Riding with hip arthritis

[Asha]

Ive been struggling for a bit now with hip pain, so finally made the trip to doctors. Had an xray and its hip arthritis, not bad enough to warrant a new one, but they will give me some stronger pain relief. I'm just finding that riding really aggravates it. I'm having physio tomorrow , so will see how that goes.

I ride a full ID mare, I'm assuming that as she's quite wide and I've lost some mobility in my hip that's aggravating it ? Getting on and off are the worst bits, but she's an absolute star for me and doesnt mind when I accidently kick her bum.

Is it fair to say that my balance could be affected by the loss of mobility in that hip, hence why I fell off jumping last year ( looking for excuses maybe ?)

Just after some tips really as how everyone copes with it , any exercises to do and if its a case of ' just stop moaning and get on with it' I do not want to stop riding, but the pain on a day to day is awful. Im not exactly old either ( still in my 40's..just)

Thank you !

 

[Goldenstar]

I could not ride the ID’s when my hip was at its worse .
I still don’t ride the biggest one when he's his summer weight
you need to get pain relief sorted the only thing that helped me was diclofenic and Tramadol when it was really bad .
exercises to keep your hip flexors supple will help a lot so my top tip would be go and see a good private physio and learn the exercises and do them and sports massage did help me .
I kept my severely arthritic hip going fifteen years and rode it’s was completely shot at the end .

 

[Annagain]

I'd go and see a good physio (preferably one who understands horses and riders) and get some exercises tailored to you. I used to get hip pain when I rode. I had a physio watch me ride and give me a good work over - my hip flexors were really tight - I do exercises every day now. One of them is sitting on the floor with my back against the sofa and opening my legs as far as I can. When I started I could barely get my feet 2ft apart they're now about 4ft apart and all I do is watch telly in a funny position! I don't get any pain any more.

 

[Asha]

I'd go and see a good physio (preferably one who understands horses and riders) and get some exercises tailored to you. I used to get hip pain when I rode. I had a physio watch me ride and give me a good work over - my hip flexors were really tight - I do exercises every day now. One of them is sitting on the floor with my back against the sofa and opening my legs as far as I can. When I started I could barely get my feet 2ft apart they're now about 4ft apart and all I do is watch telly in a funny position! I don't get any pain any more.

That's a good point ref the physio. The chap im using hasn't a clue about horses, he asked me did it hurt when I put my foot on the pedal
My right leg is great, I can open that completely, its the left that only opens about 1ft. Will have a go at that exercise.Thanks !

 

[Asha]

I could not ride the ID’s when my hip was at its worse .
I still don’t ride the biggest one when he's his summer weight
you need to get pain relief sorted the only thing that helped me was diclofenic and Tramadol when it was really bad .
exercises to keep your hip flexors supple will help a lot so my top tip would be go and see a good private physio and learn the exercises and do them and sports massage did help me .
I kept my severely arthritic hip going fifteen years and rode it’s was completely shot at the end .

Thanks GS. My biggest worry is not riding my girl, i love my IDs. Will ask about those exercises, and should pick up some pain relief tonight.

 

[canteron]

Annagain is pretty spot on - it might also be worth seeing a Personal Trainer so you work on the strength and flexibility of your whole body as a dodgy hip will have impacted other areas.
You may also be able to get a saddle with a narrower twist, that would help.

 

[rara007]

Does mounting from the other side help? It goes without saying a decent height block helps too. Obviously a non BHS and dangerous tactic but if I’ve been riding our wide one a while I have to get off forwards. He’s only short and stands like a rock just 4XW. It probably depends which hip is worst or if it’s both sides and quite how bad it is but for me getting on is fine it’s the getting off I get stuck at!

 

[Annagain]

That's a good point ref the physio. The chap im using hasn't a clue about horses, he asked me did it hurt when I put my foot on the pedal
My right leg is great, I can open that completely, its the left that only opens about 1ft. Will have a go at that exercise.Thanks !

I'd see a physio first - it might do more harm than good for you. I have healthy hips and a muscle issue - you might need to do something different with your arthritis. There are a few in my area who specialise in riders (one also does horses so will treat the two of you as a whole) and will do ridden assessments as well as rider treatments. I'd have a google to see if there's one in your area.

 

[ihatework]

That's a good point ref the physio. The chap im using hasn't a clue about horses, he asked me did it hurt when I put my foot on the pedal
My right leg is great, I can open that completely, its the left that only opens about 1ft. Will have a go at that exercise.Thanks !

Well that’s useful for getting on/off, it would be worse if it were the other way around!! See the positives right?! ?

