Does horse riding make you ache?

Riding a horse at any age takes a lot of energy. When you return to riding or learn to ride when you are older, believe me, it can hurt! Just getting off that horse is in itself a major feat, involving a jump some distance from the ground - not good for ankles. And when you're on the ground, suddenly you've turned into John Wayne!

So is there anything that can be done to avoid the pain?

If you haven't had any major aches and pains before you begin to ride, there shouldn't be any major effects on your body when you start - at least not once you have become fit. Getting fit is the key to overcoming the pain barrier.

When I first had my horse, at the age of 50, it was a huge shock to the system, even though I had ridden regularly twice a week for over a year before I bought her. Suddenly, it's not just all about riding - the majority of my time spent in the livery yard is mucking out, lifting hay nets and water buckets, and walking up and the yard doing a hundred and one other jobs. Just doing all the things you need to do to look after your horse means that you have to either be or become pretty fit.

For a long while, I was so tired I felt as if I was walking around in a fog. The only other life experience I could compare it to is having a baby. It is relentless in terms of time and energy. No sooner have you been down the yard, mucked out, ridden and turned your horse out, gone home, had a cup of tea and a sit down, and it's time to go back and get her in! Takes up all of your day, and all of your energy.

But it does get better. All that mucking out and walking about eventually makes your fitter. You get quicker at the things you have to do to look after your horse because you get into a routine and it all seems easier. Take things slowly. Pace yourself. Get yourself fit slowly and don't try to do too much all at once - you'll get there in the end, but hopefully without doing yourself an injury in the process!

Arthritis

Before I started riding I had the odd aches and pains, usually if I'd been gardening or decorating. Since I've been riding, I have noticed my hands and feet are achier, especially when it's cold. I usually carry heat pads in my pockets to warm my hand up if I have to - they are hard to use yhough as I'm usually so busy down the yard I forget about them. Probably they're most useful to have a home when you're resting and have time to become aware of all your aches and pains. On the whole, I try not to focus on aches and pains, and have managed to keep them at bay by using the Alexander Technique.
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