Ridecamp: Re: [RC] there is no way that young and small a body can ride astride a horse that many hours without damage

> You have no way to know that.  The damage may not be
> apparent to
> casual observation, and may not show up until later
> in life.  There is
> plenty of evidence that some elevated and
> long-duration physical
> stresses are harmful to young bodies.

> >Do you have any medical studies to back up YOUR
> claim?

I'm sure that there are a ton of people here that
started riding at a young age, but I'm going to jump
in here. I'm just now turning twenty, started riding
at 9. When I was 13 I was diagnosed with arthiritis in
my knees/ankles from sports injuries. I never played
any sports, only horseback riding. I have arthiritis
in my shoulders, wrists, and have other long term
effects from riding so young. I didn't start out
riding endurance, instead hunter/jumper and dressage.
I spent about two hours a week riding for the first
few years, working up to ten to fifteen. IMHO it
probably damages most kids musculoskeltal <? spelling>
system to have the stress of endurance riding (or
*any* competitive riding) placed on them that young.
If I had it to do over I know I would have not riden
as much or as hard! Just my 2cents worth!

Stephanie


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