I started riding 4 years ago (early 30s) and for about a year now have had major problems with my adductors... inner thigh pain getting on the horse and very stiff for the first few minutes, pain while riding which sometimes improves and other times doesn't and agony on dismounting! It's been kind of sporadic in that sometimes I find the muscles settle and I am OK but other times it is worse.

I started physio last summer, mainly hydrotherapy, but it didn't really help. I tried a new physio recently and had acupuncture which initially helped but then, over time, stopped being effective. However, she gave me some good stretches and I have been stretching for at least half an hour a day for about 2 months now.

Then last week I got on my horse and felt a muscle "go" and now have a nasty groin strain. I've rested it for 5 days now. Initially I couldn't even walk up and downstairs properly but that is better now so it is on the mend.

If anyone has any advice on other ways I can overcome these problems I would appreciate it. I have tried a lot now and I do stretch regularly (pretty painful stretches they are, too!) but my adductors are very tight and are affecting my riding, which is very frustrating.

One thing I am wondering is whether my stretches are effective as they mostly involve sitting down whereas riding, contrary to what people think, is like standing up in terms of the riding position.

I hope someone might have some ideas for me.