Slipped disc and owning horses....good or bad combination?

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Denzel

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I have recently slipped a disc in my spine. L5, apparently the most common one to do, although I am quite young to have done it at 24.
I've also had to take my horse off of working livery as he has started playing up, so he is now on DIY.
Do you think that mucking out is a good or bad thing for my back? Some say bad as I might be twisting. Some say good as it will strengthen the muscles supporting my back.
Obviously I'm not riding at the moment (not just because I'm taking enough codiene to dull the responses of an elephant!) but I am long lining and lunging as these dont seem to hurt too much and apparently I'm supposed to keep moving.

Does anyone have any experiences with slipped discs and horse care?
 
I have had 2 slipped discs in the past, as well as a couple of other issues with my back.
Basically i find mucking out to be pretty hard, and it hurts my back alot. Bending and twisting are not good.
I certainly havent given up my horses though, i just have to be careful.
I do pilates , which is great. Ive just started acupuncture, which i seem to be having good results from.
I ride when my back is feeling good. Most of the time my back us better when im riding ( i think i work on my position and posture more ).
If my back is too painful i lunge or long rein.
I think the answer is working on your general fitness, then adapting your horseriding as needed.
Kx
 
I would focus on building the muscle through gentle exercise and would get someone else to do the mucking out for a while. All that bending and twisting won't do you any good. What have the doctors said?
 
I have a horse and have lumbar scoliosis and 2 herniated disks...not the best combination but with a great osteopath ive gone from thinking i could never ride again to owning my own :)
 
CarnivalPleasure said:
I have a horse and have lumbar scoliosis and 2 herniated disks...not the best combination but with a great osteopath ive gone from thinking i could never ride again to owning my own :)
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Good on ya!! I think there are a lot of us on here with bad backs, albeit mostly older ones of us and we have all learnt to manage them to allow for riding and I too find riding not painful but mucking out not the best so try and avoid while you're healing. Agree with pilates and general fittening and strengthening of core muscles to support the back. Good luck to everyone in pursuing our passion despite our ailments!
 
I slipped a disc a few years ago - what agony! I just woke up one day after a drunken night out and couldn't move. I had to put the horse onto full livery for about six weeks - fortunately the yard I was on at the time was able to do that. As a result of the disc, my back has never been right since.
I make sure that I used a long handled shavings fork to muck out which makes it easier and do some stretching exercises every time I get home when I have ridden. But be aware, that you will probably have some form of back back permanently now. Good physio helped me as well.
 
Sitting here at nearly 60 having had a ruptured disc all I can say - is make sure that you allow your back to heal BEFORE you start mucking out and riding. I didn't and am now suffering with constant pain.

Ask phsio for strengthening exercises so that you keep your back muscles well toned. I ruptured my disc at 15yrs old and then the treatment was to be put in a plaster jacket for several weeks, take it off and Bye! No follow up treatment! I battled for many years until I was taken to a Chiro who relieved the pain for the first time in over a decade. I go regularly and always feel better after.

I have owned one or more horses at a time since then and also worked with them for many years. I still have three - one who is stabled at night - I muck out with care and have found the more active I remain the easier it is on the pain.
 
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I to slipped a disc at 24 then again at 27 (same disc)my back has never been the same, I still go to physio on a weekly basis. I am unfortunately going to require an operation as the disc is so badly damaged. But I refuse to give up the horses, to be honest keeping active and fit definitely help. I go to physio on a weekly basis and do strengthening and strengthing activities.
I find mucking out the worst as someone says I always use long handled tools and use the hydr8 bag to fill my water. When my back is bad I find it hard to bend so people at the yard pick out Rosie's feet etc. I lunge when I am very bad as I tense up when I am sore. Nothing will stop me riding and I have been told by my consultant that riding will help my core muscles. As someone said be careful doing to much in the first few weeks.

It will get better unfortunately it is very painful
 
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