Hey guys, this is my first post and I have a serious issue when riding that ive never had before. It started two summers ago. Which at the time it was approximately 28 degress celcius so I just categorized it as mild heat stroke as both times it happened it was summer.
However, yesterday during my first lesson in about a year and a half and in -10 degrees it happened again. So, symptoms are as follows- light headed - sometimes blurry vision, a nausea feeling in the pit of my tummy.
Yesterday I had to cut my lesson to half an hour so i could sit in the office for 25min with my head between my legs. When I was younger this never happened.
I dont know if im holding my breath or motion sickness?? Anyone else ever get like this? I need to learn to combat these symptoms because I’m not giving up riding! lol
You should see a doctor about that. I had something similar, except I would actually pass out (and did fall off a few times because of it) and it turned out that I was having syncope episodes that were triggered by my blood pressure plunging. My doctor put me on a salt pill and that’s kept it mostly under control.
Definately see a doctor. I knew someone once that got very groggy riding, and they were having an allergy attack that was closing off their airway so they couldn’t breathe!
Agree, this is not something to guess at over the Internet. You could pass out at a stunningly inconvenient time, like driving, and hurt yourself or somebody else. My Dad had low blood pressure and sometimes got light headed when he got too wrapped up in his work and forgot to move around for hours. They put him on the salt pills too, they stopped it.
Had a friend with hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, picked her up out of the dirt a few times. She just had to eat every few hours. So don’t be afraid to get over to an MD, write down your symptoms and the timing.
Sounds like low blood pressure. You could be dehydrated, or it could be more serious. I would personally go get checked out by the doc, just to be safe.
Migraine has symptoms like these. See a doctor.
Agree to see a doctor. I have a similar issue resulting from head trauma that affects my inner ear and equilibrium. I can identify when it’s going to happen, usually, and used to have a prescription for it. It is so infrequent now my doctor says I can take Dramamine to combat it.
But obviously get checked out.
[QUOTE=SillyHorse;7993538]
Migraine has symptoms like these. See a doctor.[/QUOTE]
Absolutely see a doctor, as others have mentioned. I just wanted to add to this that migraine symptoms can occur like you describe without pain. My second thought would be low blood pressure or low blood sugar.
I will echo everyone saying get checked out by a doc! My personal experience- I have low blood pressure but never had a problem with this- until I moved to a much hotter more humid climate. Then I had two episodes where I got so dizzy and nauseous, I thought I might pass out or puke or both. I have to be more careful now in the summer to make sure I drink LOTS of cool water, eat small snacks even when its hot and I am not as hungry, and I even got a white helmet for schooling to reflect the sun off my head a little more. One other thing to consider, have you gotten a new helmet lately? If it’s ill fitting maybe that is contributing to your problem. Keep a journal of when/how your symptoms are occurring and talk to your doc! 
I have had something similar in the past. I found that I wasn’t hydrating myself well enough before or during riding in the summer. I had another situation that had the same symptoms including sudden sharp headache within a few minutes of starting to ride. That turned out to be helmet fit. I had just purchased a new helmet and although it seemed to fit fine, as soon as I started to ride it must have pinched something in my head or neck. Exchanged it and no more problems.
I second dehydration. I now also supplement with Bloks or Gu gummies. If you also get foot or leg cramps, these electrolyte supplements are key. You can get them at Dicks or any running store.
I had these symptoms, heart palpitations, heat sensitivity, and trouble breathing, went to several doctors and found out I had Lyme disease. And I live in Florida…
I would definitely go see a doctor. If you faint while on the horse, its a recipe for disaster.
Thanks guys! I think I’m going to make an appointment tomorrow with my Dr.
It’s easy to pinpoint the episodes because they only happen when I work out (which lets be honest I haven’t done in awhile) or riding. I have had two major falls in the past, not horse related but could be a factor?
I’ve tried eating cereal and drinking water/Gatorade to combat the symptoms. I had many lessons where I wasn’t affected and then yesterday was my 3rd time.
But I’ll see what the doctor says. To think I’d have to give up riding is just heartbreaking and I don’t want to continue to be that student who never untacks her horse because she’s not feeling well.
I really appreciate everyone’s input
Good luck Chrissy! Hope they figure it out and you are back to 100% soon!
Yes see a doctor. I simply have an easily elicited vaso-vagal response and I’m prone to getting overheated . I only had this twice or three times in a riding lesson (never when not in a lesson) although I have ridden in 100 degree weather frequently through out my life. But you do need to rule out a really serious problem.
My guess was going to be low blood sugar too. Also, if its happening when you work out its better to eat something with protein and fat about an hour before versus carbs like cereal and Gatorade (straight up sugar).
Good luck at the doc’s, hope they have some answers for you!
Get thee to a dr…just like Supershorty I started to actually faint (only mine was when I would just stand on my morning commute) and it was from my blood pressure dropping low, dangerously low…all caused by my migraine meds! Now my BP’s back to normal and any lightheadiness is a sign of an impending migraine (it’s like being drunk only not a pleasant).
Not a thing to mess around with! Please see a dr
Just an additional thought here to excellent advice.
This happens to me, but is caused by a combination of dehydration and an out of alignment atlas (c1) and occipitital bone which causes pressure on brain stem.
If you have had any injuries to neck and head, check this out as a possible problem.
I take dramamine and go to bed!
Everyone’s addressed more serious possibilities, but have you made sure that you’r breathing normally while riding? I used to become light headed when I would stop breathing or only take shallow breaths.
[QUOTE=alternate_universe;7996193]
Everyone’s addressed more serious possibilities, but have you made sure that you’r breathing normally while riding? I used to become light headed when I would stop breathing or only take shallow breaths.[/QUOTE]
Agreed! I used to hold my breath on course when I was showing and I would come out of the ring dry heaving. I never even knew I was doing it until I had someone watch me closely. They all assumed the pseudo-puking was due to nerves.
