Crap from the barn

Fantus MD, FACS, Richard & Fildes MD, FACS, John (2007). NTDB data points: Horse sense.    

     Equestrain Medical Safety Association, XIX(3), 5-7.

This article addresses equine related injuries and the occurance rates. More specifically, back and neck pain.  This reading provided, for the first time, actual statistics pertaining to how often back pain occurs and compared different age groups. Equestrain athletes are three to fives times more likely  to have back pain than the general population. This increases with age and those spending more time in the saddle. The incidence of spinal disease in jockeys and professional horsemen that spend more than five hours in the saddle per day was more common.

According to the table contained in the article, back pain increase with age.  This leads me to conclude that physical fitness is a factor in lower back pain. Most adults over the age of 30 are not as strong and physically fit as their younger counterparts. The percentage is not overwhelmingly  significant.  Pain in felt in 73% of those under 30 and was felt in 80% of those over 30 that were tested.

The final conclusion of the article brought forth several interesting considerations.  The first was that a strengthing program is essential in reducing lower back pain. The reading also concurred that there are limited studies on riding pain.  Lastly, an interesting point made was how often those that do not take daily care of their horse experience lower back pain compared to those who do.?

It offered supportive evidence of the significance of lower back pain in equestrian athletes. Core strength was mention as a vital factor in lessening lower back pain. In addition, ideas were gather for charting information to be gain in the research process.