Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction and riding.

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Patches

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I'm not sure how many of you are aware but during my last pregnancy I had SPD quite badly. Infact, if affected me so badly that symptoms started at only 14 weeks of pregnancy. Isobel is now 4 years old.

Post birth the problems were compounded as my symphysis pubis totally separated during labour which left me damn nearly crippled. I couldn't even bend down and pick Isobel up from her moses basket. I couldn't lift my legs to get into bed, turn over once I'd been put in bed by Duncan, sit up or sit down without aid. Stairs were impossible too! Not to mention trying to put socks and shoes on, driving etc.

Initially the doctors told me it would most likely settle in time and to go back to them when Isobel was 6 months old if I was still having probems. This I did and I started some physio to help me but the physio's did say my case was quite severe and they couldn't understand why I'd been left to struggle for so long and not had medical intervention post birth before and told me I'd likely suffer some effects for quite some time to come.

Riding was started infact as a form of physio as my physiotherapist was a horse rider herself. She recommended it. I could hardly get on a horse initially as I couldn't swing my leg over that well but as a beginner lessons were pretty slow going anyway which was ok.

I've never been totally free of the pain and I do still have incredible weakness through my pelvis and hips. I can't lift heavy items that I could before and if I bend over to pick something off the floor my symphysis pubis often crunches with a sickening thud. If I walk for long distance I ache awfully and I still can't run in the same way that I could before this happened.

I'm starting to realise that these long term problems are affecting my riding. Toes sticking out for a start but I struggle, infact find it almost impossible, to squeeze Patches on through my thighs. Basically, I don't have much strength at all in my legs when riding. She's quite a wide horse too which probably isn't wise for my problems but she's safe compared to some of the loopy finer breeds I've seen about.

So, my question...and there is a point to this post honestly....will I ever be able to achieve true collection in a horse when I lack this most basic of abilities?

When my friend and instructor rides Patches she gets her going so well but I just cannot, for love nor money, use my leg and seats in the way I need to in order to replicate, even slightly, the collection, impulsion and engagement that she does in her.

So, I'm wondering...is it fair of me to ride Patches when I'm not doing her any favours in her schooling? I just muddle along dreaming of greater things. Surely after 4 years things shouldn't still be like this.

Last time i mentioned it to the doctor they almost dismissed it as just something that happens to women who have children.
 
altho i dont have what you have, i have very weak legs for someone of my age. When i went to the doctors to have tests on my knees (i have athritis in both of them) they did strength tests on my legs and found that they are both extremly weak, especially for someone who does as much exercise as i do.

Also when i lie flat on my back my legs cant lie 'straight' they go out to the side so my feet are on their sides if you see what i mean - this makes it hard for me when riding to keep my toes forwards.

however my position and strength are coming, and luckily i find riding from my seat and through my back easy. However my legs do 'flap' at times, especially when they get tired as i obviously tire quicker due to my weaker legs. But ive been told that even tho ive got something wrong with my legs there is no reason why without lots and lots of practice that my leg position will be as perfect as i want it to be (i want to eventually compete GP level in dressage). it is just going to take me longer than some to get my legs who i would like.

so the moral of my waffling is that im sure after time that you will be able to achieve what you want to. x
 
I think the moral of your "waffle" is that patience is indeed a virtue! Thanks P_G for the words of encouragement and good luck with your knees. Sounds painful too.
 
How frustrating for you.... is there any other exercise that could help build the strength through your legs - light weights for example? It may feel like an uphill struggle at times but when you look at what some of our paralympic riders achieve you have to believe that anything is possible. If your horse moves off the leg well (which you can teach) then you should be able to achieve collection through your back and your seat - with practice. Don't give up!!
 
She is far more responsisve to my lighter aids now and I can jab with my heels when she's being particularly nowty...usually a nappy moment when hacking etc.

I guess I will get there in time, it just frustrates me when I feel a sense of failure in my abilities.

I hadn't thought of it like that before, the Para-olympians. Puts it into perspective. I'm thinking I need someone else to school her regularly to understand the lighter aids more so. Time and patience, something I'm not that good on! LOL
 
It sounds as though you need to work at building up your pelvic floor, glut and core strbility muscles more to support the pelvis. Also you may find relief with a pelvic stability belt.
 
