oh well another fall osteo arthritis and giving up jumping

[coverblown]

Fall no 6 this year was today... after fall no 5 on Sunday.

I cannot believe all this. I don't think I'm great or anything but I can't understand why I keep falling off...

I've been riding for 7 years now and confidence has been slowly coming, so much that I did a 2' showjumping class (at the yard) at Xmas and came 2nd. I've been 4th in dressage and got another couple of sj rosettes, at 2'. Nearly did a 2'3 but Pepsi fell over - that was just in April. Since then I have fallen off 3 times - today was just over a silly little jump again.

Had been to the doctor this morning cos my hips are sore, of course I am still a little sore from last Sunday's fall, but I have been feeling a bit sore for some time ( a few years to be honest) and I have just turned 50.

Well the dreaded words osteo arthritis and hip replacements were mentioned. Got really poor rotation in my hips apparently. Feel ancient.

Riding this afternoon, sore hips when I got on (nothing new). Did usual exercises, started jumping, felt unsteady. Yes, you got it, I came off.

This time I didnt get back on, just walked Max back to his stable and came back to watch daughter finish the lesson going over high jumps without stupid mother. She is lovely to watch and got a smile back.

Anyway I think that jumping, tho I love it, has got to go now, at least for the next few months. Have got to get over aches and pains from the falls and then find out what I can do, depends on the X-rays and then get used to horseback again.

Just feeling mighty despondent right now. And that everything is going backwards.

[Lucyad]

I would suspect that the stiffness caused by your condition, albeit not diagnosed has been causing you to fall more frequently. Now that you have been diagnosed, that is a start. There are plently of drugs and also homeopathic remedies and supliments that can help. My mother in law has similar condition and has lost a lot of mobility very quickly but now she is sorting out her medication she hopes to be back to normal soon. Good luck and dont give up yet - talk to your doctor.

[domane]

Ouch! My sympathies to you hun...

Don't give up yet! Is jumping all you ride for?? No?? I thought not... I am sure if you lower your sights a little then you can carry on... it depends on your frame of mind though. Getting older is a... well, I can't type what I want to say... but it's HORRIBLE... and we all fight the inevitable. It's rubbed in by others who can still manage, but I think you need to reassess your capabilities as the possible but very dreaded OA takes hold!!!

You need to decide whether you can bear to be just a happy-hacker, or whether the thought of not competing and doing all the other stuff you love is just too much and that you would rather not ride at all.

Take some time, digest things, weigh up your options, look into joint supplements, painkillers etc... seek medical advice.... THEN you can make a truly-informed decision.

In the meantime (((big hugs))) are prescribed from ME :) xxxx

[coverblown]

Thanks for your concern Lucyad, and I have spoken to my doctor. I am quite lucky our GP practice is holistic and he will do homeopathy and acupuncture etc.

I am glad your mother in law's arthritis is improving through homeopathy, it is supposed to be great.

The problem I have is keeping falling off horses tho', and my age, and the osteoarthritis. I just turned 50 last month and am not yet ready to be anyone's mother in law, although technically I am probably old enough.

But not old enough for two hip replacements and possibly giving up riding. My dream has been to get my own horse when I stop working. I work away and put god knows how many hours in, and love to ride at the weekends.

[neen]

I sympathise AAH -- arthritis tends to start quite young in my family too. But then, my best friend has had serious arthritis since she was 21 and she refuses to let it control her life, which puts it into perspective a bit.

Maybe if you stop falling off for a bit, and therefore stop hurting quite so much, things will seem brighter. There's a lot of riding you can do that doesn't involve jumping (I haven't jumped for years)!

Take it easy for a bit -- it doesn't mean you're old! I take it easy all the time!

[Wally]

Jumping is over-rated, though a dear friend managed lots of hunting seasons with 2 hip replacements.

[Skib]

I am really sorry you have fallen so often. That can be dangerous, soyou are right to re-assess. I dont jump. But I do have experince of why one falls more easily (even on the flat) with a stiff hip.

It sets one crooked on the horse. And may give problems riding on one rein but not on the other, because you have more weight to one side. Even if it doesnt show up when one is sitting, in canter or forward seat (like when jumping?) it may mean one comes down in the saddle slightly off centre too.
I posted a pic of me trotting bareback last week. What I didnt say was how the pics of me riding bareback showed how my left hip is not opening out. Which is not so clear with a saddle.

[Edited: IMH, I've removed the pic now you've seen it. I don't leave identifiable pics on the internet.]

There isnt any cure for my spine/left hip deterioration, and may not be for yours. Riding teachers tried in the past and it led to misery all round. Often I avoid weighting that left seat bone because it hurts and that was why the consultant years ago told me never to ride a horse.

But the good news and my experience is that a skilled teacher who understands riding with physical limitations can work with one to reduce the fault itself.
Can decide whether to adjust the tack or stirrups - choice of saddle and should one ride with one stirrup shorter than the other? In my case no.
Can (in my case through lunge lessons) teach one's body how to compensate so that after a time one finds one no longer falls off on corners or in spooks.

And a good teacher achieves this without being negative. I look awful. But it wasnt mentioned. Because it wasnt relevant. We all have to ride with the bodies we have. The aim of the lesson was to take photos of me trotting bareback for the nervous nellies club and no matter what I look like in this photo, I trotted several times round comfortably on both reins - my best ever. From my perspective it was a lovely lesson.

