If you have ever wondered if horse riding was bad for your horses back then read on. The short answer to this is ‘Yes! it can be!’ which is why you must take precautions to ensure your horse’s back remains strong and healthy.
How could horse riding damage your horse’s back?
Horses really aren’t designed to be ridden….
Horses have evolved over thousands of years as wild, prey animals. Domesticating them has not changed their general conformation and really, they have not developed to carry the weight of a rider. We ask a lot of our four-legged friends; to run fast over long distances, to perform repetitive movements over and over, to jump high obstacles, and to do all this whilst carrying the weight of a rider on their back.
This is why regular check ups with an equine chiropractor and horse massage therapist are so vital!
There are several factors you must consider when horse riding
Saddle Fit
It is so important that you have a good fitting saddle for your horse. Please get your saddle regularly checked and reflocked from a properly qualified saddle fitter. A badly fitting saddle can sometimes do irreparable damage to your horses back so please make sure yours is properly fitted and maintained.
How Your Horse is Ridden
You need to ride your horse so that they are using their back correctly. Your horse must have engagement from the hind end and be stepping under themselves, as well as using their abdominals. Try to work your horse in a soft outline with their nose just in front of the vertical. Make sure that you are well balanced yourself as any asymmetries you carry can be passed to your horse and vice versa.
Previous injuries
Any previous injuries your horse has had may result in back pain further down the line. Major injuries and lameness can quickly and dramatically decrease the strength in your horse’s back . After the injury has healed exercise must be gradually built up to prevent further injury occurring. Even mild injuries and lameness can subtly change the way a horse moves, placing more strain on other limbs and their back. Getting your horse checked over at McTimoney Animal Therapy can pinpoint these early problems and help prevent further damage occurring. Please don’t wait until your horse is actually lame. Regular check ups can help prevent lameness happening.
How much weight they are carrying
This isn’t an easy question to answer as there are a lot of factors that contribute to how much weight your horse can carry. These include the body type and conformation of your horse, and previous injuries they may have had, and how balanced a rider you are. It’s important to take a moment of honest self reflection and put your horse’s health first.
Conformation and your goals
Although conformation isn’t usually a direct cause of lameness and back pain, it can directly influence a horse’s movement. For example a horse that is structurally built downhill will struggle to bring their hind end under them. This in turn makes it harder for them to work in an outline and subsequently puts more strain on their back.
A horse with conformation faults is more likely, with time, to suffer lameness and injury. For example a horse that is back at the knee may end up with arthritis between the carpal bones as they are compacted together. If you throw in the same horse being used for jumping regularly, they will be injured much sooner. It is vital, when selecting a horse, that you consider what you want to do and choose a horse with suitable conformation that will increase the longevity of your relationship.
Your horse’s overall health
The final thing you need to consider is your horse’s health. Do they see the farrier, dentist and vet regularly for checkups? Dental problems can cause discomfort through the jaw and pain can affect the whole of the horse causing tension and muscle spasm through their back. Good foot balance and shoeing is also vital to keep your horse moving well and allow them to use themselves properly.
So although horses aren’t really supposed to do the work we ask of them, there are things that we can manage to make sure our best friends stay pain free and happy.
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Areas covered in UK: Worcestershire and surrounding counties.
Book a McTimoney Equine Chiropractic Treatment or Call Emily Walters on 07983 565 438
