Didn’t read all of the replies so someone may have mentioned this…you CAN rebuild bone…I took Boniva for several years with good results and the past two years have taken Reclast …its the annual IV med. I have dramatically improved and think that in another two years I will no longer have even Osteopina…I just take it really easy so I never fall off.
Pony and birdsong - that is very good and encouraging news!
Pony, I hadn’t seen the hip protection undies - but as you said, can’t imagine they would offer any protection at all in case of a fall from your horse.
I briefly contemplated getting a protective vest to ride in, but for now I don’t think I’ll do that.
I’m very motivated to do what I can to get some density back…I already had a pretty good diet, but am concentrating even more on calcium rich foods. Exercise regularly, but am adding more weight bearing stuff to the routine and will be adding medication also. Just not sure which one at the moment.
In the meantime, I’m being cautious while riding. Not hard to do since I’m just returning to the saddle after being off since Dec. with a broken leg. 
But I know as soon as I get back into the swing of things I’m going to want to jump again. Even if it’s smaller stuff for a while.
osteoporosis/ fracture
Well, I’ve been on fosamax and actonel, and bone density went from osteoporosis to osteopenia - but then I had a nasty fall and fractured 3 vertebrae. I’m on the daily injectable med Forteo and having no side effects- but it’s a shot a day for 2years. It may make my bone density normal though! There’s just no way to avoid a fall. As my ortho pointed out- I could slip on ice in my driveway- so suggested minimizing the liklihood of falling, and not taking extra risks. Life’s got risks no matter what, so it’s about the choices. I’m getting back into shape after my fractures, and actually feel little enough pain now that I think I can ride again…also take at least 1000 mg ca++ per day, with vitamin D. Best of luck!:yes:
I just had the misfortune of finding out that bone density scans are not always accurate if you have arthritis. Unfortunately the scan can count arthritic bone spurs as bone and can give a false reading. :eek:
[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;4755069]
Hmmm…legs don’t just break…sorry to hear that - not good at all. One day on the hunt my horse got down to roll. It was Spring and I guess her coat was itchy. I rolled off her on to my side when she was down and broke three ribs from what was very much a non-fall. The doctor said it was probably how I landed with my elbow at my side, but it was the osteo, I am sure. Since then I’ve broken three more (car accident), a broken sternum (horse with no manners pushed me to the wall), and a chiro adjustment broke another…
Re the bone scans: I have had five in all. First three showed worsening,
fourth one went up a bit (I hoped it was the Actonel), and fifth one (recently) showed a further 6% minus.
Sometimes I wonder if the calibrations or technicians don’t cause a variance.
Don’t know. It is something to be taken seriously with lifestyle changes, but we can’t change what we grew up with.
I’m riding a young horse right now (a 7 y.o homebred, but she is l7.00 hh) and while she is a good girl, is very powerful. I wish I had a small TW! I only jump the odd log now but mainly because I didn’t keep up the jumping and seem to have lost desire (otherwise known as guts?)
It is just that I’m not about to give in. I don’t expect to ride like I used to, but the horses are my life and what get me up in the morning. There may come a day when I feel just too brittle, but I hope I am a long way from that yet.
When you feel great it is tough to think of breaking.[/QUOTE]
I am still in shock. I train (part time) at a hunter jumper barn and ride some green horses that are pretty safe. I’m 59 and was just diagnosed with osteoporosis. Last week I just had a bunch of tests at the Mayo Clinic and this Wednesday I see my doctor for all the results. My T score is -3.1 on my lumbar spine. Your post especially got my attention. I was told if I fall I’ll have a spinal fracture and be in intense pain the rest of my life from a doctor before my Mayo Clinic week. All I know is that I don’t want to quit riding and have to decide how much risk I’m willing to assume.
[QUOTE=Liz006;4803233]
Well, I’ve been on fosamax and actonel, and bone density went from osteoporosis to osteopenia - but then I had a nasty fall and fractured 3 vertebrae. I’m on the daily injectable med Forteo and having no side effects- but it’s a shot a day for 2years. It may make my bone density normal though! There’s just no way to avoid a fall. As my ortho pointed out- I could slip on ice in my driveway- so suggested minimizing the liklihood of falling, and not taking extra risks. Life’s got risks no matter what, so it’s about the choices. I’m getting back into shape after my fractures, and actually feel little enough pain now that I think I can ride again…also take at least 1000 mg ca++ per day, with vitamin D. Best of luck!:yes:[/QUOTE]
I was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis with a T score of -3.1 in my lumbar spine. I part time train basic dressage at a hunter jumper barn currently riding green horses. They are relatively safe but still green. What scares me as much as a spinal fracture are the drugs. I wish the specialist I was seeing was also a horseman. I would appreciate a diagnosis from that perspective. He has talked to me about Forteo (the name makes me think of a warmblood stallion name :lol:) but I’m not sure our insurance will cover enough of the cost. A previous doctor wants me to go on Fosomax. I’m glad I found this forum to read.