Good grief! I am so shocked that you weren't given physiotherapy while you were pregnant, and confined to bed or at least told to lie down. Also amazed that Duncan even broached the subject of another child...men have short memories!
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You say Patches is wide, this is possibly not going to help. As for leg aids, I am sure it is perfectly possible to school a horse to respond to very slight of almost non-existent leg aids, but it will take time. I believe racehorses are not schooled with leg aids. I am sitting here wincing, you poor thing!
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Oh Sooty, you really should have been batting for me when I was pregnant. Physio spaces are very limited and as I didn't work, I wasn't considered a priority for treatment whilst pregnant, or indeed immediately post natally.

Doesn't help that I'm quite stoical at times and wouldn't admit just how bad the problem was. Had the doctor witnessed me trying to get out of the car and up the step in to the surgery they'd have seen the depth of the problem.

Midwives weren't very supportive either. They just thought I was roly-poly from being large (I mean large bump) not struggling from medical reasons so much. I could cope before she was born. It was afterwards. As is common with my problem, my pelvis gave way during labour and Isobel was born very quickly, suffering from shock. She needed resuscitating, poor thing.

When I eventually got given the physio I needed, they were shocked at how I'd been left to struggle alone and that I hadn't even been given crutches to help me get about.

As you say, now you know why I really don't want any more and why I was so upset that Duncan suggested another child. I was told that I'd likely end up in a wheelchair whilst pregnant and recovery could be even longer than it is proving to be now. I just couldn't bear to go through the pain again. Child birth was nothing....at least that was over in a few hours. I endured months of pain, frustration and depression resulting from this condition. I will not put myself through that again, nor the family who suffered as a consequence of me being more or less sidelined for the best part of a year.
 
Pelvic floor not a problem surprisingly. The rest is a little shabby though. I seem to have developed a weakness through my back as a result of the pelvic ligament damage.

I know it'll get better eventually, it's just there is no real way to rest and aid recovery of such an important body structure. I can't take to my bed for months on end or stop being a mother to the children.
 
You love riding Patches! She has to absolutely adore you....considering all the things you have managed to "convince" her to accept......you both obviously have an incredibly strong bond. Who cares if your toes stick out; it doesn't matter. So long as you are not in pain when riding her and she enjoys going out with you then that is all that is important.

Sounds awful though and you are a trooper to keep going without complaint.
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That is just so awful, but unfortunately like so many NHS shortfalls these days, it is down to money. You are obviously made of tough stuff! I know how hard you work on the farm, and can imagine being incapacitated in that way must have been doubly frustrating. As Tia so rightly says, who cares if your toes stick out? School Patches so she goes how you want her to, regardless of what may be deemed 'correct'. I could give you a big hug, cow pooh or not!
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I'm not a trooper...I don't believe in suffering in silence when it comes to bending Duncan's earholes!
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I just get frustrated by comments such as ... open your hips up more, more legs and turn toes in. I have tried over and over to explain to various instructors about my SPD problems post birth and they just dismiss it completely.

This is why I like Harley so much. She's become a friend and she knows and understand when I say I can't do something because I physically can't and the difference to me being a wimp and not wanting to try something new....like jumping!

Patches is a star to put up with me at times, I know she is. Bless her. You're right though Tia, thanks for reminding me, she DOES think alot of me doesn't she, to accept all of the things I've desensitised her to over the months.
 
Aww thanks Sooty.

I'm over the whole toe sticking out thing personally, it's history. I just wish I could achieve the collection and get her engaged better. I'm getting there one small fairy step at a time. I'm just at a stage where I'm questioning if I'm expecting too much from myself and whether I should just enjoy Patches in a simpler way.

It's not easy for her to work in a classically deemed "correct" manner as it is being heavy set through her neck, jaw and shoulders.

As for the NHS. My actual Doctor laughed when I first mentioned how upsetting it was that I couldn't get my wellies on!!!! I know it sounds funny but the point was I couldn't balance on one leg or lift my leg up high enough to get it in wellies. Perhaps I did push it though when I mentioned I couldn't climb five bar gates either!

I still have issues balancing on one leg so I know my stability within the pelvis isn't what it should be. It used to grind awfully when I walked. Painful to hear and painful to experience too.....makes me cringe thinking about it!
 
I'll say something that I said to someone else many moons ago; make of it what you will.

A horse has no idea whether you are riding "correctly", a horse only understands what you are teaching it, in the manner you teach it.

You could ride totally cack-handed and in a very unethical riding position - your horse won't care providing you have taught him that this is the natural riding position for you and him. If he understands you and you understand him then you both understand! The only problem would come from someone else riding the horse in a "correct" manner, then the horse would assume that they were the useless one!
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P.S. I know Patches is a she, but "he" was the word I initially used. And you are a trooper! As Sooty says, you work damn hard on the farm, you have a large family to care for and all your horses.......pretty admirable to me.
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Thanks Tia. That sums it up really.

