Horseback Riding- Post Op?

ReiterDR · June 29, 2008

I haven't been banded yet, hopefully I'll be approved within the next 6 months.

Aside from the surgery and all the other things that come with being banded, my number one concern is, how long until I'll be able to ride my horses again?

I do dressage (Dressage - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia www.USDF.org, a type of english riding. I'm competitive and ride at least 3-5 times a week, I will make plans to put my competition horse in training with my trainer while I'm out, but when I come back I'm concerned I'll bounce something out of place. When riding dressage you must use your core (stomach/ab muscles/back muscles) to help hold yourself in the saddle and control your horse.

Any other riders riding post-op? Any words of wisdom, etc. would be greatly appreciated. I'm probably worried about nothing, but riding is my passion and life and I'd hate to compromise it.

Edited June 29, 2008 by ReiterDR

lessnless · June 29, 2008

Another dressage rider! Welcome!

I has surgery last August, and I was riding exactly two weeks after surgery (I promised beforehand to wait that long). No problems with pain while riding, but I did notice my port area was touchy at first when I was bent over (picking out hooves, etc.). It was a good month before I could sit a lengthening comfortably.

If you can select your port site, make sure it's on your left side (the most common location). I don't know how well a port on your right side would work for dismounting. I also wish my port was a little farther from my rib cage, but I wanted it to sit above the waistband of my breeches, thinking that might be an issue.

My biggest issue has been trying to reconnect with my center of gravity. It changes with every pound lost. I've spent ten months chasing a moving target--very frustrating.

Aside from that, I'm riding better than ever.

AliNSanDiego · June 29, 2008

My doctor said 6 weeks off of riding to heal. I'm sure that was just his standard answer...everyones healing time is different.

Thanks for the port placing suggestion. Now i'll make sure to ask for the left side.

droppindown · June 29, 2008

I am a jumper, my port is on the right, just above my waistband, it is no problem at all. I waited 3 weeks before riding, it has not been a problem at all. I think the horses will probably appreciate this surgery more than anyone! Ha, ha!

lynnvs · June 29, 2008

Sorry to horn in on this, but since you're horse-people, perhaps you can give me some advice: one of the reasons that I decided to go with the lap-band (in addition to wanting to be healthy) was to ride. My daughter has been riding for years, but now that she'll be going away to college in a year, she won't have as much time for her pony. She won't let me ride him (he's a show pony), but her barn has other ponies/horses that I could ride if we let the owner ride my daughters pony.

I'd prefer to ride a shorter pony/horse. I'm 5'1", but more relevantly, I'm 51 and if I'm going to fall, would rather fall from a shorter distance

Anyway, my question is: I weight 280 now and know that I won't be riding for at least a year - but what goal weight should I have before even getting on a pony/horse? I don't want to hurt the poor thing!

AliNSanDiego · June 29, 2008

Hahaha. You are so right! My horse will be the most appreciative of my weight loss. He is a BIG boy & can carry quite a lot of weight, but I swear he sigh's a breath of relief every time I dismount.

Man I can't wait to get these pounds off so I can feel confident about riding.

I am a jumper, my port is on the right, just above my waistband, it is no problem at all. I waited 3 weeks before riding, it has not been a problem at all. I think the horses will probably appreciate this surgery more than anyone! Ha, ha!

ReiterDR · June 29, 2008

Glad to see I'm in good company!! I'd probably wait about 6 weeks before I ride again, but I'm also trying to work around competition dates :redface: as I've got some big riding goals for next year too so no vacations for them, except the days they already get off, one will go to my trainer, the other I'm going to let a friend of mine use to do some schooling shows on while I'm out.

Thanks for the suggestion of port placement! I've got a short upper body, so I don't think they'll be able to avoid being near my ribs to try and avoid my waistband.

I was looking back to pictures of me when I was about 150# and riding, I used to think I was so fat then and I wasn't! I looked great! I then started watching different shapes and size of the professionals, and even they have some junk in their trunks for their sizes, they're built like WOMEN! Isbabell Werth, she's not stick then, but she's very muscled! I want to eventually get there.

Is there an Equestrian LapBand support group? If not, anyone interested in making one????