A Disc Herniation And What Not To Do As A Horse Rider

Many horse riders suffer from lower back pain, with the disc being the most commonly injured structure. Unfortunately, most medical professionals err on the conservative side, often telling riders to “never ride again.”

I was one of those riders. Most medical professionals do not understand the passion we have for our horses. Giving up is not the first option.

Your Path Back to Riding

As a Physiotherapist and a rider who has personally suffered a disc prolapse, I know that being told to “give up” is devastating—and often unnecessary. The key is understanding the biomechanics of the injury and using specific movement patterns to return to the saddle safely.

 Acute Care

• Correct Acute Care: Utilise appropriate pain medication, heat, and posturing. Follow medical advice.

• Red Light Therapy: This is a “must” for inflammatory control, nerve repair, and tissue repair.

• Appropriate Rest: Give the disc time to settle without losing all activity.

• Lumbar Support: Use a brace to protect the area during your daily activities. (Life goes on).

• Appropriate Movement Patterns: This is extremely important for horse riders because of the specific movement required for riding.

Long-Term Recovery & Rehab

• Early Core Engagement: Start from day one (I can show you exactly how to do this safely).

• Rider-Specific Movement Patterns: Use drills tailored to rider biomechanics.

• Symmetry Training: Address movement imbalances to prevent future injury.

• Daily Routines: Managing pain and strength must be a daily commitment.

Should You Wear a Back Brace for Horse Riding?

The Answer is YES. In the early stages of recovery or during a flare-up, protecting your spine from sudden movements is vital. Protecting your spine from becoming TOO protective is essential. While the goal is to build “internal” core strength, wearing a support can help “save” your back from increased pressure while riding or during heavy stable work.

Physio Tip: A brace should not replace your muscles; it provides the spinal stability needed to prevent further herniation while you heal.

View the Mini Back Brace for Riders

Core Strength: Overcoming “Core Inhibition”

“No pain, no gain” is dangerous advice. Every person who suffers from back pain will experience “Core Inhibition.” This is when your brain stops the core muscles from firing correctly to “protect” the area.

If this inhibition is ignored, your rehab will fail. Generic gym exercises are a start, but they do not prepare your body for the specific demands of a moving horse.

Stop Guessing Your Rehab

Stop listening to poor advice.

Stop following Google’s advice.

Start following expert advice.

If you are ready to start a program designed specifically for the rider, explore my specialised courses:

• Applied Posture Riding Membership Program: My full guide to rider biomechanics. With full support!

• Short Online Courses: Targeted training for core activation and muscle strength testing.

Accelerating Healing with Red Light Therapy (RLT)

While posture training addresses poor biomechanics, which is likely the cause of your pain, we also need to manage the symptoms of inflammation. Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation) works at the cellular level to accelerate nerve repair.

• For the Rider: RLT helps reduce the “sciatica” (radiating pain) and helps the disc material resorb faster. Please note that not all red light pads offer the correct wavelengths for nerve pain.

• For the Horse: If you have been riding with a “bad back,” your horse has likely been compensating, which can lead to muscle tightness or a “cold back.”

I highly recommend using my custom-designed pads. Daily use is ideal for optimal management, supporting your body’s movement and energy. The Equine pad is custom-designed for deep-tissue absorption and nerve-tissue activation.

Explore Red Light Therapy Pads for Horse & Rider

Look Good, Feel Good, Ride Well.

Watch this video for more information about Back Pain and horse riding.