Riding Technique / Heel Spur

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From: Kate Denisar 
Email: kdenisar@iss.net

I am starting to experience significant pain in my left heel that is most likely the precursor to a heel spur.  It usually hurts after riding for three hours or more.  When I am in the saddle, I relieve the pain in my ankle and heel by dropping my stirrup and rotating my ankle.  It tends to hurt more when walking, when trotting and cantering I don't feel any pain at all.

Within a couple of hours of my ride's conclusion, I am in significant pain - to the point of limping.  The ankle recovers, but the pain in my heel is persistent.  Last night I iced my heel all night, with little effect.  My questions are as follows:

1)  Has anyone else suffered from this and if so - what hurts for pain mediation and for pain elimination?

2)  Is it my riding technique that is causing this?  My left leg is my weak leg.  When I was 10-12 I took hunter/jumper lessons and I tend to really crank my heels down and keep my leg in perfect position at all times - which may not be optimal for endurance . . .

Please respond privately as the e-mail police here at work frown upon employees on lists . . .

Thanks

Kate Denisar and Spanky (finally - something that's not my fault!)
GERA, SE

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Kate Denisar
kdenisar@iss.net