Hey Twisted. I thought I would make a new topic as I didnt want to hijack the photo thread with my reply!

Yeah I did a lot of eventing with him, luckily with alot of determination I decided not to sell him and he has adapted to me very well. It was the getting on and off bit that took the most work but have it down to a fine art now! He has his moments of where he doesnt do what I ask and I lose balance but generally he's a good boy! Whats ur horse called? I dont think Id be brave enough to try and ex racer post SCI but then again Iam riding an ex eventer. I was never the best showjumper, only ever jumped upto 3ft6 which was high enough for me lol. Cross country on the other hand was great fun. You should definately post some pics up. Warmbloods are lovely beasts great for dressage! Murphy my horse is only 15.2hh Thoroughbred x irishdraught, he isnt really built for big expressive paces for dressage so have to work that bit harder!

Emma

Ah, oh my, horsey talk, I'll never shut up now!!!

My beautiful boy, Bear (kind of funny, my horse in the old days' name was Bear, and my current horse's name is Teddy!), was (is, because he is still alive) a 17.1 hh Dutch Warmblood gelding with an amazing bloodline, a gorgeous Bay--he was almost black and was the most fearless, intelligent, incredible horse. You could put the craziest obstacles in front of him and he wouldn't even hesitate. I would have trusted that horse with my life. I was aiming to take him into the Grand Prix circuit eventually, he could EASILY have begun to jump 6 feet plus the widths. I was a highly aggressive rider with soft hands who refused to beat the hell out of horses like some of the other high level riders did... discipline is one thing but the horse world can be a seriously ugly place and I always struggled with how horses are seen not as living breathing creatures but as money making machines, whether in the show world or in the racing world. It just about broke my heart to have to sell him but he would have gone insane rotting in a pasture somewhere, he needed someone on the high levels to continue to ride and show him and keep him going. I have only been able to bring myself to go visit him a couple of times because it's really really difficult for me to see him.

My current horse, who I also adore, is a 9 year old chestnut Thoroughbred named Teddy. He raced as a 2 and 3 year old, had the big Thoroughbred bloodlines, but just didn't run fast enough and so was unwanted by the owner/breeder. He is an extraordinarily talented jumper but he had a bowed tendon from his racing days so he really SHOULDN'T jump the big jumps (he doesn't jump the big ones with me, I let some of the girls at the barn jump him occasionally). I adopted him from a Thoroughbred rescue. I was there with my ex husband, not really intended to get a horse again, literally took one look at him and said "I want that one". He was completely untrained for riding, especially for a person in a chair riding him! He's about 16.1 hh or 16.2 hh. We can't figure out which one--he's basically right in the middle of that and is the biggest character ever. He's really intelligent, picks things up in an instant, and I have been told over and over he has the cutest face in the barn!

Teddy and I had to do a lot of trial and error to build up our relationship. I am stubborn and was determined to try and do everything the same way I did it before my SCI. It took me a while to realize that there are some things I can't do and I'm still kind of struggling with that. I had to have friends at the barn work with him a lot to get him trained for regular English hunter style riding and THEN I had to get him used to me being on him. At first, he HATED it. He didn't understand why my legs flopped against him, and would keep bending his head back to look at my feet! I use very little adaptive equipment to ride so this has resulted in a LOT of falls. Me and my riding coach (though I currently don't show) worked on creating some straps that we use to keep my feet in place. Other than that, I just use a regular close contact jumping (Richvale) saddle that I have put a Cashel pad on in order to prevent any skin issues when I spend a lot of time in the saddle and rely on balance to stay on. Unfortunately, he is a typical Thoroughbred and spooks at EVERYTHING. When I'm thrown down, and he decides to bolt (he's getting better at this), I can't get up and most times, someone in the arena is able to stop him for me but other times, it has resulted in nasty falls (most recently a concussion and a bruised spine).

