Ugh, my back

[gertie06]

First of all, my back was never great to start with. I’m sure it has nothing to do with 30 years in the saddle ;).

My jumper, whom I’ve owned and loved for 7+ years now, is KILLING my back. His canter is very…um…unusual. You can’t really ride him properly in a half seat because he tends to get forehandy. So I just continue sitting that canter, slowly killing my spinal cord.

I’ve tried a seat saver, but it did not help. I’m trying some new, softer saddles later this week.

Have others dealt with this? What options do I have? Would chiro/accupunture help me if I’m just going to continue riding this horse?

Thanks, all.

[Bogey2]

@gertie06

First of all, my back was never great to start with. I’m sure it has nothing to do with 30 years in the saddle ;).

My jumper, whom I’ve owned and loved for 7+ years now, is KILLING my back. His canter is very…um…unusual. You can’t really ride him properly in a half seat because he tends to get forehandy. So I just continue sitting that canter, slowly killing my spinal cord.

I’ve tried a seat saver, but it did not help. I’m trying some new, softer saddles later this week.

Have others dealt with this? What options do I have? Would chiro/accupunture help me if I’m just going to continue riding this horse?

Thanks, all.

try Chiro, mine saved my riding life! My back problem was higher up though. When my back starts to bother me again I have a set of exercises I can do that relieves my back.

[Foxglove]

Were you posting about a horse with a sore back issue, I would ask you to have a vet thoroughly check him out, and work with you to set up a program to resolve the issue by strengthening the back–assuming it was fix-able.

Same with you. Have your back checked by an MD --ideally a specialist. If everything is normal, set yourself up for success with improving the strength in your back --again, this could be done with the help of a PT, human trainer at a gym, or perhaps easiest to start on line with gentle back strengthening exercise.

[Redlei44]

How’s your core? Working with a personal trainer to developing core strength (for the first time in my life!) has been critical for me. Many years ago, I also found the Professionals Choice brace to provide some relief.

[wsmoak]

Check with your doctor about what is hurting, they might want to do x-rays to see what is going on in the spine.

If you can get a referral to a physical therapist I would start there. They will assess how you move and where you have pain and may offer things like TENS. Mine did a dry needle thing with electrical stimulation that finally fixed a muscle nobody else could get to, kind of under the shoulder blade.

And they will give you a set of exercises to do. Here’s the thing… you actually have to DO THEM. I seem to have a problem with this, so my next advice is…

Look for a personal trainer with NASM certification to continue the work. That course is college level anatomy and exercise science.

If you can find a chiropractor you like and trust that may be an option. The one I liked here retired and the next one I talked to wasn’t wearing or requiring masks so… NOPE to being in a small room with someone breathing on me right now.

[RaeHughes]

If you can find a Fascial Stretch Therapist in your area, GO FOR IT! I have a good friend who is one and I credit her with being able to walk and ride without pain. Otherwise, pilates. Cause, as my therapist says, if your back is hurting, it could be anywhere - mine is usually my tight hamstrings so a quick stretch and off we go again… often to stop down the road and stretch again.

[MsM]

A GOOD PT was the best help for me. She released a lot of tied up muscles and helped me literally straighten up. And, she gave me exercises that really helped and I still do to this day. She was impressed that I had lower, mid and upper back issues :winkgrin: I still will throw things out of whack from time to time (usually while doing something minor!) but so far I have been able get them to mostly resolve in a week or so. And Celebrex is my friend…

[RedHorses]

In March of this year my back had gotten so bad that I couldn’t stand, sit or walk for more than 15 minutes at a time before changing to sitting, walking or standing. I started with a chiropractor at the end of March and just did an Endurance weekend completing a 25 mile LD on Saturday and a 12 mile mileage on Sunday. I camped on site and did everything myself with nothing more than ibuprofen.

It was neither quick nor direct to get from April Fool’s to Labour Day, and I’m not 100%, but I am so glad I found a chiropractor willing to take me on as an emergency case during lockdown.

I chose to start with a chiropractor and full exam with x-rays because my pain was not affected by the amount or type of physical exertion I did on any given day and I felt very stiff and imobile in my lower back.

[anon68314200]

Mary Wanless rider mechanics.

[rubygirl1968]

I usually spend more on a chiro if I ride regularly than I would a custom saddle. A lot of trot work and/or canter (what little I’ve worked on) are the killers.

