So sore!

[oldie48]

Having ridden for the first time for nine months, just a hack in walk and trot, I am so sore. I'm really quite shocked, both my thighs were sore, the right one is particularly bad. TBH I've never had sore muscles from riding, is this old age or is it common when you haven't ridden for a while. I've booked a half hour lesson on the flat at a RS for Wednesday, hopefully the soreness will have gone and if I start riding more regularly it will get better. Are there any rubs that might help, thinking fo getting the voltarol out!

 

[Cortez]

It's quite normal, unfortunately. If you have ridden before, then your body "knows" what to do but your muscles don't have their former tone and so damage themselves performing the action. Beginners don't do quite as much damage as the muscle doesn't 'remember' and trains itself slowly as it learns the action through repetition. A hot bath with Epsom salts is the best remedy.

 

[tristar]

deep heat roll on is excellent

try some stretches and warm yourself up before next time

no i don`t think its old age a few more times and you`ll be fine, just don`t overdo it

 

[Carrottom]

Maybe a couple of Ibrufen would help, not if your using voltarol though.

 

[PurBee]

I recall thigh soreness from first rides after breaks from riding....walking around like tina turner for a couple of days afterwards! Doesnt help if it was a chunky round cob either as the hips get cranky too!

yoga would help before and after....there’s great beginner videos on youtube...aswell as epsom baths as mentioned.
Hope you feel relief soon!

 

[Skib]

I sympathise. Much the same happened to me. But dont worry by my 5th ride everything was back to normal.

I couldnt ride for 13 months due to Covid lock down. My first ride back with a staff member on a very short walk trot hack left me completely and utterly exhausted. The following week we went a bit further but both my ankles caved in and my first canter (3rd ride) I was truly scared I might slip off sideways.
Due to stormy weather I then had an hour in the school which very oddly felt happy, so I think a RS school lesson might be just right for you.
I hope it ends as well for you as it has for me. I was just so happy this week. I keep telling OH how happy I am which drives him a bit crazy.

 

[oldie48]

I sympathise. Much the same happened to me. But dont worry by my 5th ride everything was back to normal.

I couldnt ride for 13 months due to Covid lock down. My first ride back with a staff member on a very short walk trot hack left me completely and utterly exhausted. The following week we went a bit further but both my ankles caved in and my first canter (3rd ride) I was truly scared I might slip off sideways.
Due to stormy weather I then had an hour in the school which very oddly felt happy, so I think a RS school lesson might be just right for you.
I hope it ends as well for you as it has for me. I was just so happy this week. I keep telling OH how happy I am which drives him a bit crazy.

I was going to book a two hour hack at Jill Carenza's but thank goodness I didn't! I too was exhausted, I went over to walk Rose in the afternoon and I could barely keep up with her. Anyway, I'll do as you suggest and build up slowly, glad you are back on form.

 

[Skib]

I went over to walk Rose in the afternoon and I could barely keep up with her.

That was another shock. That after my first ride, (I let) the mare tow me back to her box and her hay net. Like you I was too tired to keep up with her. But I used the only remedy I have (Mark Rashid), brought her straight out of the box again, walked a circle and then back in. I also (with her) enter the box in the BHS way, circling her round to face the door way so she doesnt get to touch the hay net till we've come full circle. She hasnt towed me since. I expect her to walk on a loopy lead rope and she does.
You probably dont need to do all these things, but as I ride a horse ridden by a lot of much younger riders, I do.

 

[oldie48]

Skib, she's been on box rest for weeks now and is very well behaved considering but she has a huge walk!

 

[Skib]

Skib, she's been on box rest for weeks now and is very well behaved considering but she has a huge walk!

Sorry, I should have remembered. I hope the walking stage of her recuperation goes well. For both of you.

 

[teapot]

Tiger balm - it stinks but works wonders!

 

[Muddy unicorn]

Due to lockdown I sat on a horse for the first time since December on Friday - it was only half an hour of walk, trot and a couple of very brief canters but the muscles in my inner thighs are still complaining very loudly today! My riding was very stop-start last year because of the various lockdowns and each time I restarted the first time was painful afterwards but after 2-3 weeks my body had got used to it again. Epsom salt baths and Pilates/stretches are your friends ?