| Back pain is a problem for over 95% of the population. | | | | A rider with poor core stability and posture will most |
| This is a favorite topic of mine. I get many e-mails from | | | | likely not improve their back UNLESS they are taught |
| people all over the world asking for help. So many | | | | core stability first, and then HOW TO apply this in the |
| riders are told to give up riding by their DR. or Chiro or | | | | saddle. Riding can in this case be bad for your back. |
| physio or even family...because it is bad for their back. | | | | Any person taking up or participating in ANY sport |
| HORSE RIDING IS NOT BAD FOR YOUR BACK. | | | | should train core stability before expecting too much |
| The job of looking after a horse IS bad for your back. | | | | success. I practice it, I teach it, and I totally recommend |
| The key to controlling back pain is core stability. | | | | training core stability for controlling back pain in any |
| * As a Physiotherapist I treat back pain for a living. | | | | person but especially in horse riders. |
| * As a horse rider I suffer back pain. | | | | THE JOB OF LOOKING AFTER HORSES is bad for |
| * I understand the mechanics of the spine and how it | | | | your back |
| works. | | | | This is hard on any person. There is much repetitive |
| * I understand the heavy labor required to look after | | | | heavy lifting with throwing and twisting as well. Mucking |
| horses. | | | | out yards and carting feed all is bad for the back. |
| * I know the muscle energy required to ride with skill | | | | Simply lifting a heavy saddle onto a big horse strains |
| and good posture | | | | the back. |
| Now to clarify what is bad and what is good for your | | | | Again I strongly recommend training core stability |
| back. | | | | (pilates) for any person lifting on a regular basis. The |
| Sitting on a horse with good core stability and posture | | | | use of a back brace and a sack trolley can reduce |
| requires strength and good spinal alignment. This is | | | | the impact on the lower back joints while working in |
| good for your back. (Same posture as sitting on a ball | | | | the yard. Getting smarter with the way you do things |
| at the correct height). Asking the horse to perform | | | | is the key to minimizing the strain on your back while |
| movements on command requires much more | | | | on the ground. The next time you hear horse riding is |
| strength and posture control. This will strengthen the | | | | bad for your back...tell them IT"S NOT you've got good |
| whole body. This is good for your back. A rider with | | | | core stability and love it. |
| good strong core stability will in fact strengthen and | | | | For further information on strengthening the core |
| improve their back while riding. (of course don't fall off). | | | | muscles as a horse rider look at Applied Posture |
| I'm talking about dressage, flat riding not jumping racing | | | | Riding. |
| or rodeo) | | | | |