Hello,

I am 44 years old and had back surgery 14 months ago. I had a herniation at L4-L5 but my surgery did not involve fusing the disks. They just shaved off the offending portion of the disc and freed the sciatic nerve which was severly compressed. I felt better immediately after surgery. I had my surgery in November '07. I did 6 weeks of PT and  started a walking regimen immediately after surgery. When I began riding again in May '07 (I don't ride in the winter, no indoor) I had no problems other than typical sore muscles. I started with the basics, just walking and posting trot. I progressed to canter and the sitting trot over the summer once my back and legs were strong again. I ride English and was trained Hunter/Jumper so I'm not sitting in a deep dressage saddle. Also, my horse is a big TB who is not a particularly smooth gaited horse. Even taking that into consideration, my recovery and return to riding went smoother than I expected it to. Best of luck with your surgery!

There was an interesting article in the April 2009 issue of Practical Horseman magazine (page 80) about a dressage rider that had to have back surgery due to disc problems. She had a new procedure called total disc replacement (TDR). The article stated that this was FDA approved in the US in 2006, so not all doctors may be using it. Just thought I would pass the information along - might be worth doing some research... Good luck.

In 2005 a "total disk replacement"  became available.  It is not the same as a disk

fusion and works better with less recovery time.  The problem is that there are limited

doctors that do the surgery and not all insurances pay for it.  Recovery time is

nothing compared to a fusion.   Football players can play again after this type of

surgery compared to a fusion.  

   I ahd a fusion in1992.  I still ride but am treated for constant pain.. A friend had  a

similar surgery recenty but it was a total disk replacement.   After 2 months he has

been cleared to work as a fireman and is pain free.

Hello.

I had surgery for a herniated disc back in '85.  I couldn't ride for a year, but I year to the day I got back on.  I can't mount from the ground, but I never did.  I always use a mounting block and just swing over.  I have a 17 hand saddlebred who is just used for pleasure.  He goes English and Western.  The only thing I can never do is jump, but I seldom jumped intentionally.  I was 34 years old when I had the surgery and have never stopped riding.  I may have had to give up riding "hot" horses, but that's okay.  My Preston takes me wherever I want to go.  He has exceptionally smooth gaits.  Just be careful when you ride.  You may have to cut back on a lot of the repetitive motion, but you can still ride which is most important.

Cynthia Buczkowske

horsey55

 

I had spine reconstruction surgery with a fusion and insertion of a rod and pins January 30, 2006.  I had severe back pain that was to the point of intolerable and was diagnosed with severe spinal stenosis, scoliosis and spondalysthesis.  Cortisone injections were successful once but then it was all downhill.  I had a 6 month recovery period after surgery with no riding and then began very cautious riding.  Currently, I am riding every opportunity I have.  I am 66 years of age and got into my riding career at age 59.  My horse is a 22 year old registered Paint mare, Robin, who is an awesome horse.  She is very quiet, calm and gentle in spite of losing her left eye last June due to ERU and a detached retina.  Her health, unfortunately, is deteriorating so I am very fearful our rides together are coming to an end.  Can't even think of that.  But to answer your question, after 3 years, I still find I can do things painfree that I couldn't do last year for example.  Robin and I trail ride with friends as well as alone.  We walk, trot and lope with no problem. I find I can sit a trot or post with no back pain.  This has evolved with time.  So I guess the important thing is to realize it will take time but you can and will be back to what you were before surgery and probably, as in my case, so much better.  I have never regretted having the surgery but have only regretted not having had it sooner.  Good luck and God bless.  Gayle

Hi,  I had a bad horse accident back in Oct.  I fractured three vertebrae (L1, L2, L3) and six ribs.  The surgeon fused my spine from T11 to L5.  I have started riding again, I haven't cantered yet because my horse does not have a nice canter.  I have been able to post and trail ride.  The longest I've ridden is an hour and a half.  It's only been six months and I am still seeing progress.  You definitly need to do your rehab excersices and ask your Physical Therapist to help you with exercises  especially to help you ride.  Good luck.  

