What kind of injury would stop you riding?

L

Lill

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 November 2005
Messages
5,673
Location
Kent
Visit site
If the Dr said to you not to ride would you listen? Or ride anyway?
laugh.gif
 
After shattering my foot on a stirrup after a somersault fall off a 17.2hh, the surgeon give me the whole lecture on:

'with young men its motorbikes and with young girls its horses' talk, and told me about how many people he has seen paralysed or seriously injured after riding accidents.

Happy days eh?

I took me plastre cast off after 2 weeks to ride again - i must admit it hurt very much and i regretted it (also my foot has never been the same again). There will always be a good reason, so as long as hes not saying 'give up totally' then try and follow advice. I paid for my impatience!!
crazy.gif
 
If it made my riding ineffective, or was ridiculously painful!

My horse has fallen on my ankle twice and busted the ligaments from my knee to my toes, but I could still ride him albeit with no stirrups.
However if I hurt my back I cannot ride properly and it is pointless trying to school!

Hacking out I usually do whatever hurts, but then Henry is sane and bombproof.

I don't think I would be riding the new one if I didn't feel right!!
grin.gif
He is a tad sharp!
grin.gif
 
I stopped riding because it was so painful that I physically could not walk or move if I did.

Thankfully now I can ride however I have to set myself very strict parametres, as I don't want to get back to that stage again.
 
I was back on after 2 weeks when I broke my wrist, For the 1st 2 weeks I to ride! was begging them to put a light cast on as it was really heavy, I was told to wait for at least 6-8 weeks AFTER I had the plaster of!! I had it on for almost 8 weeks! I would have gone mad!
When I tore ligaments in my ankle, I was back on after a few days even though I was still on cruches had to have a very gentle leg up!

It would take something very major to stop me.
laugh.gif
 
Think it would be more the long term consequences that may put me off rather than the pain. For example if it could cause serious problems for my future health or if it held serious risks if something bad happened again (eg paralysis), after another fall or injury.
 
I think if i was totally unable to get on the horse or stay on the horse. After i had my stiches removed from my stomach (after having my spleen out) i was back on after 2 weeks (before i even went back to work) it was a bit sore as it was still swollen but i could hack out at a walk.
 
I ride when I possibly can - if my back goes, I will ride unless the pain gets too much (even with all the painkillers I take). This is against the advice of my Chiro, but hten if he had his own way I wouldn't ride at all!

I fractured my kneecap at Christmas and couldn't ride for a while. As soon as I could get back on though I did - even though it was still painful and got worse after riding.

I've broken my collar bone twice and been back riding after a couple of weeks. I've also broken fingers etc and just ridden with one hand.

Sounds really stupid when you read it back, but I hate not being able to ride!
 
After a car accident and 2 weeks at home, I couldn't bare not being able to see my horses, I could hardly walk and breathing was really difficult but I still bared it and drove up, I had panic attacks because I couldn't breath (trying to walk across the fields) and got myself trapped in the stable with my old TB (box walker/weaver!) and he knocked me flying, the pain was horrendous and I didn't have the strength to even unbolt the door, luckily my OH came up because he know how bloody stubborn I am, it was totally my own fault and I was in floods of tears because I felt useless which then depressed me for months, I couldn't ride for about 3 months I think.

If your doctor says no riding then please don't, not sure what injury you have but its better to heal up properly and safely because you might end up putting yourself or your horse in more danger.
 
I carried on riding when I broke my knuckle. The physio told me not to as I couldn't afford to fall on it - so I took that to mean just don't fall off!
However, with something more serious I think I would be much more careful, especially if it meant I could do more damage in the long term.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Was just wondering if people would carry on regardless or not....

[/ QUOTE ]

I always thought I would. However in my case the pain was unbearable and it's been a year today since that started, so you get used to not riding as much. I don't have a choice but to be careful, if I'm not there's every chance I'll need to have an aritficial hip fitted and I'm 25.
I have to think about 20 years time, not today.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Was just wondering if people would carry on regardless or not....

[/ QUOTE ]

I always thought I would. However in my case the pain was unbearable and it's been a year today since that started, so you get used to not riding as much. I don't have a choice but to be careful, if I'm not there's every chance I'll need to have an aritficial hip fitted and I'm 25.
I have to think about 20 years time, not today.

