| When you have a disease that affects your joints, it | | | | with Rheumatoid Arthritis. |
| is important to keep the joints gently exercised to | | | | Now I am lucky as I have a horse at home. I have |
| reduce inflammation and pain, and to also prolong the | | | | invested in stirrups that absorb some of the |
| useful life of the joint. Use it or lose it is a popular | | | | movement of the horse, so reducing the impact on |
| phrase that can apply to so many things, but | | | | my joints, and a saddle that is soft to sit in, again |
| especially your body. | | | | absorbing some of the movement so my joints don't |
| It is difficult to find a balance though. Push yourself | | | | have to. I also have reins with special grips as |
| too hard and you can cause more damage, or do | | | | sometimes my hands don't work as well as they |
| nothing and you will gradually cease up. One exercise | | | | should. Sometimes, when I'm really in pain, the |
| that is often overlooked is horse riding. When riding a | | | | thought of riding fills me with dread. But, as long as I |
| horse in walk, the movement in your body actually | | | | recognise my ability level for the day (jumping and |
| mimics the movements your body would make if it | | | | galloping when your back and hips hurt tends to |
| was really walking, without the added pressure. Horse | | | | make things worse not better!), then I always feel |
| riding is used as a remedial aid for disabled people, | | | | much better after riding, and in less pain than before |
| but can also be useful for those of you out there | | | | I started. |