I have actually attempted to jump him and been successful at it. I don't do it often as I can't get into two point and it's realllllly not safe for me. I just grab mane and let him do his thing. I was previously jumping 5 feet, though not consistently and I showed between 3 and 4 feet. Teddy is a HUGE jumper, he tends to rock back and fly over the jumps so even when we do a tiny little 'x' jump, it feels massive. I have successfully done 2 feet with him, it was scary as hell but I loved it. I don't know any other SCI person who jumps post-injury. Maybe if I get the saddle a little more adapted I can jump more. Not being able to get into two point position is a problem though. Also can't do a posting trot and I HATE sitting trot so I mostly just either walk or canter--occasionally let him stretch out and gallop around the arena. He has a beautiful floating gallop and I love when he really lets himself out and does the gorgeous long stride beneath me. We also ride outside a lot with friends at the barn which has helped him overcome his spooking issues.

He now responds to my voice when I say "walk", "trot", or "canter", or "halt". He also picks up his feet when I touch one of them and say "up" so I can clean out his hooves easier. The owner of the barn where I board him built a special w-chair ramp thingie/mounting block that I line Teddy up with, go up on, and pull myself onto his back. Again, this took training as he would walk away when I wasn't quite on and I'd hit the ground like a rag doll. I need someone to help me off of him usually but one of the dudes at the barn is usually around to lift me off. I'm lucky in that my barn is really easy-going, laid back and anyone is always willing to offer a helping hand. I can't tack him up without help because he's too tall (you'd think I'd have been smart and gotten a shorter horse!)

I've come to the point in the recent months where I can admit how much I miss the way I used to ride, doing the big shows, the big jumps, being all crazy. It cuts pretty deep. I've moved on and do my own thing in my own way but I miss it a lot. Even typing that out is hard for me! I'm really stubborn and don't like to admit stuff like that, heh. What I love about riding now though is how free I feel on him. Even when he's spooking. Even when I'm falling off and hitting the ground. That horse has done immeasurable things for me. And the physical benefits of riding are HUGE. My muscle mass is awesome simply because I ride almost every day, sometimes 2 hours a day. The muscles are being worked without me really knowing it and I really think it has helped me get some function back, especially hip/ab/trunk. Plus balance. When I first started riding post-SCI, it was so bizarre. It didn't feel right at all but my body--and Teddy--adjusted. Now he totally babysits me and I'm sure he knows that my body is 'different' from other riders and compensates for it. He's much less psychotic with me than he is when I let some of the other girls ride him for fun. It's kind of funny. I wouldn't recommend getting a racer Thoroughbred to anyone else with an SCI though. They're not easy! I can tell you some horror stories about some of my experiences with him. He used to be afraid of my chair when I first got him!

Here's a pic from the weekend with me and Teddy. Teddy was literally half-asleep and I am bent over kissing him on the neck. Getting back up again was ridiculous. But, as I said, he is know used to me and doesn't freak out when I'm doing weird shit on his back. As you can sort of see (sorry, it's a bad cell phone pic), I use nothing on my upper body and upper legs to keep them in place. I just use the velcro straps around my feet and stirrups which release in an emergency (with enough pressure, ie. from a fall). I will try to take some pictures of those for you next week. Just use regular stirrup irons.

I have tons of pictures of him but they are all bigger than the 200k limit. I even have some movies of him--some of me free running him in the arena and some of him cribbing. He's a cribber unfortunately.

Told ya I could talk forever about horses!
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Teddy is cute and it looks like he is in deep sleep. You got to be light weight Mimi, so he doesn't even feel that you are sitting on his back.

Yeah, I think Teddy appreciates that I'm about the same weight as a jockey. I don't think I'm much more than 100lbs.

Bloomin heck that was almost a book lol!

Its really cool having some one to share para riding talk with! I dont use much adaptive equipment, I have a handle that attaches to the D - rings on the pommel for balance issues, and straps that go from girth to stirrup, oh and also rubber bands to hold my feet in place. I use normal irons aswell although they are the mountain horse SCS irons and the riding boots that match so the treds interlock and suppose to be secure! Apart from I use my voice and two long crops! Ive also jumped post SCI but it was only a foot if that. and it was scary as hell, i landed on his neck first time round, so decided that folding forward wasnt the best approach. But i agree with you on the jarring of the horses spine, I hate to think that I would hurt his back! But its fun now and again. My main focus is para dressage! Have you looked into the para showjumping assosciation? You will definately need to post pics of the straps would be interesting to see! I designed my own mounting system, with the help of my dad, a blacksmith and some funding, so I can transport to competitions and training! And can use it my regular yard, insteasd of the local therapy centre! I love going out for hacks/treks with friends its so relaxing. Murphy tends to spook alot out hacking though! haha!