[/ QUOTE ]

What happened?
crazy.gif
 
I had pain in my hip, I had an op in February, there was lots wrong however the main thing was that the cartilage had come away from the bone, so it was bone on bone, hence the pain! They have repaired it as best they can and it just depends how strong it heals to how long it will last. Also obviously I have to try not to aggrievate it.

Riding isn't ideal as it's all through your hips, but it's what I want to do so I've been told just to be sensible
smile.gif
 
I gave up riding for about three years after an A & E doctor told me to - a young horse threw itself on the floor just after I got on. Damaged all the ligaments in my right ankle and bashed my face on a parked car (still have numbness in my cheek - face cheek
wink.gif
)

However this was all made worse by the fact that I take Wafarin (an anticoagulant) for a genetic blood dis-order...

After three years of general misery I got another horse and haven't looked back since! (Even doing a spot of BE when horse is sound!) My own doctor's advice was that it was okay to ride so long as I didn't fall off
cool.gif
 
If a doctor told me that I would compromise my wellbeing/physical capabilities if I were to continue riding, then I would take serious notice of him. I would then go away and do my own research, and depending on my findings, I would either stop riding, as he suggested, or continue to ride but with caution. There is absolutely no way I would be stupid enough to risk ending up in a wheelchair (for example) just to satisfy some wish/need in me.

I have tonnes of horses here and sometimes I ride loads, often a number of horses every day, and at other times I don't ride for weeks. Just having horses is nice for me, if I couldn't ride them anymore, I'd still have them as I enjoy all the other things about horse ownership (I'd just have others ride them), so it wouldn't be a great hardship for me to give up one tiny part of this ownership.

The way I see it, if I am not able bodied, then bang goes ANY enjoyment I may get from horses; so for me, it would definitely not be worth the risk.
 
I was told just before the summer by my Doctor not to ride for a while - I may have given the horse a day off but that was it
tongue.gif
. I (quickly) weighed up the concequences and as the long term was uneffective by me not riding in the short term I contined as I had before
shocked.gif
. I had only gone in for more pain killers, not abuse about my choice of sport
frown.gif
(which is what I got really).

I know what my dr was telling me had some groundings but not in the middle of the season with fit horses
blush.gif
 
Nothing.

I broke my foot in several places and they had to wire it (horse slipped over on me) and was worried that since i couldn't ride for ages it would make me nervous (i used to be very very nervous until i hit about 15 and didnt want to go back). I sat on my friends pony for 10 mins a couple of weeks after i'd had my cast on just in the stable. Once my cast was off i was still on 2 crutches and my first steps with 1 crutch were 5 mins before i went out for a hack on a quiet horse. I hacked out every week for maybe 2 months before major spinal surgery.

I was on the operating table 8 hours having metal rods and screws in my spine and was told absolutely no exercise especially riding for a year
frown.gif
. i was out of hospital in 10 days, in bed for 3 weeks. 5 weeks after the op i was again hacking out (in agony but worth it) on a ploddy neddy and i was riding properly in 3 months and jumping in about 5 (i know how naughty i am and how irresponsible it was but i was so depressed having to give up everything fun in my life.) I did stop jumping for another couple of months after i nearly fell off tho.
blush.gif




grin.gif
 
I would only "not ride" if I physically couldnt, if it was something like a broken bone.

If I had had internal surgery such as hernia op or hysterectomy then I would listen to the doctor.

With tendon and ligament injuries I go with the theory, if it hurts you are doing more damage so would adjust accordingly.

Riding a strong horse after an elbow break actually enabled me to get much better movement in the long term. I was told not to ride for 2 years! No chance!
grin.gif


IMO the doctors should advise against anything that could put you at risk. If you then decide to take that risk that is up to you. But dont expect the NHS to bail you out!
 
If the doc said never to ride again I'd probably listen to them, especially if it was just the sitting on the horse that was the problem. I like riding, but its not essential in my life - my health is
crazy.gif
. Even when I broke my leg I was told not to ride for 6 months, and I was good and didn't even sit on a horse for the whole time. It was a choice between riding and risking shattering the bone if I fell off again, or just not bothering - easy decision
laugh.gif
 
When I broke my wrist I carried on riding - the cast protected it!