I couldn't get a canter transition for yonks as Patches is the type where you have to ask, she doesn't offer it freely. However, I did a lot of schooling the latter part of summer and I have to admit that when I eventually got it, it's stuck as I can still get the canter transition now (and I schooled Wednesday for the first time in months with the field being wet), in my own little style. So, your theory is clearly correct. She is learning to understand my aids, be they right or wrong.

Over time that will only improve I'm sure.

I needed to hear that Tia, thank you so much.
 
I had a short period of this condition towards the end of my last pregnancy and it was agony so I can totally sympathise with you
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Mine cleared up probably about three months after giving birth but very occasionally I get that awful twang that you talk about and you are right it is sickening
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I too was going to mention about the paralympians. (sp?) We have a local RDA here that held a day when you could go and watch some of the Paralympic riders do their stuff. They really were amazing. One girl had no feeling from the waist down and had only one feeling hand too
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If they can do it I am sure you can. Sometimes I think we get too hung up on doing things the 'right' way. As long as you enjoy your horse and he knows what you want him to do then I don't see a problem.

Maybe Pilates would be of benefit to you? Whatever though just continue enjoying your neddy and don't worry about your toes!
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Oh you poor thing, that sounds so painful - makes me wince. Echoing what everyone else has said, do your own thing and don't worry about what people think. I was just thinking my friend's daughter who has a weak leg always uses a schooling whip on that side. I was wondering if riding with two schooling whips when your legs feel weak would be any good?
 
I get confused with one schooling whip at times! LOL

I do use a schooling whip though and do flick it gently to keep canter etc as that's when my weakness is more apparent. I can get the transition, but Patches is the type of horse you have to keep pushing on else she breaks stride.

I often feel guilty to keep referring to my schooling whip, but I do only lightly flick it, I'm not talking a hard slap with each and every time I need a transition.

Trot transitions are so light and easy now. I gather up the contact. cluck with my tongue and gently nudge and she's off. She never used to do that before so easily so I'm sure it will all come with time.

I just question whether I'm expecting so much to be so impatient about it.
 
As far as I see it, you are happy with Patches, and Patches is happy with you. She has come on in leaps and bounds, and you have achieved some amazing transformations with her, so I don't see your problem.

So your toes might stick out, and you can't school her 'perfectly' - join the 99.9% of other less than perfect riders out there.

You are happy with one another and well matched, and that's all that matters in the end.
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Yep that's how I use a schooling whip - light flicks - it seems to have a much better effect on my boy than pony club kicks! It sounds as if Patches is coming on really well and I'm sure that she will improve much more in time. It's really frustrating when progress is slow.
 
I know you're right Dubble, I really do.

I just feel so bloody useless for the most part when I know in my hear of hearts I should be progressing more than I am. I'm soooo inpatient and I heap so many expectations upon myself. I realise I'm not disappointing Patches, she's happy with her lot in general I think. It's just me who I feel I'm letting down.

I want to achieve something and right now I don't feel I am.

Grrr!!!! New Year's Resolutions.......DO NOT PRESSURE YOURSELF TOO MUCH!!!!!
 
Good idea! Maybe riding is a bit like fashion - we are all concerned about looking right in ront of other people, and not making total t*ts of ourselves. However, I have seen pictures of you riding, and you look perfectly normal. You may think you ride like a bandy monkey, but you certainly look perfectly professional! I know how depressing and tiring being in constant pain is, and your time with Patches is precious time for yourself to get away from it all. I am so glad you have found a sympathetic instructor - now enjoy yourself!
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Firstly, DONT let the doctors dismiss you. If you have a problem they should listen and help you.

Keep on with the Physio, it WILL get better, having worked with physios in head injury rehabilitation and seen people go from 100% wheelchair dependent to 85% wheechair dependent, or one girl, go from nearly dead, severe brain injury to walking again with the help of a physio, physio aides and home stretches I know it will help, it just takes time. And I am just like you, not the most patient person in the world.

Also it is perfectly fine to set goals, just think hard about them. For instance for me, a realistic goal right now is to just slow the canter tempo down, unrealistic is to want to complete an Elem or Med stressage test, if I set that as a goal I'm putting extra pressure on myself which causes stress and anxiety, although that can be benificial up to a point, once an optimum is reached performance then starts to decrease. So if you are constantly worrying about unrealistic goals you will acctually ride more badly than before!!

