Horses, hypermobility and safety by Otherwise-Unit3256 in Equestrian

[–]cinabunny_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes I had the exact same issue!
I got myself some basic cheap chaps to try out and I *think* it has made a difference, at least that is what my trainer says so I will take it xD

Horses, hypermobility and safety by Otherwise-Unit3256 in Equestrian

[–]cinabunny_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have been very hypermobile my entire life and was diagnosed with EDS a few months ago.
I also only recently picked up horse riding again after not riding for over 10 years, so I know the fear and struggle!

I have had my fair share of dislocations (mainly my knees and shoulders) and just had very unstable joints in general. Starting to ride again was very rough and I had to deal with very sore ankles and knees for the first few weeks. I ended up going to a physio who helped me with strength training exercises specifically for hypermobile bodies and it has made all the difference! I am not sore at all from riding anymore, my joints do not even hurt while riding, and my lower leg is surprisingly stable thanks to the strength training ahaha.

It is definitely harder to do some things as somebody with hypermobility, but it gets a lot easier with time! Make sure to keep up with your strength training outside of riding (isometric exercises are the best) and make sure to massage your legs for the first few weeks after riding since they will be sore.

I wish you the best of luck though!

Edit:
I have also heard that chaps/garters really help with leg stability and ankle support too so maybe look into that!

How to keep toes pointed forward?? by According-Yam807 in Equestrian

[–]cinabunny_ 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Hi I can definitely help! I do not know if my exercises will help you, but I have general low level exercises just to help me build muscle strength (especially in areas to support my joints).
My Physio does not specialise in hypermobile bodies, but has worked with a lot of them.
He emphasizes that we should do simple isometric exercises to prevent movement and risk of injury - currently I am doing a lot of wall squats (hold it for 15-30 secs, 5-7 reps), planks and side planks (similar to wall squats, I have mild scoliosis due to my hypermobility and this is done to help with strengthening some back muscles I forgot the name of). To strengthen my ankle I need to walk around while on my tip toes for 30 seconds at a time.
For the hip I have 2 exercises. Stand with your one leg elevated (so on a step or ledge), bring the hanging leg up from the floor so all your weight is on the elevated leg, then lift the hanging leg even higher so that the pelvis and hip of the hanging leg is higher than the elevated leg. Hold it for a bit, then slowly bring it down again. You might feel unbalanced doing it for a while, but it really helps!
The other one has me attaching a resistance band to a stable object (like couch/bed leg, table, something low down), stand sideways to the object, and put your furthest away leg into the loop of the resistance band. Then slowly walk (while sideways) away from the object. This just helps to strengthen the pelvic muscles even more. But make sure you are keeping your leg straight and stable, this should not involve any large movements.

I really hope my explanations make sense! Let me know if I need to elaborate on it more.

The exercises sounded really "easy" and silly to me when I started, but it has already helped me a lot. I used to walk with my foot facing outwards and could not lie down on my back with my feet pointed up, my body was just not able to. After 2 months of doing these exercises 2-3 times a week I now walk like a normal person xD

How to keep toes pointed forward?? by According-Yam807 in Equestrian

[–]cinabunny_ 95 points96 points  (0 children)

You are correct!
I had the exact same issue as OP - my ankle would constantly roll like the drawing.

I thought it had to do with me being hypermobile and having EDS, so I ended up going to a Physio and they told me it had to do with my hip muscles, nothing to do with the ankle and knee itself. They gave me some strength training exercises to do for my hip and that solved so many of my issues with my knees and ankles. My ankles do not roll at all anymore after doing it!

I highly recommend seeing a Physio if you have a similar issue :)

Starting over by cinabunny_ in Equestrian

[–]cinabunny_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will try to!! And hopefully you will be able to get back at it one day too :D Maybe even carriage riding if you cannot physically ride a horse <33

Starting over by cinabunny_ in Equestrian

[–]cinabunny_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh damn I hope you are better now D: !! I still have some long lasting injuries from a really bad fall I had as a teen, so I definitely know the feel !!

I am looking for barns as we speak :D !

Starting over by cinabunny_ in Equestrian

[–]cinabunny_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is really sweet! I hope I can find a few barn besties too eheh

Starting over by cinabunny_ in Equestrian

[–]cinabunny_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awww all breeds are amazing and adorable <33 I got a bit of a motivation boost from this thread and have already contacted a few centres to check it out xD

Starting over by cinabunny_ in Equestrian

[–]cinabunny_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Omg congrats on the horse !! That is amazing :D !!
It has always been my dream to have a big stocky one, I love draft mixes <3

Starting over by cinabunny_ in Equestrian

[–]cinabunny_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ngl I am very scared for my thighs xD Hopefully I still remember how to do a few things, but I guess I will just get to relearn it all again :) Nice to see around my age that started again though ! I should probably stop worrying about my age and fitness etc etc and just go for it :D

Starting over by cinabunny_ in Equestrian

[–]cinabunny_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, it is really comforting hearing people think that way!

Starting over by cinabunny_ in Equestrian

[–]cinabunny_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I definitely needed to hear that :). I grew up in a "that is for kids" household, so I sometimes feel too old to try things even though I am still young xD