Does anyone out there go horse riding? I am 74, with a spine of -3.6. I had to stop Teriparatide after seven weeks due to side effects. Then tried denosumab (Prolia) 3 months’ ago, and I’m pretty sure I won’t have the next one as the side effects have been dreadful.
My and career have been with horses, so I haven’t ridden now for nearly 20 years. I’m thinking that with two thoracic fractures, maybe writing is not a good idea. Does anyone
I know exactly how you feel regarding riding and sadly I think you are correct in thinking that it is not a great idea. Although I’m sure some9ne who uses this forum still rides.
I was brought up with horses and in recent years had such a hankering to ride again, in particular I had a yearning to try side saddle - I had even got as far as researching where I could do it - it was something I had never done before.
Then in January 2020 I broke my wrist and discovered I have osteoporosis and decided it was probably not a good idea for me. Even the most bomb proof horses and ponies can be startled and I just didn’t feel I could take the chance of falling off and I’m sure I’d probably break something.
Same with cycling - I used to fall off regularly - I never ever damaged myself though which was why I was very surprised to break my wrist - so although I have cycled since I was a little girl, sadly I have decided cycling is no longer for me.
Also read up carefully if you decide to stop Prolia.
🥲🐎……. And yes, I know about stopping Prolia. It should be OK after just one injection……. 🐎🐎🐎
I agree that being afraid of hurting yourself is not conducive to riding horses, it needs confidence and total commitment. It's not nice for the horse carrying a stiff bouncing thing on its back clinging on for dear life, you need to be relaxed and in control - of both of you! 😬🐴
I’m nearly 60 with a spine score close to your although no fractures (touchwood!)
I work on a livery yard and look after 10 horses, I recently had a REMS scan which showed good bone strength and was reassured that the work I do is strength training for my bones.
I do ride but only on my own pretty steady pony, not interested in riding anyone else’s, not worth the risk.
Maybe you could do some grooming or groundwork with suitable ponies just to be around them again if not actually riding?
Good luck!
Think that message is for the original poster who is teriparatide 2024 but lots of good points.
I’ve had a couple of REMS scans and my bone strength is a bit borderline. I like the idea of grooming ponies - I absolutely love the smell of horse. Lucky you to have your own steady pony to ride, can see why you’re not tempted to ride other people’s horses.
Me too! Spent my life working with or riding and competing my own or other people's horses. Miss them sooo much. 😢 I had three beautiful steeds, why we moved here coz we had stables at the end of the garden a small paddock and rented a further 2 acres - I was in absolute heaven. But - long before I knew I had OP and fractures I had a bad back, first had to give up jumping( Biddy was a real power jumper) so did dressage, had to stop that too so trained X and groomed so he could compete my girls... must shut up now.
Point I meant to make was- for me my back couldn't handle it and after I fell off jumping and broke my pelvis that was time to hang up my boots. The horse is constantly moving so moves you too, if you're fit and supple with no back problem it may be worth the risk - but it is that, half the fun of it. Please be very careful but also if you are not confident the horse will sense that too making for an uneasy ride. You need to be absolutely sure you can manage all that it takes, and gives. Good luck! 🤞🐴🦄🐎❤️
It's tough isn't it, not being able to do the things we loved and finding a new outlet to get interested in instead xx
I still ride in my late 60’s, having been involved with horses all my life. I fractured 2 vertebrae in 2023 (horse riding) after which osteoporosis was diagnosed and 2 earlier compressions were discovered. I had to stop riding for a while, but decided it was time to get on board again and am now ‘riding’ regularly. I am fortunate to have a very sensible old mare. I have a younger mare in work who I hope will make a suitable next mount for me. Riding now mainly comprises hacking, but that’s fine - I’m glad to be on board, having plenty of horse contact and an opportunity to meet up with friends to ride out. Clearly riding is not without risk - but you have to live. I am currently taking teriparatide and seem to be getting on ok with it although I am lacking energy and too often feel tired. Good luck.
Teriparatide also made me feel very tired, and I was concerned that tiredness could lead to an accident.
The thing about riding is that I sold my riding school, moved back to the UK, and now I don’t have contact with horses. And as you say, if I did start up again, I’d need a bombproof horse….. perhaps I’m better to just walk, with my Nordic poles, (as best I can with severe osteoarthritis in both ankles 😂). I’m focused on my feral dog, who’s coming on leaps and bounds…..
Nordic poles are wonderful - both for balance/confidence and for breathing. I have bronchiectasis as well as osteoporosis (+ some cardio stuff 🙄) and I find the poles make me walk in more upright position so that my lungs can expand more fully, breathing very much improved.
Re riding, could you volunteer with Riding for the Disabled or similar - get your equine ‘fix’ that way, and help others?
That's a brilliant idea xx
I also use poles when walking - very useful. I guess our bodies tell us what’s possible, even if we need to adapt in order to continue.
The Queen rode nearly till death, didn't she, and the key was the bombproof steady old mare.
But she had an endless pot of our money to breed the most boring ponies on the planet, all looked after trained, groomed, tacked up for her etc. so all she had to do was sit on it and plod about on our magnificent estates - hardly the hard work we do just to get to ride atall.
Fell ponies are definitely not boring. Quite the contrary.
Perhaps you are referring to her stalwart efforts to save the Cleveland Bay?
I said the ones bred by the Queen were boring coz they were deliberately bred for her to plod safely around on. No all fells are not boring, quite feisty actually. I had a half bred Cleveland Bay and she was a right brat, def. not boring atall, though could be stubborn and lazy except when it came to jumping - wow! Five people I knew that had CBs found the same. These horses are bred for a certain purpose, CBs were carriage horses now jump, Fells for rounding up now excellent carriage ponies and hacks.My fav pony as a kid was Friesian, now they're huge, bred that way same as the cattle! No more horse talk I hear the moderators say! 😂🐴🐎❤️
It's great to read some horsey talk!!💕
I stopped after my diagnoses of osteopaenia but volunteer now at a RDA school to get my horsey fix .
great idea!
I think I’d find it difficult though, as I walk with two Nordic poles because of my osteoarthritis in both ankles. So my focus is now taming a feral dog, who’s coming on leaps and bounds. So it seems I’ve gone from horses to dogs. 😂
I have a friend who has osteo in spine and she still riding her horse but not jumping nor running, just slow walking. Just sharing her experience I'm not sure if it is wrong.
I think you have got to do your own risk assessment, be anware if anny risks and do what makes you happy in life.
Exactly, makes us happy in life
I am 65 and still riding. My horse threw me off in 2020 and I broke my hip. Required having a total hip replacement. Odd thing is that no one suggested a DEXA scan although I fell on a hard dirt road and it probably was inevitable. So finally asked for a scan last July and was totally surprised to find out that I had OP🥹
But my horse and I finally regained trust in each other so I’m still riding with a spine score of-3.2. Another idea is doing liberty training which is really fun
any good news???
Priolia injection & side effects 
Naproxen for fracture pain
Biophosphates- Risedronate and letrozole