[QUOTE=trina1;4757110]
As a doctor who diagnoses and treats osteoporosis, and as a rider who jumps and shows, I would recommend continuing riding but trying to reduce the risk from falls. Anybody can fall hard enough and break a bone, but a fall from a horse can icnrease the risk of a fracture, and that risk is increased in someone with lower bone mass.
Increase in weight bearing activities such as walking can increase bone mass and muscle strength, which can then help reduce fracture risk. Riding does not really count as an exercise to increase bone mass as it is not weight bearing, but good for muscle strengthening and balance. I would recommend taking steps to reduce your fall risk during riding, whether than means riding horses less likely to spook, buck, rear, safter over fences, etc. Other activities around the barn, whether it is picking up heavy buckets, bales of hay, or just a fall can also cause fractures in those with very low bone mass. It really depends on your T scores and changes over time in your bone density scan, as well as other risk factors including family history, medications, prior fractures, smoking, body size to determine your individual fracture risk.
I would disagree with the statement that osteoporosis affects balance. The link is likely more due to age related changes in balance than the bone properties.[/QUOTE]
If a 59 year old woman patient came to you with a -3.1 T score who is a good rider (train basic dressage at a hunter barn on pretty safe though green horses) with excellent balance would you change what you said above? A recent xray shows a compression fracture in my T-12 vertebrae. I just finished a week of tests at the Mayo Clinic and will have the results 3/18. I wish my doctor actively rode. I know falling is a part of riding. The first doctor I saw (not at Mayo) freaked out when I said I want to continue to ride. I’m trying to get a perspective on this disease and if I should continue to train or ride. It is heartbreaking to think of not riding or training. How I wish I had had a bone scan at 50. I have no risk factors for the disease except perhaps diet. My parathyroid is normal though even more complete testing was done at Mayo.
I wanted to be a re-rider
Until I learned that I have a marked scoliotic curve in my spine, lumbar and sacral, that floored me!
I manage a large orthopedic practice and one of our docs is a spine specialist. I asked him to review my x-rays (taken on a whim by my request) and I had the distinct impression that he was aghasted!
He recommended a regimen of calcium and vitamin D twice a day, which I have been doing religiously. I have also increased my dietary calcium intake.
As well, I have lots of weight-bearing exercise in the course of taking care of two TBs on a daily basis and lots and lots of walking.
I have been humbled by the images of my x-rays and the warnings of worsening osteoporosis. I feel vulnerable now where I never did before. A simple trip to the shit pile to dump the wheelbarrow, on snow and ice, has me walking with extreme caution.
In the past I’ve taken kicks, bites, stomps without lingering effects, but I know that I am at risk for serious inyury now and it scares me. I do NOT want to be incapacitated in any way. That’s not a new fear, simply a heightened one. Does this mean that I can’t entertain the desire to ride again?
Count me in with the newly diagnosed. I’ll be 59 in a couple of months and apparently moved moved from osteopenia to osteoporosis since my last scan–I don’t know my T score and don’t think I want to. I know it will be better if I don’t fall off my horse, and I try to take all the precautions that I can, but I’m going to continue riding. Today for example I was thrilled to watch my horse sail over a three foot oxer (his first, he’s just learning, I’m so proud of him! anyway…:)) with someone else riding. I will stay with the crossrails and tiny verticals and let my friend jump him until he is an old pro. If it’s cold and windy and my boy is spooky coming in from his field, he gets longed before he is ridden. I’m just a little more cautious, and I figure that’s the best I can do for now.
osteoporosis and riding
I have not read every post so forgive me if this has already been addressed. but giving up riding isn’t going to prevent a fracture. When you have osteoporosis you can break a hip getting out of your car or stepping off the sidewalk. The best prevention is impact work, treadmills, walking and weight lifting. You can still build bone even over 60. Forget the bike it actually leads to osteoporosis, research on bike riders even under age 30 show bone loss. You need the impact to build stronger bones. Vitamin D may be more important than calcium although it seems calcium doesn’t hurt. There is no decent research to support calcium claims.Get a blood level on Vit. D. Get your 30 minutes of sun on exposed skin EVER DAY! No sun screen.
So you might as well ride because even if you do nothing but sit in a chair and drive your car you can still have a fracture from severe osteoporosis.
Enjoy life, ride a sane horse and do your walking.
[QUOTE=walkers;5480547]
I have not read every post so forgive me if this has already been addressed. but giving up riding isn’t going to prevent a fracture. When you have osteoporosis you can break a hip getting out of your car or stepping off the sidewalk. The best prevention is impact work, treadmills, walking and weight lifting. You can still build bone even over 60. Forget the bike it actually leads to osteoporosis, research on bike riders even under age 30 show bone loss. You need the impact to build stronger bones. Vitamin D may be more important than calcium although it seems calcium doesn’t hurt. There is no decent research to support calcium claims.Get a blood level on Vit. D. Get your 30 minutes of sun on exposed skin EVER DAY! No sun screen.
So you might as well ride because even if you do nothing but sit in a chair and drive your car you can still have a fracture from severe osteoporosis.
