22/05/2026
Most riders believe their lower back is a ‘problem’, but often it’s the area which is compensating for elsewhere in the body.
Especially when:
The hips feel restricted
The pelvis lacks movement
One side of the body is taking more load than the other
The body is struggling to absorb movement efficiently
Over time, the lower back starts working overtime to create stability and control.
As a result, riders start to feel:
Tightness
Stiffness
Fatigue
Tension through transitions or sitting trot
Feeling braced in the saddle and working against the horse
Not because the back is weak, but usually because it’s overcompensating.
As osteopaths, we assess how the body functions as a whole, because the area causing pain isn’t always the area driving the problem.
