Back Pain Among Equestrians: Tips on Treatments and Prevention
A lot of equestrians have experienced back pain at one point or another. Whether it's from a significant fall, an injury, or just being too long in the saddle- equestrian back pain is common. This article will discuss three tips to help equestrians with their posture and riding, so they can continue enjoying their favorite sport!
The equestrian sport has many different disciplines, such as dressage and jumping. Depending on what your equestrian discipline is like or if you're a casual rider- the way you ride could affect your back! A common mistake riders make in general when riding horses is sitting crookedly; this can be fixed by making sure to sit evenly on both sides of your seat bones. This equestrian riding tip is basic yet crucial and will help you prevent back pain and improve posture!
Another common mistake equestrians make is not warming up before a ride properly. Without proper warmups, riders are more likely to suffer from muscle soreness or, even worse- injuries like sprains or strains after a ride. To avoid this, make sure to do light exercises such as walking, running, or riding a bike before getting on your horse! You will notice a difference in your stamina too!
Along with exercising and warming up properly- practicing good posture is another way to prevent equestrian back pain. It's easy for riders to slouch while sitting for long periods of time. Make sure you are always sitting up straight instead of leaning forward or backward!
Bad equestrian posture can also come from poorly fitted saddles, especially if the rider has recently grown in height. If this is something that may be affecting your posture- it's time for an equestrian saddle fitting! Learning to identify you are slouching or having back pain because of your equipment is necessary.
Equestrians that are into competitive equestrian sports are more likely to experience back pain than casual riders. Still, it can happen to anyone who spends too much time in the saddle. It's important to know that equestrian back pain is treatable! If you have been experiencing equestrian back pain for a while, talking with your doctor or an equine chiropractor can help alleviate the discomfort and get rid of it quicker than going untreated.
Riding horses is fun and makes people happy, but back pain can ruin the experience. Nice and easy, here are those tips again:
- Make sure you sit evenly on both sides of your seat bones when riding. Do not lean forward or backward while sitting on a horse.
- Warming up before riding helps prevent injuries like sprains and strains. Incorporate light exercises like walking or running before getting in the saddle.
- Make sure your equestrian equipment fits correctly, so you don't have to worry about any unnecessary aches after rides!
If you have been experiencing stubborn back pain for more than two weeks, talk to your doctor or a chiropractor to get the pain fixed. Taking proper care of your body will help you continue doing what you love for as long as possible without any setbacks!
