Share horse week 3...pitchfork fatigue???

[little_critter]

Well I've had my share horse for 3 weeks now - mucking out every night.
What seems odd is that the last 3 days my right sholder has become very sore while mucking out - I have to pause several times to let it recover.
I'd have thought that if it was 'due to using new muscles' it would have hurt on day 1 and I'd have gradually built up strength and it would hurt less and less.
Seems odd that this is getting worse the longer it goes on.
Does anyone else have this problem - can I get RSI mucking out?!
On the positive side my riding is improving and we're gradually working out how to communicate with each other.

 

[Snowysadude]

... But could you have strained it mabye doing something else and then the same muscles are used whilst mucking out so it aches - or did you over exert it one night taking all the wet out ? But being serious hope it gets better soon!

 

[Burnttoast]

It does sound a little RSI-y. Try to use your core muscles as much as possible rather than your shoulders to provide lifting power, maybe use tools with shorter handles now and then if they're available so that you're not always in the same stance, and work left- and right-handed - will improve your coordination as well! I'm useless mucking out the 'wrong' way round but I do try as I think it's good for me...

 

[polopony]

It is likely that you have either strained or pulled a muscle.
Hard to avoid really - if we went to the gym, we'd stretch first, but as we don't realise its proper exercise we go straight into mucking out etc, cue the aches and pains. Get well soon x

 

[little_critter]

I did try mucking out left handed today - out of necessity. It was pretty tricky.
I usually ride first then muck out so I'm pretty warm when I start.
Also I wouldn't say the pain is related to lifting too much weight - more the repetitive action of tossing the clean shavings up into a pile.
I'll keep an eye on it and pause as soon as it starts to hurt so I don't do any more damage. Failing that I'll rope my OH into mucking out (fat chance!)