Many people dream of riding a horse like a knight in shining armor and riding it everywhere from childhood. Some people also take this hobby seriously and hone their skills by becoming professional horse rider. While riding a horse is an exhilarating activity, if you do it incorrectly you can cause pain in your knees. If your knees hurt after riding a horse and you want to find out why, you have come to the right article.
Why do my knees hurt when I ride a horse?
There can be multiple reasons why your knees hurt when you ride a horse. Below are the top 4 reasons.
1. Wrong riding position:
This is a mistake that a lot of new-comers make; grabbing the horse with their knees is wrong as inner thighs should be grabbing the horse. Your knees should be beneath your hip by design, but when the horse is jumping, your knee location will change and so will your hip position. Thus the ideal position is to have knees below your shoulder when your horse is jumping. You should make sure that your knees are hanging freely and not pressed up tight against the horse’s stomach.
2. Wrong ankle position:
If you have ever rode with an instructor, you probably heard them say “heels down.” Instructors say this because when your heels are up and your toes are pointing downwards, your foot is locked in place. In this situation, when the horse starts to pace up, or the road gets bumpy, your toes will be frozen in one place and will not be able to absorb the shock. This, in turn, will move the shock to your upper body, causing your position and the seat’s position to move, which will put more pressure on your knees. Thus, this can also be one of the reasons why your knees are hurting.
3. It can be natural:
Not everyone is made the same and thus some people might be more at risk for knee pain naturally. It may be that you have a burning sensation in your knee or that your knee is hurting due to other reasons mentioned in this list. Many people also go through this problem and it is alright to contact a doctor to take a look at your knees.
4. Feet sliding in the stirrups:
This can also be one of the reasons why your knee is hurting when you ride a horse. The stirrups are designed to balance your feet in them and to move your foot in accordance to the movement of the horse. However, when your feet slides, it disrupts the whole balance of your body and the position of the seat. This can cause your feet to get jammed in the stirrups. In turn, this causes intense pressure on your knees, which can be a cause for knee pain.
Conclusion:
It is not rare for someone to have a hurting knee when riding a horse. This problem is most prevalent in beginners. However, it can also effect professionals who have been riding the horse for years. Hopefully are list of reasons will help you find out why your knees are hurting when you ride a horse. If you are going to ride a horse for the first time, try to go with someone who has a lot of experience.
Are you interested in other horse articles? Check out: Why do Wild Horses Not Need Shoes?
