my horse after 5 and a half weeks, she was turned out on the day and in at night, on a semi deep litter bed which i skipped out daily, and my mum mucked out fully at the weekend. I carried water buckets which were just 1/3 full and just adapted everything to minimise lifting. I know that this contradicts other peoples experiences but ultimately it is your surgeon who knows exactly what has been done and will be in the best position to advise you.
 
hi , i had a hysterectomy because of giant (size of a rugby ball !) fibroid over 10 years ago , scar from belly button down , it took me about 6 weeks to recover and i rode my sensible ploddy cob from 8 weeks after op but had to build my fitness back up , walking & swimming helped me
i kept my overies as i was under 40 years old so no HRT
think of all the money you'll save from not having to buy sanitary products , i must of saved a fortune :)
 
I only did exercises physio gave me and my surgeon said no swimming for at least 6 weeks due to risk of infection. As I gradually got more active I did as other poster carrying things only 1/3 to 1/2 full etc. your body will tell you what you can do you gradually build it up until one day you realise you are doing everything again. It's relatively a short time in the scheme of things and you need to take it easy and build yourself up. Us horsey people have the advantage we were quite fit before our ops but we are bad at taking it easy!
 
I had Fibroids too, causing dysfunctional bleeding and making me Anaemic. I got back on after 6 weeks but just did short hacks. Generally looking after your horse will get you fit again. Your jobs might take twice as long but you'll probably enjoy doing them! Just creep around and do no more than feels comfortable.

On the bright side, by the time you're really ready to get cracking, the clocks will have changed and spring will be springing everywhere and you'll be motivated. I expect you'll be feeling so much better than before the op. I had a new lease of life once i'd got over mine :)
 
I didnt ride for 3 months after abdominal myomectomy for alien baby sized fibroids. Even then I took it gently. I just didnt want to risk any internal tears and having to go back to the hospital! Other jobs, well after 2 weeks I did stuff like leading the horses, after a month I mucked out and after 6 weeks I poo picked.

The good news is exactly 12 months on I feel super dupes and a better weller version of what I was pre op, just with a big zip scar but even thats fading!
 
lachlanandmarcus Thank you for that, I did poo pick today but not empty barrow and filled hay nets, Hope I feel like you in 12 months
 
I rode Western, and I set myself a goal of riding again at 6 weeks after open. I achieved this with the help of a mounting block and a very well behaved horse! What really shocked me was how sick I felt being a passenger in a car for quite a while... You just have to listen to your body as has been said, and sensible, the last thing you want is a fall from a horse after such a major op. I was told not to lift so much as a kettle for a long time, so be careful poo picking please!!!
 
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