horseback riding

I recieved my ICD in June 2010 and was told by the surgeon not to ride a horse. I am 68 and have rode all my life. Has anyone else been told not to ride. I still continue to ride but not like a did before the implant.

6 Comments

Horseback Riding

by SMITTY - 2011-12-29 04:12:46


Hello L J Gates,

Unless your Dr knows something you cannot tell us I don't understand why he says no horseback riding. Unless he is afraid you may fall off and hurt yourself and the PM.

I'm not an avid horseback rider but since I have a granddaughter that raises horses I do get on one whenever we visit her. The last time was Thanksgiving. I've had a PM since 2000 and have ridden some every year and if it ever caused me a problem with my PM I didn't know it.

Good luck,

Smitty

Riding

by mike thurston - 2011-12-30 02:12:53

I imagine Doctors have to cover their rear ends when giving out "this is o.k. vs. this is not" advice. Also some are more conservative than others. I do what I enjoy, rock climbing, mountain biking etc. and try to be careful. Still I have had some pretty good wrecks along the way. Smitty hit the nail on the head.

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by ElectricFrank - 2012-01-01 06:01:29

I should have added that the one thing to be careful of for a few weeks is reaching or stretching the pacer side arm. this can pull on the leads before they become well seated in the heart. I would expect that getting on the horse would involve this sort of activity.

This is what I meant by being reasonable.

If you are out my way, I always pull off the trail and let horse back riders enjoy riding by me. It's a great way to get around. My only problem is that there isn't an ignition switch to turn off a horse when parked. LOL

frank

Me too

by ElectricFrank - 2012-01-01 06:01:34

I'm 81 and getting nearer 82 by the day. I've had a pacemaker since 2004, and enjoy Jeeping on some rough trails. It's probably a rougher ride than a horse due to the mechanical nature.

Like Mike, I've taken a few good spills along the way mainly from hiking cross cross country in the desert. On one occasion I slipped on a small rock and landed with my large camera between my pacemaker and the ground. Neither the pacer nor the camera were damaged, but my dignity suffered.

You will find a definite split here on the site between those of us who are reasonable, but "go for it", and those who "follow doctors orders" and are scared most of the time. I haven't noticed much difference in outcome other than how much fun we have in life.

frank

Ride on!

by cbaker - 2012-01-01 11:01:23

I suspect it was a recommendation into which the physician did NOT put a lot of thought, and horses are big and scary to many people, so the recommendation may have been one of those "default" reactions (say no if you don't know what's involved). A lifelong rider certainly has the judgement (horse sense? ha ha) and the experiencence to be as safe as one can be under the circumstances, so barring flat racing or steeplechasing, what could be especially dangerous for an ICD user??? Hmpf. Good luck to you -- I envy those of you who can ride regularly!

Hi Ho Silver!

by mrag - 2012-01-26 07:01:28

If really concerned, ask why in particular no riding and or ask another doctor. Other than you MIGHT get a shock, MIGHT pass out, MIGHT fall off (high) horse and break something other than the icd, what's the big deal? I try to avoid high ladders for those reasons, but that's just me.

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