Hello everyone! Last winter I wrote to the forum for advice on riding after hip surgery. After a failed right hip "resurfacing" surgery and a second, successful total hip replacement "revision," I will now be able to ride in the next three days (after my doctor's okay). I'm a 5-6 day a week rider who hasn't been in the saddle now since October 20th, 2008.

Any advice or shared experiences on riding after THR would be so helpful. Please note, I've trained my horse to have excellent manners on the ground AND under saddle, but he's still a 16.1hh off-the-track Thoroughbred so yes, that's pretty high up there. He's a great saddle horse who I haven't fallen off of in nearly five years (let' s hope I haven't just cursed myself), but I may have a tough time getting on the guy (I'm 5'5" tall).

Thanks to you all and happy trails!

Bobbie

Bobbie, Did your Doctor have any advice about starting to ride again after surgery? Do you have a sports Physiotherapist? I'm just guessing, but start slow (walking) and gradually increase your time in the saddle.

Dear Gold Pony,

I see my doctor tomorrow. Two weeks post-op I was doing so well he said he would probably be able to okay me to go back to "full activity" and start to ride in another five weeks. Well, that's tomorrow so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I had a physiotherapist after the first surgery but not for the second. I've been doing my physical therapy on my own so well that I don't feel I need additional PT. I'm now an expert on hip resurfacing and replacements... Did not plan on that. I just want to ride my horse again!

Thanks so much...

Bobbie

Bobby, I've been riding for forty years! Currently I ride six or seven days a week. I can imagine what it must be like for you. Hope the Doctor feels your ready to start riding again! Once you've built up your strength, maybe you could start trail riding at the walk. Hope you have a mounting block!

Bobbie

I also had THR in 2003 and after 12 weeks recovery I was released to normal activities except that I was not to do any running or jumping. I ride my horse with no problems but of course the doctors don't like to hear that you ride horses. My AQHA gelding is only 14.2 and I'm 5' 6'' so I don't have as far to hist myself up on him as you do with your big guy. My horse is pretty laid back for the most part although he's tried to buck a time or two. I only trail ride but I do trot and lope alot and it doesn't bother my hip in any way, actually riding is good exercise.

If you have any questions please let me know, good luck to you and your riding.

Cindy

Dear Cindy,

Thank you for the positive comments on your riding after THR. It was great to hear that you trot and lope so much. My biggest concern is the faster gaits. Not falling off, just riding balanced and secure. I rode for the first time today and just walked for an hour. I wanted to see how I would feel on the ground afterward more than anything else. Feeling pretty good right now, we'll see what the next day or two brings!

Thank you again... and here's to healthy hips all round!

Bobbie

Way to go Bobbie! Congratulations on getting back in the saddle!

Bobbie,

I actually cried the first back on my horse, I thought I'd never be able to ride again and that thought crushed me.

I'm so glad that you had a good ride first time back in the saddle, wonderful feeling it is.

I too worry about getting dumped cause that could be a terrible thing if I messed up my hip. However I'm not about to give up riding unless I absolutely have to. I have severe rheumatoid arthritis, that's what ruined my hip in the first place. My gelding is pretty easy going and it doesn't take much to keep him in line, I refer to him as being "arthritis friendly." Most of the time he takes real good care of me and I try not to do anything stupid.

My THR has never bothered me while riding or afterwards but my arthritis can be a problem at times. I usually trail ride for 3 to 4 hours up and down hills, over downed trees, lope or trot across meadows, I just try to have a great time.

Many happy trails to you and I wish you great success with your THR.

Cindy

hello! i am a new user here, and glad i have found this site! i am 38 years old with osteoarthritis in my right hip. i am seeing a orthopod today to review my x-rays and CT to see if i can have the hip resurfacing surgery. I notice that a few users here have had this surgery or a total hip. I am looking for any advice post surgery to help get me back in the saddle ASAP!! i am a former dressage rider turned to barrel racing. i run 2 horses, both are dead broke. im not worried about them hurting me, but im wondering just what to expect the first time i get in the saddle. any pain? and how long do i really have to wait before i can get in the saddle?? any advice, tips, are much welcomed:)
thanks!!

ponygirl

First of all - Hi and welcome to the board.

As far as what to expect post surgery....of course that will depend on your surgery and your recovery. Most total hip replacements are a 4 to 6 month recovery period. Mine went great, I did exactly what my doctor told me to do as well as lots of physical therapy. I was released to do all normal activities, except running or jumping, 12 weeks after my surgery. I have not had any pain of any kind in my replaced hip, it feels great.

You will certainly have to be careful after your surgery cause a fall could spell disaster. You and I both know that a horse is unpredictable no matter how well broke they are. You never know what might make them spook or jump the wrong way when you least expect it. I've seen a couple good barrel horses lose their footing and go down a time or two so be careful there too.

Good luck to you and I hope you get back in the saddle real soon.

Cindy

Dear Ponygirl,

I'm sorry I haven't been online in quite a long time, but I ended up having to go through another surgery. This one was for my left foot. I've now had two surgeries on my left foot/ankle and two surgeries on my right hip. My original right hip resurfacing failed and I had to go back in for revision surgery ending in a THR. Anyway, welcome to Western Horseman! I highly recommend the resurfacing because you are so young. I'm 50 years old and my doctor was really hoping the resurfacing would work, but it didn't due to a congenital hip deformation I have suffered.

I'm also a former dressage rider, but over the last two years have really only ridden trail. My foot surgeon tells me I'm "finally fixed" so I will have to see if I can return to my more advanced dressage training or if my horse and I will ride competitive trail. Between my last hip surgery this last January and my foot surgery on April 1st my riding was great. No pain while in the saddle, just a tender feeling in the soft tissue beneath the scar when mounting. The thing is, you'll start feeling great and will wonder why you didn't have it done so much sooner! Like you, I have osteoarthritis. I have it in my lower back which I've never felt while riding, just after getting out of bed in the morning and if I've been standing too long. My THR has helped a great deal with that back pain.

Here's to riding well and being pain free! Please let me know if you have any more questions about hip surgery...

Happy trails,

Bobbie

Bobbie, Did your Doctor have any advice about starting to ride again after surgery? Do you have a sports Physiotherapist? I'm just guessing, but start slow (walking) and gradually increase your time in the saddle.




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