Do you get back pain while riding? It can be quite common and many people assume that it’s just par for the course with an activity as jarring as sitting on a moving horse! But if your back is hurting then you are probably doing something wrong!
I just got over RSV, and I coughed so hard that I threw out my back – it was awful. Literally, the only thing that would loosen it up was riding – so riding can actually help your back pain!
This video will show you how to avoid or minimize back pain while you’re riding. The best way to avoid back pain while riding is by being in neutral spine. There should be a straight line from your ear, to shoulder, hip and heel. This places your back in “neutral spine” which has some natural curves that allow you to absorb the motion of the horse.
Some of the most common mistakes that people make with their back while riding are overarching their back or rounding their back. Both of these positions will create pain in your back as the concussion of the horse’s movement creates pressure in your discs, vertebrae and muscles.
The way you can find neutral spine is by placing your hand under your bum and feeling your seat bones. They should be pointing straight down, not tilting forward or back.
Another way to make sure you maintain neutral spine is by pulling your bellybutton in towards your spine like you’re sucking in a thick milkshake. This is especially important during transitions! These are the times when the back is under the most pressure, particularly canter to trot and trot to walk and of course, sitting trot!
In order to sit the trot correctly, you’ll need your horse to be round and in front of the leg. Roundness will make them more comfortable to sit on, and being in front of the leg will prevent you from having to keep nudging them forward. Your core needs to be tight, but not so tight that you’re rigid in the saddle.
If your back hurts during riding there is definitely something amiss with your position. Try to figure out the moments that you lose position and then work on keeping your neutral spine during these times.
If you’re moving correctly with your horse, it should actually keep back pain away!
Have a look at this video where I demonstrate how the position can fall apart and how people compensate for back pain and how to rectify this. If you like this video, please share it!
Thanks for watching!
