Horse riding

Submitted by pepper on June 22, 2009 - 3:24pm
Body: 

I am new to this site and am really glad to have found it. After the birth of my second child I developed what I now know to be a cystocele (my first baby was a forceps delivery and this is when I think the damage was done). This hasn't bothered me much at all over the last few years - my kids are now 9 and 11. However, a couple of months ago I returned to horse riding after a break of about 8 years. I have experienced some leakage when trotting, but only a little. Depressingly, I think that my cystocele has become worse, as I am now conscious of it whereas before I was completely symptom-free. The bulge seems a bit lower. I have been doing kegel exercises, but find I can't really get much movement on the anterior wall. I am going to order Christine's book to see if the info there will help. i was wondering whether anyone thinks that the sea sponges might give some support while horse riding or whether I should see my GP re. the possibility of a pessary. I hate the thought of having to give up the riding, as its my passion - what I love doing most. Any advice/suggestions? Anyone any experience of horse riding with POP?

Christine

June 22, 2009 - 6:30pm

Hi Pepper and welcome to WholeWoman,

Although we've had several horse-women here, I don't think we've come to the definitive word on prolapse and riding.

My instincts tell me it would be just fine as long as you're in correct posture, which actually looks like classic English riding posture. The straddle position is the very best for holding the organs forward over the pubic bones (the true pelvic floor), so what would it matter if you were galloping at the same time? What you will learn if you order the dvd is that in natural anatomy there is no "hole" at the bottom of a "floor", but rather a pelvic outlet at the back and the organs held safely at the front of the body.

Wishing you well,

Christine

alemama

June 22, 2009 - 6:56pm

since you already know what happens without the seasponge try it with and see how you do.

louiseds

June 23, 2009 - 1:35am

Saddleup is our most recent equestrian, I think. Put "saddleup" into the search box, then click on the Users Tab, then click on her username. Then click on Track to see all the Topics she has posted in. Use your browser's Find on This Page function to highlight "riding" or "horse" or some other likely keyword in each Topic. You will need to click on each topic hit to bring up all the Comments posted under it, so you can scan for the highlighted text. This seems to be the quickest way of searching the existing posts. You might also find other unexpected stuff on the way.

Good luck. You can possibly also email her from her User profile. Call back and tell us how you went.

Cheers

Louise

pepper

June 24, 2009 - 4:05pm

Thanks for your replies. I've ordered some sea sponges and will give them a try. I ride an Arabian horse with very big movement, especially at trot, which may be part of the problem. However, today when I rode things felt OK which was a relief, as I really enjoy it - I think I was particularly noticing the bulge last week because I was having my period and thing seems to 'relax' more then.

louiseds

June 25, 2009 - 4:24am

Yeah, the week either side of start of menstruation seems to be universal, if predictable, for worsening POP. I think I might have finished menstruating, but I used to get very sensitive in the pelvic and lower spine areas before a period. I seemed to be vulnerable to injury, inflammation and pain at that time.

If I were you I would play around with riding posture and see what I could do, rather than assuming that it will be disastrous from now on and not trying. I don't think you will worsen it if you are careful. More likely you will be able to do it, but perhaps not at an extreme level. The sponge may help as well. Don't give up unless you have tried everything you can. We all need to overcome the fear, and have fun.

Cheers

Louise