[HereComesZach]

Sooooo I’m in a similar-ish boat, in that I’ve been riding for 30-some years and I have a new horse with a tracky canter, but for me, I threw my whole back OUT a few months ago. I’ve been doing physical therapy, and going to the Chiro and masseuse, and one big takeaway for me is that I really needed to work on my core. Now, prior to this, I thought my core was in ok shape, I mean, I ride, I do yoga, I do a few sit ups and boats… But no. You know all the advice you hear from other trainers in the warm up ring? “Shoulders like a princess!” “Stick your tits out!” etc? Turns out that my ‘posture’ was just arching my back forward and I really had no core back muscles. My physical therapist assures me this is common with women.

You may want to start with a chiropractor but also look into a new workout routine. Also, if you can get your hands one one… a tens machine has changed my life.

[Xanthoria]

I sat on a sales horse a few weeks ago and my back went into spasm after just a couple of minutes of cantering. There was some thing about the way he moved… No thanks! It took 2 weeks of doctor visits, muscle relaxants and exercises to get it feeling OK again. I now also won’t ride horses root and yank and lean on you, not only because it’s rude and no fun but also it hurts my back pretty quickly.

What I learned from all those doctor visits was that unless you have arthritic changes or actual damage to your disks etc. and the problems are caused by a muscle spasm, muscle relaxants that Drs will prescribe off the bat really aren’t much use.
What worked for me was a heating pad - ice was no good - multiple times per day, and doing stretches multiple times per day. You really cannot do these stretches too many times per day! Add in Advil - I was taking three 200 mg gelcaps four times per day - and I started to feel some relief within a day or two of starting that regimen. The pain didn’t return afterward.

these are the exercises I used: https://youtu.be/hyhTY9VyhMA

[FjordBCRF]

I whole heartedly echo working to make sure your core strength is up to snuff. I have a connective tissue disease and for a while, was really having some pain problems in my back that riding wasn’t helping. Focusing on core strength has made a world of difference and I also swear by foam rolling my back. I have to keep a regular strength training routine for my health issues and I started incorporating short daily gentle yoga practices into my day to help with anxiety/stress which has also helped with core and things not getting too tight.

[seriously1]

Take a look on youtube for yogawithadriene. She has a ton of different routines -many for core, psaos and yoga for equestrians!

[FjordBCRF]

@seriously? - She is my go to!! I have had her paid subscription for almost a year and its totally worth it.

[no.stirrups]

My suggestions:
1.) Fix whatever is making the horse have such a weird canter. Probably he has some underlying issue.
2.) Strengthen yourself, as has been mentioned. My own back pain was finally diagnosed as weak glutes causing my back muscles to pick up the slack and become overworked and painful.
3.) Check the balance of your saddle. Even a tiny bit out of balance will cause your back to have to compensate in ways that can quickly become painful.
Good luck! Back pain is no fun.

[Malda]

@FjordBCRF

I whole heartedly echo working to make sure your core strength is up to snuff. I have a connective tissue disease and for a while, was really having some pain problems in my back that riding wasn’t helping. Focusing on core strength has made a world of difference and I also swear by foam rolling my back. I have to keep a regular strength training routine for my health issues and I started incorporating short daily gentle yoga practices into my day to help with anxiety/stress which has also helped with core and things not getting too tight.

Another vote for working on core. I have a terrible back: scoliosis and lordosis. Sitting up straight on a upright stationary bike, planking and lifting weights helps a lot. But I am getting older so I’ve pretty much stopped sitting the trot. The right saddle also helps a lot.

Good luck, I know how you’re feeling.

[Sfbayequine]

Pilates and Stubben saddles with the biomex. I’ve had three back surgeries…

[seriously1]

@FjordBCRF

@seriously? - She is my go to!! I have had her paid subscription for almost a year and its totally worth it.

My osteo says there is a HUGE difference in my lower back from doing yoga.
I love her. I am going to get the paid subscription after I move at the end of October. New house has a yoga room!

[ayrabz]

ALL great input and suggestions. One thing (unless I missed it in the thread) I didn’t see was what kind of saddle are you riding in? And just because it makes me laugh: everytime I see a response to seriously? I read it exactly that way to begin the response. BUAHAHAHA.