Tightness in hips causing problems riding youngster, any tips?

N

NooNoo59

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 December 2011
Messages
1,174
Location
kent
Visit site
I am a 60 year old short and wide girl, trying to lose weight atm and also doing regular exercise but my hips are very tight when riding. I am finding this is affecting my youngster in his ability to turn as my inside leg is too far forward and therefore I am blocking the shoulder. He is a wide welsh section d currently in a wintec as he is changing shape a lot. Thanks
 
I have this exact problem, it is caused by a larger problem with my pelvis. The only thing that keeps me vaguely 'sound' and without pain in the saddle is a good Osteo session every 4 weeks. The Osteo should also then give you exercises to do between sessions to keep them as supple as can be.

My tightness sometimes gets to the point where my horse begins to strike off on the wrong lead on the left rein, so completely understand who frustrating it can be.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TPO
Pilates definitely helps and I used to go each week before lockdown. Sadly I dont know when the classes will resume. As above hip stretches are also good. Put your foot up on the lower rail of a wooden fence and push forward and backwards also try and lift your leg over the back of a wooden kitchen chair, have something behind you like a cupboard or side unit so that you dont fall backwards. I do this each day for 10 times on each leg then on the fence rail and it really does help. Good luck
 
I’ve been doing 10 minutes of yoga every morning. I’ve never done it before and I’m just following free videos on YouTube but I am already much more supple in my hips and back.
 
I do various forms of yoga/pilates/yogalates. The place I go has now developed an online range of classes. I find some of the slower classes very good for gently stretching hips, anything that has yin or restore in the description.
 
I very very love Yoga with Adriene on YouTube. I'm not sure how effective it will be compared with pilates but it's free and instantly accessible, plus she encourages you to work at your level. I think she has one specifically for 'equestrians' (is that an American term?) and she definitely has ones for hips!
 
I would recommend a visit to osteopath and also sign up to a yoga class. YouTube videos are great but be careful not to over strech if you haven't done yoga before. A class setting is best at first for a teacher to check your alignment.

I used to have very tight hips as a result of a lower back injury. The first thing the osteopath asked me was "do you do horseriding?". He said he saw lots of women come in with similar problem of tight hips from horseriding and not stretching. Hopefully some stretching exercises will help for you :)
 
I would normally agree with doing a class to get basics but exercises classes in person are a long way off. The one I belong to have all sorts of beginners stuff and how to guides just focusing on one posture to get the basics so look for something similar.
 
I am really genuinely sorry, but I sold the horse for a narrower one and have never been in pain or twisted since.

.
 
I would urge caution with some of the YouTube videos: I'm a dance teacher and seriously I wouldn't give the vast majority of what I've seen to a fit 19-year-old let and certainly wouldn't try them myself as an "older rider".

Have a look at the "Fit to Ride" website; Jon Pitts is an elite performance coach and he has some good stuff there which might be helpful.
 
NooNoo59 said:
I am a 60 year old short and wide girl, trying to lose weight atm and also doing regular exercise but my hips are very tight when riding. I am finding this is affecting my youngster in his ability to turn as my inside leg is too far forward and therefore I am blocking the shoulder. He is a wide welsh section d currently in a wintec as he is changing shape a lot. Thanks
Click to expand...
I promise you that what I'm about to say is a serious suggestion. ---- Have you tried riding side saddle? I had arthritis in my right hip and had got to the stage were I couldn't ride on my astride saddle but had no trouble side saddle (I'd been riding S/S for about 15 years and had a saddle). There are specialists who hire out side saddles
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top