I will need to find a picture of me post SCI on him to, got plent of me pre injury though.

I used to do a fair amount of 3 day eventing although dressage bored me and my horse! My forte was show jumping and would do 4ft3 - 4ft9 in competition.This one is Harley, he is a warm blood, he could jump 5 ft easily!Click to view attachment

This is Dillon and sadly my reason for being here! I used to think he could jump anything I pointed him at, I retract that statement now! He was a bit of a Heinz 57 as far as breed goes, fair amount of anglo arab and a few other bits n pieces a pretty flighty horse, I spent a lot of time on him, he is just a youngster but had great potential.
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Is that you on Harley? he's a handsome chap! and Thats a huge jump wow! I dont have any pictures of the horse I fell off, he was a 14.2hh irish cob, and a friends horse at that! Dont think I would have been able to get back on if it had been my own horse Id fallen off. Thankfully it wasnt!

I have to say I was never a huge fan of dressage always did it to get to the jumping phases of ODE's and 3DE's but I wish Id taken more time to teach Murphy better dressage when he was younger. He's still learning well now though. I guess im learning to love Dressage now, although I do miss the more thrilling things like galloping across a field or jumping over big fences.

So you guys both got your SCIs on horses? Were you jumping when it happened? Riding is a dangerous sport no matter what people say.

I'm not a dressage fan either. I get bored really fast doing dressage. And I haven't really got into any of the paradressage stuff but I didn't actually know there was a parashowjumping thing! I know about the paraequestrian association in Canada but they don't really mention showjumping, it's all dressage. But, I'd be more worried about the horse's spine than myself, not being able to get off his/her back properly and up into two point. Do you guys also call it two-point position (jumping position) in the UK? Jumping post-SCI is kind of frightening because I end up high on his neck and he rockets off of his jumps which makes getting up and steering a big problem. I would eventually like to do a bounce but need to figure out a way to jump safely. Usually someone in the arena needs to be ready to catch him for me in case I lose control. Yikes.

Nice pic of Harley, Trin! My ex husband has a lot of pics of me pre-injury riding and showing so I've asked him to bring some over. He was my biggest fan and supporter at the shows, took lots of pics in the last year that I showed pre-SCI which was when we met. You rode again for the first time recently, right Trin?? Tell us about it, that's amazing!

Doodle, was thinking about getting a different saddle, something with a little more support instead of a close contact. The Richvale I have was custom made for Teddy so it fits him beautifully but I'm thinking of getting a Bates. Falling off so often is really not good for me. I'm thinking of maybe doing a handle/D ring type of thing on the pommel as well and enlisted the help of a few other horsey people to come up with ideas that could work. Do you tack up independently? It drives me nuts that I can't reach, trying to think of ways to tack him up without help. For the stirrups, I just use these Connemara ones and during the winter I wear Ariat's Bromont boots (helpful because they zip up the back) and in the spring/summer just a pair of old paddock boots and whatever half-chaps I feel like wearing that day--I find that my old leather/suede Ariat mix ones work best for helping to keep my leg in a good position, they just stick like glue.

Were any of your horses cribbers? Teddy is a cribber, typical of most former racers, and I have been trying EVERYTHING to curb the habit. He currently wears a cribbing collar and I've got him on some probiotic/ulcer soothing supplements. Thoroughbreds are not easy keepers, particularly ones who crib. Keeping weight on him is a real bitch.

I was riding on the flat in the arena. The pony I was on reared up and over balanced backwards resulting on me falling off and then him shortly following. He then got up and looked at me as if say "what are you down there?" Pretty sure my back broke before he landed on me though, he just added insult to inury.

The para showjumping is open to all disabilities like para dressage, but I havent looked into it much! Yeah its 2point over here aswell and 3point for cross country! and i too cant get into 2point postion, i did shorten my stirrups to see if that would help. I just help on the balaning strap with both hands and lent forward a wee bit, the taking off was good but the landing is where its hellish bumpy, and i cant steer either!

