• From: South Yorkshire
  • Registered: 19 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 83
  • Karma Points: 0

Topic: Back in the Saddle

Hi All, its been a while! smile

After almost a year of not riding, I've finally been lucky enough to get back in the saddle!

Now though, I have to say I'm aching like never before! hmm

I'm just curious as to if I'm aching in the right places (If you know what I mean)

After quite a long ride yesterday, I now have a sore bum, aching calves, Upper arms (tricep I think) and strangely, shoulder blades.

I am just wondering if these muscles are expected to ache or if this gives an indication that I'm tensing up rather than letting my body doing the talking. Does having sore bum bones mean I'm bouncing around on the saddle?

Don't get me wrong, I totally expected to ache but thought I'd ask on here about how to get the best seat and where I should expect to ache afterwards! Maybe there are some exercises I can practice on the relevant muscles inbetween riding so they don't get quite so achy next time smile

Any advise?

Loo

(Just been browsing and maybe this should have been in riding techniques! Those with the power, feel free to move it it you see fit) wink

Last edited by Loopy Loo (09 Nov 2009 13:57:33)

  • Kelly
  • Administrator
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  • From: Sheffield, South Yorkshire
  • Registered: 09 Apr 2007
  • Posts: 400
  • Karma Points: 7

Re: Back in the Saddle

Hi big_smile
Glad to know you are back in the saddle where you belong wink

Your aching shoulder blades may be down to tension, I have the same problem, I tend to tense up across my shoulders and don't let my arms relax enough, which actually stops you getting the best contact through the reins. My advice.. make sure you keep breathing and if possible deep slow breaths in and out to help you relax.

The aching bottom.. if its your seat bones that feel a bit sore then its probably because you are getting a good contact between your seatbones and the saddle. So thats good but as I know from personal experience, can be quite painful! I will lend you my Mary Wanless book after I have finished it which you may find useful.

You are doing great, a 3 hour ride after not riding for so long would make anyone sore big_smile

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  • From: South Yorkshire
  • Registered: 19 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 83
  • Karma Points: 0

Re: Back in the Saddle

Thanks Kel smile

You could well be right about me tensing up at the moment when I'm riding. I will have to try and relax a little more and will definately try to remember to breathe! Maybe as I get to know my stead better and get more control with my seat and legs the arms and shoulders might relax a little also!

It was definately my seat bones (and upper thighs) that were a little sore and aching so if that means I'm getting good contact thats good news to me! I'll certainly grin and bear it and am sure it will get easier as time goes by! (Let me just add that the enjoyment of riding far out weighs any of the after affects) smile

I'd defo love to have a look at your Mary Wanless book when you've finished with it if you don't mind. Or if you (or anybody else) can suggest any other good books to read I could put them on my Christmas wish list!

It seems that the art of riding has changed so much from when I first learnt (we are going back 20 odd years though) or maybe I didn't have a good enough teacher back then, I don't know, but I'm eager and willing to learn!

Loo big_smile

  • From: South Yorkshire
  • Registered: 14 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 382
  • Karma Points: 4

Re: Back in the Saddle

Heather Moffett's 'Enlightened Equitation' is a good book if you can get hold of it as it's currently out of print whilst it's being updated. 

I think that anyone coming back to riding is going to be a bit sore the next day but it probably is a combination of using muscles that you've not used for a while and tension (perfectly normal of course smile ).

In the context of riding the sore seat bones are probably due to the saddle if you're riding in a regular treed saddle.  I have to use a seatbone saver on treed saddles as they rip my legs up even when I'm riding fit, something that doesn't happen in my own saddle even if I don't ride for a while.  I could also be that you're pushing with your seat (a driving seat/polishing the saddle) which is taught a lot in riding schools but is incorrect and blocks the horse.  You shouldn't be in pain from sitting correctly.

It's worth looking at Heather Moffett's YouTube videos on how to absorb the movement of the horse:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6PTs1XPAug - Saddle design and the correct position

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMBdR2yrEOs - Walk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WfEjdk0gKs - Sitting and rising trot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fbbm_U9MdPc - Canter


If your upper arms are aching then either the horse is a bit strong and is pulling or your contact is a bit too strong, this could have a knock on effect in your shoulders too.  Despite how the dressage riders are riding these days you shouldn't need to do weights in order to ride a horse!

If you're in the Sheffield area it would be well worth you getting a lesson on an equisimulator at Smelting's Farm as they will be able to work on your position in the saddle and also teach you how to absorb the movement correctly:

http://www.equestrian-training.co.uk/eq … r%20EE.htm

I've been on a course in Devon and learned loads even though I'd been riding for years.

"Before you criticise someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you DO criticise them you are a mile away and you have their shoes"

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