Excruitating pain after riding?

[broehain61]

Hello, I quit riding for a couple years due to some personal things but I've started again. My knees are unbearably painful after riding for a couple hours. I ride western so it's not like they are bent unnaturally. I put this here instead of health because it mostly happens when I'm riding which I suppose could be a saddle problem but I don't understand what. I haven't grown any as I'm an adult and this saddle is the one I always use. About two hours in I have to get off my horse and my knees wobble and on a pain scale of one to ten I'd put it as a nine, it has me in tears. I don't know if it's an injury or something or if I should even go to the doctor if they would know what to tell me. It does happen when I'm driving sometimes too but not nearly as bad. I'm way young it just doesn't make sense. Maybe you won't know how to help me but I'm just hoping to find someone who has been through something similar.

[bronsin]

Hello, I quit riding for a couple years due to some personal things but I've started again. My knees are unbearably painful after riding for a couple hours. I ride western so it's not like they are bent unnaturally. I put this here instead of health because it mostly happens when I'm riding which I suppose could be a saddle problem but I don't understand what. I haven't grown any as I'm an adult and this saddle is the one I always use. About two hours in I have to get off my horse and my knees wobble and on a pain scale of one to ten I'd put it as a nine, it has me in tears. I don't know if it's an injury or something or if I should even go to the doctor if they would know what to tell me. It does happen when I'm driving sometimes too but not nearly as bad. I'm way young it just doesn't make sense. Maybe you won't know how to help me but I'm just hoping to find someone who has been through something similar.

I have experienced something similar and have never had it checked. I always assumed mine is arthritis which is not uncommon in riders of almost any age that have rode or ride quite a bit. Riding western can be hard on joints, I myself run barrels and poles. I take painkillers for mine, you may need corrective surgery, that is also not uncommon in many riders. I've known quite a few people who have gotten corrective surgery simply so they could keep riding. I would definitely go see a doctor about this problem.

[nicolas]

I don't know your age but it may be due to arthritis.
Have your knees xrayed to see if there is any deterioration.
I have lengthened my stirrups one notch and now have stirrups with a wider bottom to disperse the pressure as both my knees are now almost bone on bone.
Arthrits knows no age.
I was diagnosed when I was 32 and have deteriorated since!

[wal49]

If it is when you are riding western then I'm going to say it is fender torque especially with how young you are. When I ride in a western saddle where the stirrups aren't properly turned I end up with it. Usually if I'm riding in someone else's saddle without properly turned stirrups I just don't use them or else I have major knee issues within 15 minutes of riding.

Here is a great webpage on how to turn your stirrups
http://www.cowboyway.com/HowTo/TurnStirrups.htm

I'd try turning your stirrups and see if that fixes the problem. If not then you may want to get a Dr's opinion just so you aren't damaging your young joints, but turning your stirrups fixes the issue for many western riders.

[drystan]

I would assume that your stirrups may be to high which is causing your legs to bend more than they should.

Either that or something is wrong with the fender. But that pain usually is natural sometimes too ;)

Good luck!