I had a very sore knee just before a major competiton this season, so I visited a sports physio - it was useful. She told me what it was (chrono malacia patallae or some such), but the main thing she told me was as it wasn't a soft tissue injury, it wouldn't get worse with use. I took that as a green light to dose up on ibuprofen and go for it!

I have to say, my knee is fine now. If I had been warned not to compete, I am not sure what I would have done. I am ashamed to say that with a fit, sound horse I would have gone to the competition (it was a biggie!) and dealt with the consequences later. I am old enough to know better, but that is my gut feeling, knowing myself.

Sensible answer - listen to your doctor and maybe seek a second opinion from a sports physio. Mine diagnosed the underlying weakness causing my problems and gave me exercises to correct it, so providing a longer term (ibuprofen free) solution.

A
 
my doctor said not to ride for 3 months after I fractured my spine. I think I lasted 3 weeks. Although I did take it easy until the 3 months were up.

My physio in hospital picked up the copy of H&H by my bed, sighed and said "if you knew how many spinal injuries I deal with that have this BLOODY magazine by their beds... I guess it is pointless telling you to take it easy right?'. I liked my physio LOL
 
Having never injured myself seriously enough to not be able to ride I can only assume I would try my hardest to continue riding.

I had an operation to insert metal rods up either side of my spine (same as somethingorother by the sounds of it) when I was 14 & at the time I was told 6-9months off riding. I was a good girl & didn't ride for 6months, mainly 'cos my parents wouldn't let me, but I had a lesson booked for the evening of my 6month check with the consultant & there was no way I was not gonna ride that night whatever he said. I get quite a bit of back pain now but it doesn't stop me riding as I think I might as well do as much as I can now in case I get to the point where I can't in the future.

I think if I ever broke a bone, etc I'd just have to see how bad the pain was. I'm lucky 'cos my boy's quite chilled out & would happy hack for a month or two if necessary.
 
I've had a spinal fusion op and been told not to ride for 12 months. I've put my mare in foal so I'm not tempted back in the saddle too soon. My Consultant has said after the 12 month mark my back will tell me what I can and can't do in other words if I can ride and have to pop an extra painkiller then I will. I have in the past ridden with slipped discs and didn't enjoy it! Yes there's a risk of causing damage if I fall off in the future but that's a risk for anyone getting on a horse. It's all about minimising riskd I won't jump anymore and will ride sensible horses. Mustn't forget that riding is good physio and actually strengthens muscles plus it's great for mental wellbeing.
 
Hmmm I am officially an idiot....I rode 4 weeks after a hysterectomy (I think I sat on and walked around the school after 3) and I also rode in a sling when I had an ac rupture joint in my shoulder (basically more painful and less mobile than dislocation). Told you, Idiot!
 
I think if the docs tell me not to ride for so long, then I wont ride for so long!

As result of a jumping accident, I popped ligaments in my ankle and my right hip 'pops out' of place as I ride (mainly when I do lots of walk) which then means I have to stop whatever I'm doing and no matter where I am to try and pop my hip back into place as the pain is so unbearable! I can't wear any shoes that dont offer my ankle full support, I can't walk for long periods of time, I already have arthritic changes is said ankle (I've only just turned 21!) and the bloody thing randomly gives way!
IF I had listened to my doctor and not ridden for said number of months I was told not to get on I wouldnt have these issues. Yes, I went to the physio they told me to do, but that alone wasnt enough.

I now regret so so much not listening to the docs. By the time I'm 30 I'll be so knacked I'll have to scoot round everywhere on my behind!
 
( bit late chacking back this thread)

Yikes psycho_pony- that's terrible. I dont know if i would ride if it was something i knew caused problems often. I know i was stupid- i'm not advocating that anyone should get back on when they've been told by a doctor or physio not to. I know if i had fallen off (probably upto about 8 months) i would have been in a lot of pain. I did take things a bit easier than beforehand. However at that time my brother was also diagnosed with leukemia so i was spending almost every day in hospital with him and i HAD to do things to keep myself happy. Sometimes mental welbeing is as important as physical.

heh, i know im that late no1 will probably read this now- but its here in case anyone does.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top