Equestrian is a sport that tests horsemanship. It is a famous and high-risk sport. There are three forms of competition that are recognized worldwide and are a part of the equestrian events at the Olympics.
They are
▪️ Dressage
▪️ Show jumping
▪️ Eventing.
Most riders when starting try each discipline and then specialize based on their abilities and what aspects of the equestrian sport that they enjoy. This is a partnership between horse and rider and means the horse needs to also have the ability to excel in the chosen sport. Riders must treat themselves, as a stiff joint or small area of pain that can impact your balance, which will affect how the horse goes, and your combined performance.
Because horse riding is a sport that requires full-body engagement, you can sustain a range of injuries.
There are two main types of injuries.
1) Overload injuries
Overload injuries happen when an area is repeatedly asked to do the same thing and it is important to see a physiotherapist for these as they can be tricky to get better as the injury needs to be diagnosed and treated as well as the cause behind it addressed. Some common issues are,
Wrist or shoulder pain (carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff tendinopathy) from gripping and holding the reins.
Heavy lifting and repetitive yard duties inevitably contribute to back pain, neck pain, and shoulder injuries.
Knee, Achilles, or heel pain from bracing and stabilizing through legs.
Headache
Acute injuries
Acute injuries are caused by a few different things but commonly from:
The horse coming to a quick stop and causing a whiplash-type injury to the neck
A horse shying away and pulling at the reins, causing strains and sprains to the neck or shoulders
Falls – coming off the horse can lead to injury to the back, shoulders, and wrists, and can sometimes include more serious injuries such as dislocations, concussions, fractures, soft tissue damage, or head injuries.
Injuries from kicking or biting
How can you avoid these injuries?
Warm-up - increase your heart rate and get the blood moving around your body, achieving the desired result from a warm-up. After warming up take a few minutes to carry out stretches before starting your ride.
Treat your body with the same care and concern as you would your horse.
Cool down after your ride – It will help to stretch any tight areas.
Wear the appropriate safety equipment, such as riding hats and body protectors. Always check equipment before setting off on a ride. Worn or damaged tack can easily break, so check it each time you use it and get any repairs done promptly.
Horses can be unpredictable. So Always stay aware and then many injuries could be avoided.
Wear the proper stirrup on your horse- Many serious injuries happen as a result of a boot caught up in the stirrup and resulted in the rider being dragged by his horse
What impact could rider discomfort have on the horse?
Pain in any joint, or tightness in any muscle, will affect the way the rider sits on the horse.
Back pain or weak core muscles will affect the balance whilst ride.
How is physiotherapy important in equestrian sport?
Physiotherapy can help improve performance, prevent injury, and enhance mobility and suppleness. Physiotherapy also assists in rehabilitation after injury and/or after surgery. Back pain or weak core muscles will affect the rider’s balance whilst ride. Always consider your position, and weight distribution, before assuming the horse is out of balance.
You may find that you sit slightly to one side or that you collapse through one hip. If you find that you cannot correct your position yourself, it may be that you are tight in some structures or weak in others. This is when you may find a professional assessment by a physiotherapist that will help to progress you in the right direction to establish which structures are causing your symptoms and devise a plan to resolve this.
References:-
https://www.physiosteps.co.nz/physio-for-common-equestrian-injuries/
https://www.physio.uk.net/horseriding.html
Yashoda Madurangi
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