For me, correct position and a saddle that was correct for me were the starting points to helping back pain. My original saddle threw me into a "reverse banana position ". The saddle I ended up with allowed neutral spine.
I have vertebrae problems throughout my spine. I returned to riding two years ago however my coach is aware of this problem...she decided we will only go so far with my training. She is consistent in alerting that I'm tilting forward sideways or too far back as I don't always feel that. She has been excellent in helping me get though this.
It took me 20 years of riding to figure this out, including 5 years of riding lessons. This is the number one lesson in riding for the improving rider in my opinion. A typical amateur polo player leans forward, to avoid short term pain, but not realising how much long term pain they cause themselves, and then need pain-killers to survive the next ride. For us, this is the most important thing to learn from dressage.
Deb Dunster's comment below is spot on. It's so important to check with your doctor to know if your back is hurting because of a spine/hip issue rather than position and if you're working with a trainer, to let them know what you are dealing with so they can help you when you are riding to stay in the "neutral" position. Old injuries can also magnify regardless of how correctly you sit in the saddle, especially as you get older. Finding that out first-hand.
Thank you explaining this so well and also talking about the horse’s position as well. I know I compensate for poor core strength with back pain and I wondered if this just reinforced the cycle of being uncomfortable for horse and rider. I know for me it is the rising trot that causes lower back pain. Sitting trot and canter is easier to maintain than rising trot. I have been working on exercise to hold my own body weight and lifting and have found this has really helped me hold myself in the saddle.
When I first started riding again after a 15 yr break, and after coming back from injuries or COVID, I notice my back REALLY hurts, especially in posting trot. It’s definitely a sign to me that I’m not using my core correctly. It’s so interesting to hear that riding should be stretching your back! I think I need to keep gaining more core strength & stability to get to that point! It’s also very eye opening to hear “if your back hurts, your horse’s back probably hurts.” I don’t want that!! 😰😰😰
Great tips. This is something I have been working on to help with my lower back pain. Good to see what NOT to do. I will use these visualizations in my riding. Thank you!
Saddle fit for rider, not just horse is critical in back pain cases. Seat shapes can dramatically impact rider position: seat length, seat depth, twist size and twist shape whether the seat profile is a perfect u-shape or whether it has a flat spot and whether that flat spot is level, tilted forwards or tilted backwards and whether this matches your pelvic floor will have a huge impact on both comfort for your butt as well as any potential back pain issues. Most saddles can be adjusted to fit your horse but very few can be altered to affect the seat shape for the rider.
I read the subject line I and felt like this video was made especially for me. LOL. I know you have some senior riders so for them I share my experience with back pain while riding…….caused by 63 years of wear and tear. I’ve had low back pain for 38 years but only recently did it start hurting while riding and believe me, it is a game changer. I’m over due for lumbar injections due to a not so funny comedy of errors. The injections in 2020 were good for 2 years so I’m very hopeful. I DO LOVE THAT YOU SAY RIDING IS GOOD FOR OUR BACKS! I feel better after 20 minutes or so in the saddle but I still feel vulnerable because even mild pain has a negative effect on the level of strength you need to carry yourself and follow the movement not to mention flexibility, accuracy of the aids and reaction time. But for the under 70 riders, your advice is very good and important. And for the senior riders…..I’m not giving up. If you’ve been riding for a very long time, you have a huge back log of riding tips and explanations so you are mostly getting reminders. But there is always room for revelations.
My friends, if everything seems right and you're still having back pain and can't figure out why, BUY A BETTER SPORTS BRA. Watch yourself on video and see how much movement there is. Try it again after the sports bra; you'll see why your dang back hurt. Knix Catalyst Front Zip is a game-changer.
Love this video- I sometimes lean forward in the trot to walk transition since we are “done” with the exercise and I’m about to walk on a loose rein. Important reminder to keep my core engaged during this transition!
Thank you! I am 79 and just returned to riding after five years. I have lots of lower spine deterioration but exercise helps, and I am stiff even when I think I am not. I appreciate your comments about saddle fit; I expect my saddle is too big and it does not provide the thigh blocks to assist in correct leg position. My discomfort occurs after I ride, not while I am riding. I know I lean forward creating anterior tilt. I have a LOT of work to do to create the correct position on my horse in my muscle memory. Your videos are so clear and concise, and you make it look SO easy! Again, thank you.
Well my riding used to make my back feel better until I had an unfortunate spook that caused damage and warranted a surgery and now a second procedure next week. Hopefully this will get me back in the saddle with help from eastern and western medicine! 🙏. Will definitely be addressing any of my bad habits to keep my back healthy and happy! Great topic and video! Happy riding everyone and Happy Holidays! 😊 ❤️🐎
Really interesting video Amelia Thankyou! I'm going to try your suggestions on this as I do suffer with back pain and I think this will really help...👍🐴🤗
Great topic--thank you!!!!Thanks to a non-riding injury, i have had periodic painful back problems for many years. However, my chiropractor says riding has actually _improved_ my back health. And since I’ve increased my riding time, I’ve had way fewer back-related issues (as in one or two a year compared to multiple issues a year). He says my work commute in the car is actually harder on my back than riding. However I do overarch my back sometimes, especially at the canter. And I don’t want to hurt myself (again). Thankfully my trainer is good at helping me catch and correct that. It’s a process to be sure, but (mostly) all good!!! Again, thanks for the helpful video!!!!
Thanks for interesting information. I have back pain when i go half-sit on contor or trot and increase if i stay long time hafe-sit . I learned from your vedio maybe because of anterior peivic , what exercise should I do ?
One of my horses just has a horrible canter a 1/2 gypsy she just kills your back. I also have a fox trotter who loses gate and it becomes very bouncy but I just start posting to relieve my back. In gate I can just sit and relax. The 1/2 gypsy horse has a nice trot so posting that is easy but cantering no way, she should be a cart horse.
Your saddle is great Amelia ! I wish I could find the same one in France, where I do not know. In addition I can't ride at the moment due to winter and so much cold which is bad for knees.😓
I started horse riding sessions just 2-3 weeks ago and now I have lower back pain, I am guessing due to transitioning problems, can you please advise how to cure it, should I go to a chiropractor, get a back massage, or any particular exercises to recover soon, I miss the horses already!
Great video as usual. In addition to what you cover in this video, I find that what gives me a sore back is my inability to keep my elbows close to my body; instead riding with chicken wings as I often describe myself. Any tips for correcting that? Or maybe a previous video already covering that topic.
Riding makes my lower back feel better, but sometimes the canter makes my neck and shoulders hurt. Probably tension but I am not sure how to fix it. :P
I have a bulging disk that is under control for the most part, but when I ride I often have back pain during and after downward transitions (and sitting trot is a big no no). My horse is half percheron and has a HUGE trot, and i don't feel like I'm in good enough shape to sit the trot or the transitions, I usually end up standing in my stirrups. :( Slowly working myself back into riding shape. I know you had a slipped/bulging disk at some point Amelia, how did you get better?
So sorry you are struggling with this! Check out my sitting trot challenge and the fitness option to add on - you may be interested! amelianewcombdressage.com/sitting-trot-challenge/
@@AmeliaNewcombDressagedo you think its just soreness or my posture could be incorrect? When i post up my lower back hurts so i was thinking I may not be doing it right. I will tell my instructor tomorrow but i am worried because i don’t want to injure my back❤ thank you for responding
My entire soul hurts after riding. Starting up again after 9 months off healing ulcers and more. Man.... Everything is gone. My horse's suppleness, my feel and skill.... Hot mess.
