I crushed my T12 at 14. While mending 3vertibre fused together and I have a 10% tilt forward (although not visible). On and off I have terrible pain, spasm and stiffness, Im also very weak down 1 side and cant always get signals to work as I want. I have limited bend and twist (although again not really visible) and find absorbing impact very differcult.
I was told to never ride again by my consultant as any fall may have disastrous results. (also banned from any sport for 2yrs) To begin with I listened an up untill I was 17 I stayed well clear of horses. However going to watch my friends little girl ride was for me heart breaking and unfortunately the final straw. I spoke to the YO and explained my history. She had no worry with taking me on and turned out her OH was a GP if we were ever worried he'd come straight out. I started with 10mins in walk, getting on and off from bales the same height as the horse and filling up on pain killers an hour before. I would nearly always get off in tears but was determined. I am so thankful to that instructor, pushed when I needed but also knew my limits, in a year I was walk, trot, canter, jump 3'6, flying changes, leg yield, renvers and generally glowing in confidence!! Riding for an hour in a very intense private lesson atmosphere.
In time however my riding seemed to go down hill and my day to day life grew worse, I was very worried at one point that I would have to stop. I was becoming very squint and could hardly bend or twist. However when I was just 23 and hardly able to get in and out the car some days I decided to try an holistic chiropractor. Turned out I was also suffering from scoliosis. Its now about a year since I started seeing him and Im going strength to strength.
I currently can ride for about 4hrs a day and walk, trot, canter, gallop, school and jump small jumps. The more I ride the better and more flexible I get. However work without stirrups is impossible unless on the flatest of horses as if I get uncomfortable I need to shift my weight so I need my stirrups. Ive heard gaited and treeless are the way to go however I dont have either and dont find it a problem. I ride everything from 13h ponys, 14 mad cobs to 16'2 ex racers, 4yr olds to 25yr olds and bought a completely scatty 5yr old to rehabilitate and bring on. I will ride untill I cant anymore and atleast I wont look back and wonder what if!?!? I also now work with horses (self employed) and ride as part of my living. Im currently trying to work my way threw my stages (although finances arent helping) and the only issue is I cant mount from the floor or ride without stirrups but my GP writes a medical note and they have no problem with it. I know 4 other people with back problems who ride and 2 of those are degenerate.
I have fallen off more times than I can remember and although it hurts Im sure its no worse than anyone else's pain. My main advice is warm up and cool down properly, never let your back get cold while riding, once you start keep going or you'll be back at square 1, dont try and carry urself to much as this causes tension and therefore pain, find a sympathetic instructor who will understand if you cant hold the "correct" position, But most of all enjoy it!!! Im sorry this is long but getting back in the saddle was the best thing Ive ever done and Im so happy that Ive achieved what I have, so dont give up, try it and see!!
My sciatic pain has now 95% gone.