Enjoy life, ride a sane horse and do your walking.[/QUOTE]
Well said! I’m debating whether I should still train green horses anymore though I doubt I’ll give up riding. I was thinking how annoyed I’ll be if I have a fracture because I avoided riding and did something else–like ride my bike on our area’s bike trail–when normally I would have been out riding. I rarely fall anyway but…my diagnosis and cautions from doctors is sobering. Still thinking it over. :yes:
A growing form of exercise is Osteo-fit - classes are given by trained fitness trainers with an extra, and on-going, level of knowledge pertaining to osteoporosis from Women’s Hospital (here in BC). We have a wonerful class leader, and very pro-active ladies - some of them nearly 90!!! It focusses on flexibiity, balance, range of motion, strength training, co-ordination. It does not do cardio, but I find it helps my riding since I feel stronger and looser.
I recommend trying to find a class near you.
I’m 33 and have had osteopenia for at least 6 years, when I first started getting bone scans. I have been on prednisone since I was 15, which is most likely the cause. I am definitely more cautious about the horses I ride. Due to my rheumatoid/autoimmune disease that I have, any sort of injury or shock to my system can cause a major problem, so I’ve also gotten the “don’t fall off” lecture. I just make sure that the horse I’m riding isn’t too fresh, so sometimes I’ll do a little free lunge to get any bucks or hoo-hahs out, and then I’ll get on.
This is an especially timely discussion for me because I had a hyperactive parathyroid gland removed on 2/11 and saw the endocrinologist for a follow-up this morning. My last bone scan showed a little additional thinning from the prior one. But the Dr. said that I could reverse it because of the effects of the hyperparathyroidism (it robs calcium from your bones), if I keep up with the megadoses of calcium and vitamin D. She chuckled when I mentioned riding and falling off, but said that I am not at a point where I am at increased risk of fractures. Also, I do not need any other treatment at this time, i.e. no drugs.
The parathyroid problem was found during a routine physical when my blood calcium was too high. I thought I was asymptomatic, but realized after it was over that I was very fatigued. So my horse got a 2-week break which he must have really needed because we have both come back bursting with energy and having more fun.
I am 62, and this getting older business is bothering me some. I really feel for those who have osteoporosis and the dilemma of what to do about riding. I have a wonderful 16 y.o. Paint gelding who’s not quite a steady-Eddie because he’s spooky. I’m a mediocre rider and have been at it for 11 years now. I took me a while, but I can stick with him now, and he’s gotten to be pretty blasé about most things. At my age I’m glad I can get on and off!
Have had 3 (yea, I know) hip replacements and have osteopenia and take raw calcium (stones aren’t in the diet) and D and HYALURONEX and still ride. For those with real problems, please invest in a crash vest as it will protect ribs and spine and hip (?) in a fall. I have quit breaking horses, sorta.
a few thoughts to share on this topic
I have had osteopenia for 6 years, I am now 58. I’ve had 2 falls in that time, neither has resulted in any damage.
Have taken Fosomax as directed by my OB/GYN on and off in these years. Bone scans show hip and spine going up and down.
Orthopedic doctor that I am seeing for unrelated foot problem told me last month that studies by a doctor at Uconn showed that osteopenia patients taking Fosomax (alendronate) showed a higher incidence of chalkstick fractures. However, the same was not true with patients with osteoporosis.
Making an appointment with an endocrynologist to determine whether or not to continue on Fosomax. Hopefully, I can make a decision about continuing the medication after seeing her. I know that many people have a difficult time taking this med but I have been lucky and have absolutely no side effects whatsoever (and trust me, I’m a wuss).
And yeah, why not get the vest? I bought one last year and am not having any trouble with it. Of course, when it’s ninety and I’m having a hot flash, I may be singing another song…a tank top and a bulky vest…scary!! Good thing I ride at home.
Those on Fosomax, etc., is it true that it slows the sloughing of CA and thus causes brittle bones later on? That’s scary. I found that the raw CA was so much better than the other OTC brands that gave me kidney stones (OUCH!!!)
This is a different slant of the same issue. My mother has osteoporosis, at age 58. I’m not sure of scores, but she said that with the drug she’s on it might reverse to osteopenia. She also has other health complications due to heavy smoking - emphysema, and had a stroke 2 years ago. Recently she asked me if she could get on my old, very steady, horse just to walk around. She hasn’t ridden since she was a child.
Should I let her? It would be so good for her state of mind. My old man is a saint, but I’m quite aware that no riding is without risk. I would hate for something to happen. But the riding really might help her get some self confidence back.
osteoporosis
To all you women who have been “diagnosed” with osteoporosis, I recommend visiting the following website: http://saveourbones.com
It’s a real eye-opener! I stopped taking Bonviva after reading this, and am trying to change my diet accordingly, among other things, trying to avoid–as much as possible–milk and dairy products. Surprisingly, milk is about the worst thing we can take!
I got onto this natural method after breaking my foot by a slight stamp on the ground (just when about to place my foot in the stirrup, the mare backed off suddenly) which, I feel, shouldn’t have been enough to break the bone if it were strong after all those years of medication. Turns out, yeah, the bone is DENSER but also more FRAGILE! So who cares about bone density if it’s going to snap so easily? Check it out, you may be amazed.:winkgrin:
