Endurance riding (horses)

Hi,
I had a PM implanted 5 weeks ago. I have been riding since age 4. I am 45 now. I also have lupus and fibromyalgia. My cardiologist told me to refrain from riding for 4 weeks, but I am giving it the extra 7-10 days because I know I heal a bit slower due to the Lupus. I have discomfort along the outer edge of the PM, with what feels to be knotted scar tissue on top of the pectoral muscle. The incision site looks good. I have less mobility in my left shoulder, and feel a tightness around the PM. I am afraid to move it like I normally would for fear of loosening leads or tearing tissue.

I wonder how many horse people are here on this forum, and how they dealt with getting back in the saddle. Did you have any major changes in your riding? I was riding a large, forward moving eventing horse, but find that he has been a bit much for me in the months leading up to the PM. I think this was because I had less stamina than I had last summer. I had no idea I had a heart issue until I was rushed to the ER unresponsive and left with a PM 2 days later! I have a feeling that my event horse is still going to be too much for me (again...very forward). I am looking for a good trail and endurance horse, as I am returning to my first love: competitive trail and endurance riding. If there are any endurance riders out here, please let me know your experiences. My goal is to one day ride the Tevis Cup!

Wildhorses

4 Comments

Careful ...

by lahbigbro6 - 2012-06-07 04:06:57

I am not a horse person, but I started doing pilates about 4 weeks after, it was too soon ...my pacemaker had not made a "home" yet. This was my 2nd pacemaker, so I thought is was ok. It was sore in the area and started to have a weird pain. Went doc, everything was ok, but told me to wait.

Riding horses

by Pookie - 2012-06-07 10:06:55

Can't say I have any experience in that department but I did email one of my friends who is a member here and asked that she swing by to help answer your question as she is into horses too.

Also glad you're giving yourself a bit more recovery time before you jump in the saddle.

Take care,
Pookie

I'm a rider!

by candi51 - 2012-06-08 02:06:11

Hi! I am an avid rider. I mostly ride western these days but my daughter rides hunter/jumpers so I completely understand what you are referring to!! After my ICD I wasn't allowed to ride for 6 weeks and for even a few weeks after I still had someone else throw my saddle on and use a mounting block to avoid pulling. I would say if your doc clears you then just listen to your body. The tightness will ease with time and your worries about pulling a lead will ease. Is your implant subpectoral?
My doc advised me away from contact sports but never said anything about falling with my ICD. I do always wear a helmet when riding and we do jump sometimes but not big like eventing and my western horse is not exactly forward...LOL! Do you think it would hurt your shoulder/cause pain to hold on to your horse while riding if he is that forward of a mover?
We have good friends that do endurance riding and that is really neat! Much more to it than most people might think.
Best Wishes and feel free to message me if you want to chat :-)
Candi

Wildhorses

by Ride to win - 2012-06-09 07:06:06

Yea a rider! I just spent the day on a hound walk, conditioning for fox hunting. Trotted & galloped nearly 2 hours. This is 6 months after a bivent. Pacemaker and defib. were installed! I am jumping some also. My surgeon is a fox hunter also so he knew the activity well. I returned to riding 3 mo after surgery. A long 3 mo. This is my second PM and I have a different story about the other. Look forward to hearing from you.
Things seem to get better, if there are no problems with the device. I was advises not to fall on it. You probably wear a vest to do endurance riding. I rode trails for several months when i was able to resume riding. We just began our fox hunting season. Like you, I discovered the problem riding. Could not keep up and felt faint. Soon I could barely walk. Today was a miracle and I wish this for you!
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