I currently use an Albion GP, its quite forward cut which i like as it sits me back on my bottom, I did try 2 different dressage saddles which I hated as the forced me into too much of a straight postion and made me sit on my fork too much which made me feel like I was going to fall forward all the time! maybe with a saddle being specifically design for me would be better! It was actually a bates innova saddle i tried that i didnt like but then SCI are so different it might suit some one else.

I bought the handle out of a horsey shop, it is just a normal handle that anyone can use if they feel wobbily. but I know people use or come up with many different things that work for them! I can tack up independantly apart from putting the saddle on, once its on I can manage the rest, he's pretty good about getting his bridle on!

I use ariat chaps aswell they are pretty good, and they are quite old but i love them! my competition boots zip up the back aswell makes it easier to get them on.

No but A friends horse that used to be at the yard cribbed and they used stuff that put on fence posts and anywhere where they tied the horse so that it tasted disgusting and believe me its absolutely disgusting. I got it on my hands once and it wasnt good!

Someone at my barn had a similar accident as yours, Doodle. Luckily, she walked away from it (after passing out with a concussion--she wasn't wearing a helmet). She was going over some canter poles, pulled up too hard on the reins, her mare reared and went over on her backwards. I have had a horse fall on me (pre-SCI) a couple times and it ain't pretty. 1100lbs of flailing horse limbs is never a good thing.

I shortened my stirrups once to jump but that ended up making me completely unstable in the saddle and I almost bounced out, hung onto the side of his neck and somehow bounced back in. Not only does Teddy have a massive, popping jump, he also has a bouncy trot and canter--another reason why I hate to do a sitting trot on him. I feel like my teeth are rattling out of my head! On the landing, my ass flies up into the air and I have no control. It looks ridiculous and scares the hell out of people. I can set him up perfectly for the jumps but the two point (or lack of two point, I should say) is the big problem. I watch people do the big jumps at my barn and it just makes me yearn for it. I miss that awesome feeling of being right over a big jump, realizing you're several feet up in the air on a living breathing creature, floating over the fence, feeling all that power beneath me.

I don't like dressage saddles either (tried a Bates). I'm used to the close contact jumping saddles. I admire high level dressage riders, I think what they do takes incredible skill and patience but it's really just not for me. I don't feel the need to spend 8 hours a day working a piave, haha. I'm trying to get my hands on a couple different used Bates to try them out and see how they work. Forgot to mention that I also usually ride in full seat breeches, as opposed to just knee patch (though I ride in these too--and have even ridden in my pajamas. My barn is really laid back and pajama-clad riders isn't that unusual). Full seat breeches help keep me in the saddle I find.

As far as Teddy's cribbing goes, I've tried the anti-cribbing sprays. They don't work. He ignores them. He's THAT determined to crib.

Yep, that was at an indoor showjumping event in 2006, can't remember the height we were jumping!



I got my sci jumping but not in competition, just messing about with my friend. She had excellent facilites where she kept her horse, a huge areana with fabulour jumps. I was attempting to jump a triple jump, probably about 4 ftish jumped the first fine, slightly misjudged the second and clipped it and completely fluffed the third and crashed and burned!

The photo that I posted was actually my second time. I went for the first time not long home from rehab and hated every moment and said I would never do it again. It was petrifying but I wanted to try. This time it went better, I was a bit more confident plus I am stronger and my balance is a bit better although I still felt very unstable however I haven't tried with any sort of adaptive equipment. It is not something that I plan to do regularly but knowing that I can do it was a huge confidence boost!

I have never had a horse that cribs, have you tried cribbing collars? I know thats it's a really bad habit to try and cure though! I am looking for some pictures of some of the other horses I've owned, I have a video of me jumping my old horse Zoe, I think my mother must have all the photos stashed somewhere.

I was a big fan of combinations but had my worst falls going over them. One misstep and it's all over. As I was saying in another post, my goal at some point this summer is to do a bounce but I don't know if this is actually going to happen without me being completely unsafe. Not sure if it's worth the risk. I'm glad your second time riding went better! It was really frustrating when I first started riding again. I felt completely off and unstable. But, like with AB riders who first start out, balance only comes with time.

