Getting comfortable with RA and Riding

[Trinket]

Hello all,

So I’m still in the middle of finding the right treatment for my new diagnosis of RA (+ Sjogrens + POTS), and I’m second day into my first MTX injection.
(“Safer” Plaquenil after a month gave me severe hives over the holidays, made my lips swell, ER trip, and 50mg of Prednisone now on a taper dose)

I feel tired but otherwise good, and I’m hoping this continues and I see real improvement in symptoms in 1.5-2 months.

As a gift for Christmas and a new years resolution I’m committed to getting back into riding. (Been out with mystery health for too long, rusty, out of shape, and in pain)
What I want to know is: How do you guys stay as comfy as possible?

I have lovely compression gloves for my hands, anything like that tough enough to endure riding?! Gadgets you feel safer keeping on you (Phone is on the list lol)? Devices to bring (Quick-access pill bottles etc Bags with multi-pockets)? :yes:

Anything that helps you keep at it?! I only Trail ride, very casual for now until I build back up some health, slow paced, and always with company! (POTS can cause fainting spells, I prefer to not be alone!)

Not looking for diet advice or magical cures. Just practical things that’s made riding with RA (Or POTS, or Pain in general) easier on you! :winkgrin:

[CHT]

I don’t have RA, but do have something with some similarities. I find the BOT gloves and socks help, and also padded stirrups, or at least wide foot bed stirrups.

You may also want to consider trying different types of reins: the rope gaming reins are likely the easiest to hold.

If you are worried about fainting while riding on the trails, I would consider breakaway stirrups, and making sure your horse has emergency contact information somewhere visible just in case he goes his own way

Consider joining the Inspire Forum for better advice on things you can do to help with your health issues! There are a few riders on there!

[aqhadreamer]

Well I was several years past diagnosis before I was back to riding any amount again. I went from training full time in September 2004 to being unable to walk in January 2005 when I got diagnosed, so I wasn’t a typical case.

I always ride in a helmet now, my balance and skills for saying on have never reached my pre-RA days, so I play it safe and never ride without one (even when showing AQHA western pleasure).

My barn ‘family’ helps me tack up when I’m having a really bad day, they have all my emergency numbers, and know that I have a list of my current drugs and dosages in my purse along with my specialists phone numbers ‘just in case’. My coach knows that when I say ‘I’m done’ It means I physically cannot do any more. The time’s I’ve tried to push though it end up with me in bed for 24 hours trying to work up the energy to get back to daily living.

95% of the time I will not ride an unfamiliar horse, and if I do ride one of those 5% its because someone I trust said it would be ok (coach, best riding friend). Even then, I know my limits and try to stay in them.

I normally have assistance mounting due to my bad ankles, I can’t pick up my right stirrup with out help, and while my wrists were fusing I always wore wrist braces in the barn and while riding.

Saying all this makes it sound really bad… its not all bad! In 2014 I broke out a 3yo on my own and put AQHA points on her in her first show season! I just have to know what my ‘new’ limits are.

[_Teddy]

Feel free to email me I can go in depth and help you learn about adaptive tack

[Trinket]

Thank you all! The adaptive tack is perfect, anything to make it easier (like larger reins!)

@aqhadreamer: I’m learning my new normal, and new limits already, and I already hate it! LOL, it’s not even that bad yet… I’m early in diagnosis, and we caught it early still, so we’re hopeful we caught it in time to slow it down enough to keep some semblance of normalcy even if the disease activity is considered moderate to high. Pain is not yet my biggest symptom, fatigue is, and lack of grip and strength! (My hands will let go of things…my brain says hold, my hands say “NOPE!”, and my wrists and elbows seem to be following!)
It’s hard explaining to people that my “normal” is so changed, because they see one thing (A 26 years young, happy-go-lucky girl!), and I’m feeling something completely different!

Thankfully everyone at my barn is super helpful, and offer to help me tack up if I need, and help me mount and dismount! I’ll also never be alone, so if I’m done, or something goes wrong, I will have help at all times! (And emergency contacts on hand, on my horse, and on my phone! Easy access!) Helmets are a must for me with or without RA haha, and I’m thinking of a vest as a possible good addition!

@Teddy: I will message you!