Horseback Riding With A Pacemaker: Exercise Caution

The past few articles have focused on pacemakers and summer activities, as well as the potential dangers that people with these devices may face while partaking in them. It can generally be agreed that pacemakers are and often are absolutely necessary pieces of medical equipment required to maintain the heart’s function. However, while they are designed to be sturdy and resilient, such devices are not perfect and can be susceptible to damage due to overuse and abuse resulting from excessive activity, especially during physically taxing and potentially hazardous activities. With this in mind, let’s continue this summer series and discuss horseback riding and pacemakers. Without further ado, let’s strap on the saddle, grab the reins, and take off toward an answer to whether or not it is safe for people with pacemakers to ride horses.

Personally, as a child, I was explicitly advised by a team of medical professionals against participating in this sport. This was due to several factors, including my short arm, blood thinners, and my pacemaker. I was also small and rather frail, so there were several layers of concerns to be addressed.

As I said, I was ‘advised’ against riding horses. However, that doesn’t mean I followed the rules. I worked with miniature horses on a miniature horse farm, drove little carts, and even rode big and miniature horses from time to time. And now, as an adult, when given the opportunity, I still ride. While I do go against doctors’ orders and participate in this activity, and still do when I can, this does not mean that I advise others to do the same. Nor do I regret my decision to do so. It just means that I was fortunate that nothing went wrong.

I find the risk to be occasionally worth it for me, but I am informed on the matter and prepared.

However, it is worth noting that horseback riding offers numerous cardiac benefits. According to the article 6 Benefits of Horses, being around and riding horses has been proven to improve cardiovascular health, burn calories, lower blood pressure, and generally relax the nervous system (www.heart.org, 2024). Therefore, proving the cardiovascular benefits of equastiranism on the individual.

That being said, there is a difference between someone with a general heart condition and someone with a pacemaker, because another layer of medical concern is added, especially in ensuring the safety of the device and, by extension, the safety of the individual. This is because horseback riding is not a passive activity, but involves active movement. Granted, the range and intensity of it depend on the comfort and expertise of the rider and the horse. Therefore, there is a potential danger, and in this case, with a pacemaker, the threat of danger is still ever-present. But can be medically accommodated before the individual partakes.

A journal article, The Effects of Equitation (Horseback Riding) On A Motion Responsive DDDR Pacemaker by G.A. Lamas and J. M. Keefe, states that, “a graduated sensor indicated response to increased motion levels during equitation was observed in a patient in whom a motion-detecting pacemaker was implanted. Programmable parameters affecting sensor function were preset according to the sensor response observed during the patient's own slow and fast walk” (Lamas and Keefe, 1990). This means that even with a motion-sensing pacemaker, a slow and fast-walk gait did not cause harm because it was preset to detect and accommodate for this change. However, cantering or galloping may potentially jostle the device’s location and may lead to damage. Again, this is theoretical and depends on the health and physical situation of each individual.

Therefore, this further emphasizes the importance of discussing one’s condition and intention to ride horseback with one’s doctor before doing so, to ensure that one’s device can accommodate the situation and does not impede or endanger the individual during the experience.

However, in my experience, while the pacemaker itself can be programmed not to be impacted by the motion caused by horseback riding. The rest of the physical body, including the cardiac system, should also be considered if someone has a pacemaker. I speak from experience, as my pacemakers and the wires are sensitive to motion. This is why, in my experience, horseback riding, jeeping, and snowmobiling are uncomfortable and even painful for me because of my wires and my pacemaker.

These three activities are necessary to use modes of transportation to reach remote locations and to enjoy an outing with friends and family. However, in all three of these activities, I experience a very similar pain in my chest, caused by the pacemaker device and the wires, but also from the muscles and veins around them. The jerky movement of my body is too fast for the embedded wires to adjust to quickly enough. This leaves me very sore for days after the event.

Personally, I find this discomfort to be occasionally worth it, especially when on a beautiful trail, riding a spirited animal, and in good company… but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. However, that is not true for everyone. My point is that while the device itself may be safe, depending on its type, age, and settings, there is a risk of an additional layer of physical soreness due to the implant and the surrounding area.

In my experience, this has become more of a problem for me as I have grown older, and my veins have become more scarred due to the repeated system implantations. While physical therapy has helped it, perhaps this is more of an issue with people who have had multiple pacemakers and wire implants. I’m not certain. Has anyone else experienced this?

Furthermore, there is the potential danger of injury, and the potential severity of the injury should one’s device be damaged. Should one’s horse spook, they fall, or be struck by an animal, the device itself may be damaged. This is why it is advisable not to ride alone. In addition to the obligatory helmet, I would recommend that someone with a pacemaker wear a padded vest beneath it. Not something that would impede movement, but something that could provide a bit of extra cushion in case the worst should happen.

In summary, horseback riding is a physical sport that has cardiac benefits; however, there are extra factors to consider if you have a pacemaker. One should consult their doctor before participating in the activity, as there is a chance the device itself may not accommodate the new motion, and their physical health may also be too poor. Another factor that I have experienced is extra pain in the site, which is caused by a side effect of the surgeries. However, considering these risks, I believe that a person with a pacemaker can horseback ride, but only after being informed and weighing the risks with their medical professional. Then and only then should they saddle up and ride into the sunset.

Would you agree?

Ride safe and ride well, my friends.

Reference List

Lamas, G.A. and Keefe, J.M. (1990). The Effects of Equitation (Horseback Riding) On A Motion Responsive DDDR Pacemaker. Pacing and clinical electrophysiology : PACE, [online] 13(11 Pt 1), pp.1371–3. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-8159.1990.tb04010.x.

www.heart.org. (2024). 6 Health Benefits of Horses. [online] Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-bond-for-life-pets/pet-owners/horses-have-heart/6-health-benefits-of-horses.

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