 Contact Lauren Irwin at ljipook@yahoo.com. She has had several procedures done and I'm sure she could give you some advice. She is very knowledgeable as she is also an MRI tech.

jobug, best wishes that all goes well with your surgery.  From the many positive comments here, it would seem you have many years of riding ahead of you.

Reading these posts have been uplifting to me.  My hat is off to all of you.

Hello to all who have kept this thread going. I've tried to reply individually to all who have taken time to contribute their thoughts, suggestions and well wishes. In case I've missed anyone, I want to publicly THANK YOU!  I am taking it one step at a time, starting the series of back injections, and physical therapy.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.  Again, thanks.  jobug

After more than 20 years with continuous pain in my lower back I tried a chiropractor. He diagnosed that my L5 disc had broken down and my vertebrae had fused and that the L4 disc was starting to degenerate.

I started on the exercises he recommended and I went for adjustments 3 times per week. I still do the exercises but I only get adjusted once a month or so now and I am pain free in my back. The degeneration of the L4 disc has stopped and I have the added benefit of having a boosted immune system and now hardly ever get sick.

My back damage comes from riding for more than 45 years as well as being a professional athlete in my twenties and a competitive trampolinist in my teens. Of course this is all in addition to the bum knees I have from years of skiing

I am VERY close to 60 and have 5 horses. I handle my babies and take the beating that they can dish out as well as dealing with their mom's. I handle hay and grain and can muck stalls with no problem.

I would consider alternatives before Iet anyone near my body with a knife.

Hi Jobug,

I am 57 and had a bad fall from my horse 3 years ago, sustaining a burst fracture of my L2 vertebra.  I had reconstructive surgery of the vertebra and a T12-L4 fusion.   My orthopaedic surgeon, neurosurgeon, rehab doctor, chiropractor, and physical therapists were all of the opinion I should never ride again.

 I too had concerns that my back would be too stiff and that I would not be able to sit the trot.  I thought I should probably get a smooth gaited horse like a Tennessee Walker, which my cousin with back trouble now rides after years of riding hunter-jumpers. 

 But I recently bought a fabulous 19 year old quarter horse gelding and have resumed riding after nearly 3 years. I have found to my surprise that my seat is just fine, that I am not catapulted out of the saddle with each stride, and that my back does not hurt.  I believe that improving my core strength with pilates is responsible for this. 

Since my fusion is higher up, our results might not be the same but I thought this might be helpful.  Also, consider my cousin's suggestion to switch to a Tennessee Walker. 

Good luck!

Barb

Hi. I just back to riding after more than 30 years. The first thing I did was look up on the internet back pain as related to riding horses. All I found was possitive information on how horse back riding was a great help to back pain. The rythym of the horse works as a soothing and massaging effect on the back. Since I started riding my back feels great. I had a herniated disc about 15 years ago and have to be careful lifting and bending over certain ways, but riding is great!

my uncle had the same problem as you what he did is he waited til his physicl therapist said he was all clear to do what he wanted so if you are not seeeing a phusical therapists a strongly rcomend that you see one to check on your back condition

Hi,

I am sorry to hear about your back problem.  I have had back problems most of my life, diagnosed with scoliosis, wore a Milwaukee brace, (chin to below buttocks brace) for two years as a teenager to prevent further curvature.  I experienced severe back muscle spasms througout my life and now have a herniated disc in lower spine. I have never let any of this stop me from doing anything.  In fact, it has driven me to ride my bike and learn to drive with that brace on, lift weights since I was 20 years old, and ride horses!  I did not have surgery but I went to physical therapy and learned the exercises to strengthen my "core" muscles.  I also had the shots for quite awhile until I healed.  I continue to do the exercises.  It's a lifelong commitment to taking care of myself.  I still ride my horse!  I would encourage anyone to really give physical therapy a real chance, you have to do the exercises at home every day not just at the sessions for it to work. 

Good luck to you.   Keep riding, it's great for your muscles, mind and soul.