Maybe a goal would be to get the canter transitions sharper if Patches is beginging to learn the aids YOU can use, the book method shouldnt matter, just carry on as you are and don't worry.

Also don't worry about mentioning the schooling whip, I'm sure you are using it only as needed and correctly. Remember in sidesaddle a long cane is used to replace one leg entirely!
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Good luck hun
 
ah ditto! Its taken me 7 years to get back to normal!! - probably not quite as bad as yours sounds but I suffered for a good few years and only now am I finding strength in my legs again!!

I am sure people just think I rode like a muppet, but I knew I was doing ok. Keep perservereing.....spurs are useful too, depends on the horse obviously but it saved me a lot of pain and horse began respecting my lower leg more!!
 
OH THANK GOD!!! Not that I want to hear it's taken you 7 whole years to get to normal
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Just thank God that someone else has been down the same road and I'm not alone!!! Thank you for replying.

I did think about spurs but I'm not a competent rider. I've only been riding three years. I worry about my toes pointing out, does that mean my heels would dig in and the spurs would make contact too often? Mind you...it could be what I need to make me strengthen up and turn toes in!
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I'll have to ask Lucy if she ever rode Patches in spurs in the four years that she owned her. If I go down that route, I'd obviously take advice from my instructor first to see if she thinks my lower leg is stable enough to ride with spurs.

I just can't explain to people who don't know, how weak my legs are. Here's an example......

When sweeping leaves up on the yard how often do people (who are sweeping alone) use the inside edge of their foot to push piles of leaves up onto a shovel for disposal? That's one of the things I cannot do. I can't push my legs inwards when they meet resistance......sort of like a horse shaped resistance for example!
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Hi Patches,

I think there are more people than you realise with disabilities of some kind or other who manage to ride ok, even if it is in their own particular way. I don't know a lot about your problem but I feel really sad for you that you weren't taken seriously by the doctors and midwives, especially since you say that as you didn't work you weren't considered a priority! What rubbish that is. I've never pushed my way to the front of a waiting list because I had an office job. Don't think it works in reverse somehow.

I feel really miffed about this for you because of my own experience. I tore my Achilles tendon and the GP just dismissed it even though the pain was severe and I couldn't drive etc. I found out since that I need expensive and painful treatment to put it right. All of which could have been avoided if the GP had listened to me.

I hope that you have the treatment you need now and you sound like you are doing a fine job with Patches so be heartened by your progress and determination.
 
Thanks Capondeville.

I sympathise with your problem too. I turned my ankle over at the beginning of September. Despite hearing a distinct pop and not being able to put my heel anywhere near the ground the Doctors didn't even x-ray it and said it was just sprained...take two paracetamol and wear a support.

Four weeks later when I still couldn't put heel on the floor properly and had to drive with leg lifted up in the air, I went back to the doctor who told me, from the swelling, that I'd clearly damaged tendons/ligaments and the only option now open to me was to wait and see how it settles.

Totally, totally understand your pain there! My ankle isn't as bad as yours but boy does that still ache a few months down the line and it's still swollen behind the outside ankle bone. I ride strapped up with vet wrap but rising trot is still a killer! Can't flex the foot up or down much.

I tell you...us women do put up with an awful lot don't we?

As for the physio. They did put my name down for it but the physios can only see so many clients in a day and realistically people who needed to get back to work are more of a priority than stay at home mums. I accepted that at the time but hadn't realised how long my name would remain at the bottom of the queue.
 
I think you're amazing!
I had a bad pregnancy, not trying to out do your problems (at least mine were mainly over once the damn thiong was out - sorry, Billy!!), and I'll not be having another either!
Patches doesn't care about your wonky bits, you are what she knows and loves, so worry not and go on riding the beast!!
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You're just biased because I keep these.....
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Seriously though, thanks everyone. Your words of encouragement have helped immensely, not to mention putting things into perspective. There are people far worse off than me who manage to ride perfectly well. I'm just impatient. I'll get there eventually.

One day, Patches and I will look like this when we're riding together (this is my friend riding her)
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Ooooo...so many pictures! I do get carried away!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'm soooo inpatient and I heap so many expectations upon myself. I realise I'm not disappointing Patches, she's happy with her lot in general I think. It's just me who I feel I'm letting down.



[/ QUOTE ] I think you've just said it all C.

You don't need to prove anything to yourself, or to anybody else, you really don't.
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