New to Osteporosis: Questions, support and tips

I am also going to chime in on your decision. I feel you have to weigh your love for riding and your mental health. I am sure there are cushions or some kind of back brace you can wear to still enjoy the love you have for your horse and remain safe in case you have a fall. I wish you well on your journey, we are all here to support and educate each other. Those of us that have been dealing with this diagnosis for many years have all had to compromise on what we have given up versus what keeps us happy and sane.

Welcome @drcvs there are a lot of great comments and suggestions here. I am not going to tell you what you should do. I am just going to tell what I have done and do now. I am a horsewoman to my toenails, which are crooked these days from horse steps. Lol
After years of breast cancer treatments, I found out I had osteoporosis when I bailed off of a spunky youngster and broke……….everything.
Since then I have contained my riding a bit more. I have a husband with bone cancer and worry about what if I were really broken, like paralyzed broken. Who would help him?
I refuse to live my life in fear. I do take bisphosphonates to help my bones be stronger. I don’t ride young barely broke youngsters anymore. I do ride in arenas and around the property, but never on roads. I do care for my horses and I enlist young women who might love horses but cannot join horse ownership yet in helping, and I teach them horsemanship and riding in return. I have found that a new pair of boots on the birthday or Christmas is the most appreciated gift.
I spend 4 or 5 hours a day with my horses and most day one or both of the girls. All of this exercise is also bone building, as walking is the best thing for your bones. These thing keep me as strong as I can be in mind, body and spirit.
Have you considered upping your game with international agility, it’s a blast and can build bond off the saddle? Is there a local arena where you might join like minded people for a weekly riding fun day?

Can you try ground exercises with your horses instead of riding? Teaching them (and you) how to do activities in an arena can strengthen the bond between person and horse. There are some free suggestions online and of course oodles of books/videos one can buy on how to do various training exercises.

If you want to ride, would a vest help protect you? Would you be able to find a small gaited horse that would be smoother to ride and a shorter fall down if one should happen? Could you find a horse that is as bomb proof as possible? Could you limit what you do with your horse, as in walking trail rides over smooth terrain or riding in an arena with soft footing?

I have the same issue. My horse is 16.1 and has a huge trot (former dressage horse). I rode a little after my diagnosis. Then ironically I fell in Walmart and hurt my back. I haven't ridden since then.

Oh I’m so sorry about your fall!😢
Yes, ground work is daily, I am a big believer in that, too. I did consider a Missouri Fox Trotter (shorter, smooth). Today I almost rode, short easy ride. Wind gusts 11th, and changed my mind. I need to really rethink what I’m doing. You are a big help, thank you!

Wow!! You’re inspiring me! I’ll have to check into the international agility. My 16 year old mare I will never give up, but the two year old “wild” mustang I’m not sure. She’s absolutely wonderful and calm as a cucumber. She’s bonded beautifully with my menagerie of animals. But I need a two year old like a hole in the head. Thanks for everything you shared, you’ve given me much more to consider. I’m sorry your husband is going through cancer too! I wish you both the best!

Your doctor ONLY recommended 1,000 vitamin D3? First of all, your doctor needs to do 25- hydroxy D test to measure your levels. You could be very deficient. My doctors recommend 4,000 MG a day, taken with a meal containing healthy fats.

My D3 level stays stable around 50, with 3,000 units a day.

Yes, that is a good level. Mine is 60nmol/L.,with 4,000. I always tell my friends to get the vitamin D3 blood test. Out of 7, three were below the low normal of 30mol/L. They were all told by their doctors to take 800-1,000mg. A male friend had to badger his doctor for 3 years, for the test. He is a large man, who lives in sunny California. His levels were 12mol/L. When he started taking the correct dose for him, his pains in his legs disappeared.

@maggieb892 This is great information to share for @drcvs . I was going to suggest getting the parathyroids checked. My mother had a parathyroid problem that was pulling calcium out of her bones for years while she was on Fosamax. She developed severe osteoporosis and has had spontaneous fractures occur. I was at her house helping put groceries away when her foot broke which I think was spontaneous because she did not trip; she just fell over on her side, hit the floor and her pelvis broke in 3 places. This lead to 3 months in a rehab nursing home. A few years later, there was a spontaneous spinal compression fracture that happened without falling. She was referred to an endocrinologist who specializes in osteoporosis, and she said that with a parathyroid problem like hers, the 10 years of Fosamax wasn't helping and was not the best way to treat her condition. This might be something to consider in getting an opinion with an endocrinologist instead of a primary care physician because they look at this in more detail. My mom is 93 now and the foot/pelvis fractures happened 8 years ago. The endocrinologist did monthly injections of Evenity for a year that she has just completed. The best choice would have been daily injections of something else, but because she doesn't drive, the monthly program was begun instead because no one lives close enough to drive her to an appointment every day.

FYI, I love horses too and own a small Tennessee Walker. I am a spine surgery patient, and trail riding helped me recover in healing from a cervical fusion. I share your love and inspiration for horses, and I loved the picture you posted. That says it all. I do always wear work boots with toe protection in case of getting stepped on. One time my older horse (on my avatar picture) didn't want to cross a tiny creek and I was leading him from the ground. Then he jumped it and his hoof landed right next to my foot, and I realized what a risk I had taken. Have you thought about being closer to the ground with a mini horse with a cart and driving? You can do that on some trails, but not the hilly ones. I haven't done that, but they are so gosh darn cute!

@drcvs Wouldn't the chores in taking care of horses help your bones because it is weight bearing exercise? (In addition to medications of course) I do them too as payment for board for my horse.

Every person and every situation is different. It may be that 1000 units per day was appropriate. Just like 50,000 units a week was appropriate for my husband for a year, then dropping to a slightly lower dose. My doctor keeps close tabs on mine because it’s low, then it’s too high, then it’s low again.