That said, if you don’t already do it, anchoring yourself on a neckstrap while you get off works well .... my poor giant saint has to put up with that!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

A physio would likely help, but at the end of the day this is a bone on bone issue which can be supported but not fixed. I would investigate a saddle with a narrower twist, and possibly a bigger mounting block. I know that I have to sit and acclimatise to the new position when I first get on Jacob, which has done wonders for his old 'walking off after mounting' thing I let the pain settle slightly and have a good wiggle to settle myself into the comfiest position, not very elegant but it is what it is!

I would also try longer stirrups, and different stirrups if you can, as I know that this helps me. I have the wide plastic sprung stirrups with small spikes which I initially got for knee pain (caused by the hip arthritis) but they have helped my hip too, I think this is because I can now relax through the leg with more confidence and am therefore putting less strain on the joint.

Jumping the gun a bit but once you are offered surgical intervention please speak to people who have had arthroscopies if that is what you are offered. When I thought my issue was one of 'simple' hip arthritis I thought this may be an option for me, and not once person out of many have said they would do it if they could go back and choose again!

 

[Asha]

Well that’s useful for getting on/off, it would be worse if it were the other way around!! See the positives right?! ?

That said, if you don’t already do it, anchoring yourself on a neckstrap while you get off works well .... my poor giant saint has to put up with that!

I always ride with a neck strap, never thought of using that to get off. Will have a go !

 

[Asha]

Does mounting from the other side help? It goes without saying a decent height block helps too. Obviously a non BHS and dangerous tactic but if I’ve been riding our wide one a while I have to get off forwards. He’s only short and stands like a rock just 4XW. It probably depends which hip is worst or if it’s both sides and quite how bad it is but for me getting on is fine it’s the getting off I get stuck at!

ive never tried from the other side, will see if that's better or worse. I do get stuck when getting off when ive got my dressage saddle on. I find I cant swing my leg high enough to get over the cantle. Ive thought about getting off by bringing my right leg forward and then turning like we did as kids . The mounting block is a good point, will put my plastic one on top of my wooden one. That should help. Thank you

 

[Asha]

A physio would likely help, but at the end of the day this is a bone on bone issue which can be supported but not fixed. I would investigate a saddle with a narrower twist, and possibly a bigger mounting block. I know that I have to sit and acclimatise to the new position when I first get on Jacob, which has done wonders for his old 'walking off after mounting' thing I let the pain settle slightly and have a good wiggle to settle myself into the comfiest position, not very elegant but it is what it is!

I would also try longer stirrups, and different stirrups if you can, as I know that this helps me. I have the wide plastic sprung stirrups with small spikes which I initially got for knee pain (caused by the hip arthritis) but they have helped my hip too, I think this is because I can now relax through the leg with more confidence and am therefore putting less strain on the joint.

Jumping the gun a bit but once you are offered surgical intervention please speak to people who have had arthroscopies if that is what you are offered. When I thought my issue was one of 'simple' hip arthritis I thought this may be an option for me, and not once person out of many have said they would do it if they could go back and choose again!

i did think about changing stirrups a while back. I have freejumps at the minute, but read somewhere that acavello are good , which brand do you use ? Its funny you mention about acclimatising to the position, ive found that after 1 lap and a wiggle about and im ok too. Good to know im not the only one who is a bit bonkers

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

i did think about changing stirrups a while back. I have freejumps at the minute, but read somewhere that acavello are good , which brand do you use ? Its funny you mention about acclimatising to the position, ive found that after 1 lap and a wiggle about and im ok too. Good to know im not the only one who is a bit bonkers

I use these ones: https://www.compositi.be/en/type-produit/eole/ Without knowing that they worked, my budget couldn't stretch to Acavellos.
I am fine post wiggle, but if a hack is over 1.5 hours then I start to get stiff and I have to have a good wiggle to re-awaken the joints before I get off, otherwise I crumple in a heap!

 

[Goldenstar]

I don’t get off properly I keep my feet in the stirrup swing over sort of lie over the horse then use the stirrup leather to slowly get to the ground .
Sprenger bow balance stirrups are the best for me .
and another avoid breaks from riding they don’t help have the odd day off but try to avoid long lay offs .

