Stitch in stomach when riding?

Question

Sometimes when I ride, i get a painful stitch in my stomach, is there a way to prevent this?

Answer 1

We've all been there and I'm not sure how to stop it. If you have ridden for a long time then I'm not sure. But while the horse flu was on I stopped riding for about 2 months and when it cleared and i begun riding again, I got stitches regularly too but they soon stopped.

It could possibly be from muscle development but I'm not an expert on this.

Answer 2

I got them all the time; you have to stretch before you ride. I started stretching when I got them, and it helped a lot. Now I don't have time, and I get them sometimes. I do think English riding has something to do with it, because none of my western friends get them. If you ride many horses in the same day it could be cuz your muscles are tired. Also, try keeping hydrated and don’t eat 30 min before your gona get on. That could be the problem.

Answer 3

I get them too.  I don't know about for everybody, but for me, I feel that it's a fitness thing.  I'm out of shape a bit, and when I started riding around full courses again, and really pushing the horse, I was overusing muscles that hadn't been used in a long time.  I am starting to build of them now, but I still get them all the time.

Imagine if you were just to go running or swimming or something you don't normally do all the time, you'd get that stitch too, but with enough time and training, you build out of it.

Answer 4

There are several possible causes of this:

1. You're concentrating and are forgetting to breathe enough. This is more common than you think. Try taking deep breaths and thinking of breathing while your trotting or cantering.

2. You are dehydrated. Also common, but mostly in summer. Try and drink plenty of water.

3. You are doing exercises that are really pushing your muscles in addition to one of the above. Usually when stregthening your abs they don't end up in a stitch unless there's another reason as well.

I personally usually get them when I forget to breathe. I concentrate quite hard and just neglect that part! I have gotten them from dehydration as well though. Good luck!

Answer 5

I get these too, but it's always at random moments so I can't really tell you what causes it. I only seem to get them while trotting (maybe it does have something to do with posting then), but if I get one, I'll just go back down to a walk for a few minutes and bend at my hips forward and backwards to loosen up my stomach. They usually go away after just a couple minutes and then I can resume with my ride.  

Answer 6

i used to get that all the time! ugh i hated it haha i think its because u dont have enough water in ur system try only drinking water for 24hrs before ur ride and lots of it and it will help thts wat i do haha =]] OH AND remember to BREATHE your muscles cant work right unless ur a re remembering to stay relaxed but with a posture and breathing...i remember wen id get tense or REALLY focused and it would happen so...

AA =]]

Answer 7

Don't eat just before you ride - give it a good couple of hours without eating. Sit up and remember to breath.

I think AA is right too - about drinking water but not too much or you'll have to get off to go pee !

Answer 8

I get those to when im trotting...it feels the same way wen you jog for a while...so i asked someone at my barn and she told that your exercising your muscles. But she may have been wrong im not sure...but i hope this helps!

Answer 9

I remember getting those when I was A LOT younger..happened when I ran barrels and poles...as I got older, they went away.   So, whether or not it's age related, I can't say for sure but I think so....

Answer 10

I get them when i eat something before i ride and do sitting trot

when it happens you should stop and not keep on riding because that really makes it worse.

just sit in the saddles and take some deep breaths

hope it goes away