I dont know whether a teacher such as mine would work with you to the point where you might jump again, but safely. But thinking what has been done for me, I wouldnt rule it out.
If I loved jumping as you do, it might well have been achieveable.
PS Two teachers who have taught me well also teach riders with artificial hips.
PPS In case you dont know, I am 66 years old.

[RustyMary]

What a lovely positive post skib - that picture does show what you are contending with and it makes me think MORE of you, not less! You give hope to us all!

[tubby]

Yes getting older is not good, though better than the alternative :) I too have arthritis in my hip & my upper spine. Not content with that I also have a problem with my inner ear making jumping just too risky( fall like a bag of slack these days).I was 60 in March & as long as more things don't start dropping off me hope to continue riding for years yet,though I no longer compete as my heart is with jumping really,find showing so boring & always feel that I didn't get my money's worth as there were no jumps:)Don't give up go to your doc & see if he'll put you forward for Physio,could well give you a new lease of life,good luck.

[hormonalmare]

I really sympathise with you. I too have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, and find that some days my position just doesn't 'come right' and my left hip seizes up, which is unbalancing and painful.

I'm finding T'ai Chi exercises quite helpful. All the positions and moves are based on the 'horse stance', which is exactly the position you should be in on horseback anyway, and the gentle rotations seem to help to keep the hips mobile. My specialist told me to try to persist with the riding, as it's excellent for keeping joint mobility going!

Jumping I can't help with, as I'm far too pathetic to even attempt it!

[crinks]

The jumping has had to be discontinued here as well, been told hacking andshowing classes if I like, BUT the showjumping and 3de are definitely out! Spoilsport daughter keeps telling me that 'I will break not bounce these days' anyonewould think I am in my dotage the way she carries on! Dressage is also permissable I just been informed, 'so much more dignified at your age mother!' Excuse me whilst I just go and dispose of daughters body under the patio!

[coverblown]

Thanks everyone, these replies really help, so positive.

Skib, your pic is fantastic... and your experience, learning to ride in your 60's and bareback trotting, is an inspiration.

Thaks neen and Jane, Wally, of course I don't need to jump, even though I love it (and am pretty pathetic at it!) And you are all quite correct of course: I would rather ride and not jump, than not ride at all.

So, feeling a bit less sorry for myself this morning, AND riding tomorrow. I will do flatwork till the fall aches go, probably for the remainder of the summer; get to grips with getting Boris to go in an outline, try a wee bit more of counter canter and some lateral work (quite new to me); and then see if I can face jumping again in the autumn, when medical solutions (or symptom relief) is likely to have taken hold.

Oh but I felt AWFUL yesterday; diagnosis in the morning and out the front door in the afternoon! Thanks all for getting me through that....

Anne

[Franqui]

Hi there. Hugs. I'm sorry to hear you're having these problems.

I do know some people swear by Cortaflex (the human variety). I, myself, take glucosamine supplement as I've had a touch of joint problems since a car accident almost 20 years ago. I haven't taken it recently and am noticing how bad things have become again. I do hope that will help you.

So far as the jumping is concerned, it is very likely that the arthritis has caused you to fall more frequently. I think we favour one side or the other when there is some pain (even subconsciously). I had a riding accident in April when our gelding reared over onto me, and the physio made me far more aware of how unconsciously I was favouring one leg, especially hip, over the other. As far as I was concerned I was walking OK!

I hope you carry on having many more years of riding enjoyment. All the best.

[LMS]

Hi there,
Have you followed Enduranceali's thread on "Advice on coping with my arthritis"?

There's really good advice on it. I also posted a little blurb on osteoarthritisfrom my therapeutic instructor's manual.

I'm just in the begining stages of osteoarthritis of the hip. So damage to the cartilage is not yet fully apparent. But there is a slight narrowing happening. I also have a cyst in the superior lip of the acetabulum that is so close to the surface that it has caused a deformity. And that is what I feel & cause the very painful debilitating flare ups when I do certain things.

One has to bare in mind that the hip holds the heaviest weight of all joints. And jumping is now proving to be to taxing for your hips. Henceforth the falling.

Have you had xrays or other images done that shows the progress of deterioration? Are you seeing a physiotherapist? Or getting treatment at a sport's medecine clinic? They will be able to teach you how to strengthen the muscles & ligaments that surround the hip.

You may want to get in touch with an occupational therapist or physio therapist that actually works in a therapeutic riding school. They would be able to inform you of the best riding avenues you can do. And maybe for a while include therapeutic riding as they will also give you exercises to do & assess your position.

Choosing a smooth gaited horse & somewhat narrower will also help.

[Dummer&Drummer]

oh hun im sorry, ive had osteo arthritis in my leg for years, but i would imagine a hip is harder to deal with re riding and affects it all a bit more than a leg

unfortunately, i gonna have to break before i give up jumping but i have a strong feeling that wont stop me either and ill find a way round it :rolleyes:

[icegirl]

Hey that is really tough - good wishes on their way and hope you find ways to get some improvement. Riding without jumping has to be better than no riding though.
Having had a long gap without horses and getting back to it at middle age, I am only too aware of the limitations of the body and how those can increase. Dont you think we are a positive strong lot on here tho, for doing it at all?
Heres hoping you stay in the saddle for lots of years yet.