 

[rabatsa]

Just be aware if one hip is affected you may unconsciously be weighting your seat unevenly/sitting crooked. Have someone on the ground check this over as it can creep up over time un-noticed.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

My hip x-ray reported arthritis left hip, right hip not so bad. My doctor gave me painkillers that did nothing except make me feel ill. He told me that until I couldn't sleep without pain even on the strongest painkillers nothing would be done. I could sleep ok and sit ok but couldn't walk more than a few yards without being in agony, couldn't climb over a gate as I couldn't swing my leg over. I didn't attempt to ride as couldn't face the pain of getting on or off. I did manage to keep doing agility with my dog, she was a saint at working away from me.
Finally had a really bad bout of pain after stubbing my toe on the doorstep and went back to the doc, different one this time. He saw how much pain I was in, asked if I would consider surgery, I said yes and was referred straight away. At my referral in May 2018 the x-rays showed that it wasn't as bad as some but I stressed the active life I lead in particular my sheep and also dog agility and that I wanted to stay as fit as possible as long as possible. I was 70 at the time. Consultant said yes to op and I was operated on in Oct 2018. Best thing ever. Now back to normal and feeling great.

 

[karenb]

I've had both hips replaced first one aged 50 (very successfully) and ride 17hh ID's. Yes getting on and off was the most painful so I mounted and dismounted onto a mounting block or higher ground if out hacking, but I was OK once in the saddle and managed to ride up to about 6 weeks before my ops then it just became too much. The pain is bone on bone so phisio isn't going to help. If you're dependant on strong pain killers to get around then it's time to have whatever op is appropriate irrespective of your age, so don't let the doctors fob you off !. I was back riding 6 months after both my ops, some people go back to riding sooner but I gave my self time to let everything heal and get 100% fit. Good luck, hope you get sorted

 

[QuantockHills]

Ive been struggling for a bit now with hip pain, so finally made the trip to doctors. Had an xray and its hip arthritis, not bad enough to warrant a new one, but they will give me some stronger pain relief. I'm just finding that riding really aggravates it. I'm having physio tomorrow , so will see how that goes.

I ride a full ID mare, I'm assuming that as she's quite wide and I've lost some mobility in my hip that's aggravating it ? Getting on and off are the worst bits, but she's an absolute star for me and doesnt mind when I accidently kick her bum.

Is it fair to say that my balance could be affected by the loss of mobility in that hip, hence why I fell off jumping last year ( looking for excuses maybe ?)

Just after some tips really as how everyone copes with it , any exercises to do and if its a case of ' just stop moaning and get on with it' I do not want to stop riding, but the pain on a day to day is awful. Im not exactly old either ( still in my 40's..just)

Thank you !

I was diagnosed with arthritis in both hips at 32 so too early for replacements... i lived on pain killers and as it got worse, riding for more than an hour was very painful. like others have said, i had a very high mounting block and got on and off from the 'wrong' side. To get off, i found that standing up in the stirrups, then taking one foot out and swinging it over, before taking the other foot out of the stirrup was much less painful. I had my first hip replaced at 40 years old and the second 12 months later and it's been the best thing I ever did! I can now get on and off easily and ride for as long as i want. good luck!
ps - I have a full ID now as well!

 

[J&S]

As a (very) old rider with lots of painful joints and sciatica at times I have found that using a really soft, furry saddle cover/seat saver has been a real help. I had my rug wash/mend lady make me up one from an old beaver lamb coat (that's the old name for dyed sheepskin by the way, no beavers hurt in this scenario!) so a bit military like. This may help you until you get the appropriate treatment.

 

[Leo Walker]

The pain is bone on bone so phisio isn't going to help

That's just not true. The initial issue may be bone on bone, but it affects all the muscles and ligaments around it. Pain and weighting legs different also causes muscular issues, which can worsen the arthritic pain. Tight hip flexors in particular can make hip arthritis significantly more painful.

I strongly recommend physio, and once they have done their bit, look into regular sports therapy massage to keep you right.

 

[Spotherisk]

I went to my second nhs physio appt yesterday and we ran through the exercises I need to do to help my hip pain. I’m also finding my glutes don’t ‘fire’ when I do anything ie when you walk it shouldn’t just be your legs, your bum should be involved too! So now I have a list of exercises to do about five times a day.
I can’t dismount to the left any more. As others do I keep my right foot in the stirrup, swing left leg over, kick out of stirrup and slither down, grabbing at the pony on the way down! The young Highland mare I tried yesterday was unperturbed by all this and I’m happy to say that I’ll be loaning her.

 

[Asha]

That's just not true. The initial issue may be bone on bone, but it affects all the muscles and ligaments around it. Pain and weighting legs different also causes muscular issues, which can worsen the arthritic pain. Tight hip flexors in particular can make hip arthritis significantly more painful.

I strongly recommend physio, and once they have done their bit, look into regular sports therapy massage to keep you right.

i had physio last week, he was convinced it wasnt OA, and that id had a trauma. As my muscles in my bum ( cant remember the name) where very tight and had pulled the bone out of alignment > so he strapped a belt around my thigh and pulled it back into place, and then worked on the muscles to keep them in place. It will be interesting to hear what he says when i go back tomorrow !

