In agony

T

Tanya haycox

New Member
Mar 18, 2016
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hi all,
I had my first ever horse riding lesson yesterday went brilliant. I learnt the basics directing the horse, starting and stopping trotting etc but today OMG I am in so much pain!! My legs bum wrists etc especially my upper thighs I can hardly walk! Is this normal? Any tips?
Thanks!
 
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Normal I'm afraid.... as long as you are still smiling, your body will become more accustomed with practise.
 
Hot bath with something like Radox in it. If you can face it some steady walking & easy stretches should also help.

Before your next lesson try to warm up with some gentle stretches, and when you get off walk around for a bit to loosen off your muscles.

Riding is a fantastic hobby, but it does use muscles that you probably don't exercise much normally hence why you're suffering today. It will get better, though I doubt that's much consolation right now!
 
Don't worry, even experienced riders can get stiff if they haven't ridden for a long time. Just because you do it sitting down doesn't mean it is easy on your body! Gentle stretching and hot Epsom salts baths to help the aches for now, and when you have your next lesson tell your instructor where it hurt so they can help you use your body better next ime.
 
This happened to me the first time I rode after many years. The only cure was to go back the following week and do it again. I'm not kidding - I could barely walk after my first lesson and I was still stiff and sore at the end of the week, when I was due my next. I did feel better after the second lesson :)
 
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Id agree, very normal, you find muscles you never knew you had ;) the more you do your body will quickly adapt to cope and the aches will stop :)
 
why is her instruction woefully lacking?? and the ' john wayne' feeling is perfectly natural for a new rider, or someone whos muscles are not used to it for a while.
 
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Thank you everyone that's really helped glad to know it's normal and not just me I don't know anybody else that rides to compare with! There feeling a bit better today I'm back on next Thursday so will see if is any better after cant wait!!
 
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It may have been normal in some antiquated world. But really stupid to pretend it is necessary or beneficial. Myself, my OH and grand daughter have all learned to ride well with no aches and pains. Nor does RDA stress the body of their riders. If better care were taken of the bodies of new riders maybe more of us would continue riding into old age.
The idea of a good teacher causing pain to the wrists of a rider is so far fetched that I thought the thread might be a joke.
 
As others have said yes it is normal and yes it will get easier on your body, I do think a lot of folk underestimate how physically hard on your body riding can actually be, most folk think 'well you just sit there don't you?' Anyhow welcome to the wonderful world of horses, enjoy it and welcome to NR too :)
 
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Absolutely normal!
I remember having a 3 year break and the first time I got back on we went for a 2 hour hack trotting and cantering and oh my God the next day I was walking around like John Wayne carrying 2 rolls of carpets under my arms!
Hot bath and stretches as everyone said above and after you have got some more saddle time under your belt it will stop I promise :D
 
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Riding uses muscle groups not normally used in human every day locomotion. It depends upon the individual how much stiffness and pain you suffer after your first hour in the saddle. But it's quite normal to feel some degree of "speygie" as we call it.

Sadly there are very few exercises you can do between riding sessions to help strengthen and get your new found muscle groups accustomed to your new sport., Best thing has already been suggested, warm soak, and gentle mobilisation.
 
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When I first took up Kayaking we spent a day practising correct technique for paddling, Then 2 days later we went on a 12 mile paddle, and I practised my "correct" paddle technique. NExt day I could hardly move, but it proved I had been using the correct groups......ones little used before! :D
 
Sore wrists are unusual? And if you're sitting incorrectly discomfort in the "wrong" part of the seat is not nice and won't continue as your seat improves. However thighs do ache and particularly if you're a weekly rider the muscles do take a while to recover and relearn.
Still, nothing so exciting as your first riding lessons!
 
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