ridecamp@endurance.net: Exercises for rider who is twisted

Exercises for rider who is twisted

Ann Hatfield (keithr@nocdc.bc.ca)
Fri, 9 May 1997 09:58:54 -0700

This winter the lack of riding due to deep snow, middle age, commuting in a
car with poor seating position, sloth, and less time in the gym (poorer
stomach muscle strength, etc.) all coalesced into back trouble for me and
thereafter back trouble for my horses. I noticed that I was having to
straighten the saddle every few minutes , shift it back to the centre as it
,and any pad under it, was drfting to the right, as I put in some miles on
the roads in early spring. I also found that the sore muscles in the left
side of my back were becoming worse during the first half hour and then
loosening up somewhat, a horrible feeling as riding has never "given" me a
sore back before.

I asked my trainer/instructor to watch me and diagnose and she said I
appeared twisted to the left. I know that my right leg now drifts far
forward and my toe turns out much more than it should from the dirt on the
backs of my pants. She didn't have anything specific to work on to "fix"
it however. I also notice that my riding, my seat, is much worse than it
has ever been; it's bad enough to suffer creeping middle age but to
actually go backwards in ability is truly horrible!

The chiropractor said that 3 of the 4 joints in my pelvis are not moving
and the one that is is not very free. Therefore the lower back is doing a
lot of moving to make up for the ridgid pelvis, ergo the back trouble. I'm
to get x-rays to see what is going on inside but in the interim I'm doing
all the stretching, yoga, sit-ups etc. that I can and this is helping a
bit. The chiropractic work and some accupressure also have made a
difference.

A saddle that fits reasonably, a good pad, less work on circles, and lots
of riding in 2-point has helped the little Arab's back and he is regaining
his original pleasant attitude toward being ridden (you might remember my
whining in earlier posts about his sore back and that he had taken to
bucking (me off) as soon as I put foot in stirrup and not being able to
find a saddle that fit). So he is improving at a satisfying rate- but I'm
not!

Please! if anyone has exercises to suggest to help me strengthen and
straighten I would very much appreciate them. The professionals I've seen
thus far (a) do not understand how the problem affects the horse (b)
suggest not riding which sure as hell is not an option for me! and (c) have
not had specific exercises to give me.

I sure need some of the specific expertise you folks can offer with your
knowledge of human and horse physiology and interaction.

Thanks in advance.

Ann
And the little guy who didn't go for meat, Riff
and the semi-retired mare, Gitane, "What is this woman's problem, after all
these miles she is riding like this?"

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