 

[yhanni]

I have OA in both knees and go to an osteo fortnightly (can't afford to go more often). He performs deep massage on them which disperses the fluid as they are very swollen. It definitely helps for a while. I also had acupuncture which was fab but the relief from pain was very short lived. I do Pilates as often as I can make myself too. My horse, although a bit of an idiot at times, stands like a rock, mostly, for me to drag myself on and off. Bless him!

 

[Frano]

I have a friend who had arthritis in the hip and took to riding side saddle. Also I was told by a go that I had arthritis in my hips. When queried with another go they said I didn’t. I do have a soft tissue injury from a fall. Also I take turmeric. Worth looking into.

 

[Goldenstar]

I've had both hips replaced first one aged 50 (very successfully) and ride 17hh ID's. Yes getting on and off was the most painful so I mounted and dismounted onto a mounting block or higher ground if out hacking, but I was OK once in the saddle and managed to ride up to about 6 weeks before my ops then it just became too much. The pain is bone on bone so phisio isn't going to help. If you're dependant on strong pain killers to get around then it's time to have whatever op is appropriate irrespective of your age, so don't let the doctors fob you off !. I was back riding 6 months after both my ops, some people go back to riding sooner but I gave my self time to let everything heal and get 100% fit. Good luck, hope you get sorted

this is nonsense physio plays a huge roll in keeping People with dodgy hips going and keeping the hip flexors stretched prevents them contracting so it makes remobilising after surgery a doddle .
I was back riding five weeks after both my ops just got on and rode that parts been simple for me both times .
rehab from hip surgery is ime extremely easy for people that ride well .

 

[wren123]

I've got one dodgy hip that I see a well recommended private physio for, she works wonders, before I saw her I couldn't sleep the whole night due to hip pain. The correct exercises tailored for my specific issues are hard to do correctly but work absolute wonders, well worth the investment.

 

[Charmer91]

I'm 28 with arthritis and a knee replacement already, I find that moderate pain relief helps but doesn't address the issue. I ride in a dressage saddle with blocks as I find this helps with additional movement through the thigh up into my hip. I also do ride long (even in a dressage saddle) but it does take off more concussive actions up into my knee and into the hip.
I had regularly physio to start but as someone else mentioned it mainly help with ROM and improving the muscles around, when my issue is the bone. So I'll be having my hip replaced at some point also! But until then, good pain relief to allow me to enjoy my hobby until a new one is put in is all I can do. I hope this helps!

 

[Asha]

I have a friend who had arthritis in the hip and took to riding side saddle. Also I was told by a go that I had arthritis in my hips. When queried with another go they said I didn’t. I do have a soft tissue injury from a fall. Also I take turmeric. Worth looking into.

ive wondered about side saddle, and its something ive always wanted to try. The price of the saddles looks as painful as the arthritis ! i need to find a schoolmaster and have a lesson and see how it feels. Turmeric is an interesting one, i will look into that. Thanks !

 

[Silver Clouds]

I have a very aggressive degenerative joint disease and had my first hip replacement at 33. I had been referred for surgery at 28 but didn't want to go ahead until I lost mobility as I am aware that there are only so many times you can have the same joint replaced. For the last two years before that replacement I wasn't able to ride at all, this was partly due to pain, but mostly due to the ligaments contracting so much that I had very little movement in the hip. Joint damage was there from when I was 10yrs old, if not earlier, so I did manage to ride for quite a long time before it got to the point where I had to stop.

There were errors made during surgery, so although I have been able to ride again it has mainly due to the fact that the ligaments were surgically severed, releasing the joint. I can't use that leg at all when riding, and find mounting/dismounting difficult, although this is partly because my other hip and one knee also need replacing now. The things I find the most useful are physio (from a specialist), using a VERY high (and stable!) mounting/dismounting block so I literally just swing my leg over the horse from the block, being able to dismount by stepping off forwards (not very Health-and Safety conscious I know) and using special stirrups (I'm afraid I can't remember the brand but will check). A horse that will stand absolutely still is also a necessity for me. I also can't manage a wide horse.

I was massively twisted through my pelvis pre and post surgery, and very concerned about adversely affecting the horse's back, as well as it causing an awful and very insecure position. The thing that I have found makes the biggest difference to me for riding is regular sessions with an Alexander Technique teacher whilst mounted on a mechanical horse/riding simulator. She works on helping my body re-learn what 'straight' feels like, which no amount of physio had managed to do. I expect this would be even more beneficial if I had started it at an earlier stage.

It sounds like you are being very proactive, so hopefully a few changes/adaptations will help you to manage the condition and continue to ride without too much difficulty/discomfort.