I have a cribbing collar on Teddy. He wears the Miracle Collar. Not sure if you guys have that one over in the UK. The only time it really stops him is when it's done up super tight and then I'm not comfortable doing it up that tight because he's obviously uncomfortable. So it's done up mid-way where he can open his mouth to crib but can't physically do it. I have seriously tried just about everything to stop him from cribbing--sprays, distractions in his stall like balls and Lick-Its, PVC pipe on his stall door, different collars, keep hay in there constantly. At my barn, the horses go outside first thing in the morning and stay out there til it gets dark (or unless someone brings their horse in to ride, heh) and they have big hay round bales in their paddocks so it's not like he's in his stall all day. I've never actually met anyone who has successfully stopped a cribbing habit. And Teddy is ridiculously determined to crib.

I just got my Derby House catalogue in the mail. I wish we had Derby House here in Canada, some of the blankets (you guys called them "rugs"!) are awesome. Teddy ruins all his blankets within a season. I bought him four new blankets--two indoor Amigos, a Weatherbeeta rainsheet, and a Bucas heavy turnout and they're all ripped, muddy and disgusting. He's a total pig outside and playfights with all his buddies who share his paddock. He actually gave another horse in the barn a hematoma a few weeks ago.

Soooo... I decided that today was going to be the day that I attempted a bounce. Total f*@king disaster. Came off over the side of his neck after the second fence. He went over the second fence but at that point I was already up on his neck, ass in the air and had lost all control. I actually made a makeshift jumping strap that I put around his neck but it didn't help. Pretty frustrating. I just suddenly decided I was going to try it today and see what happened. He was being kind of a dick and spooking at stupid things (a LAWN CHAIR by the outside of the barn) so maybe I'll try it again when he's super mellow. It's just that he's such a big jumper and the rocking back and launching himself over the jumps makes the jump so much pop-ier than it really is.

ur brave, i can only just cling on over one small cross pole let alone a bounce. But by the sounds of things he obviously doesnt help the balance thing with his huge jump lol! Good luck for next time. Maybe having ur saddle adapted in some way at the front would help? something to help u stay more upright so u cant fall forwards? Just thoughts!

When I dont do well at something, I get all cuckoo about HAVING to do it right so I'm totally tempted to go up to the barn today and keep trying until I win and do the bounce. I'm trying to maintain a voice of reason and tell myself that it's not worth it but it's totally a stubborn mindf*@k thing at this point, like I gotta prove it to myself that I can do it. Know what I mean?

I had the jumping strap on there and even though I held onto it and grabbed mane, I still came off. I was hoping that his take-off into the second fence would be what threw me back upright and I think I can manage it if I just get the timing right, if that makes sense. I have an eventing vest that I'm going to put on if I go up and start trying to work on it. At least that'll pad me up a bit better

I did the bounce!!!! Took a few days, only two fences, and it wasn't pretty, involved many falls and almost-falls, but I did it and I'm pretty impressed with myself I need to work on it a lot more to make it more controlled as opposed to hanging on for dear life but I'm just happy I accomplished it. I needed to prove to myself that I could.

Still think you're crazy
Whadya tryintado? Break ya friggin back?

Wooooohooo! well done! your far braver then I will ever be! but saything that Im far more stupid than i thought, its on my todo list now!

You guys are the only ones that have congratulated me! Everyone else I know is giving me shit for being an "idiot"! I wore my eventing vest doing it. It's well padded. No one really gets why I felt the need to do this but I have a really hard time accepting any kind of failure and, to me, not doing it once I had started to try, would have been failure.



Well, let me tell ya, it was super awesome. The feeling once I did it was just amazing. I'm pretty sure Teddy was excited because someone said it looked like he was going to buck once we landed it properly and he has a tendency to buck when he knows he's done well. He kept snorting too. It was cute. Once I'm able to figure out how to do it more controlled and not frantically grab mane, I'm hoping to (eventually) add a third fence, maybe a fourth, and go higher. I should also add that I did the bounce at a canter. If you're gonna try it, I think doing it at a trot would be better. I did a canter because Teddy's trot is so bouncy and I have a hard time staying in the saddle. We tried setting up a pole before the first fence but he leaps over poles at a canter and this didn't work out well. No poles and we did the true bounce of no strides in between the two fences. I'd say the jump was about a foot and a half or so, maybe slightly less so it was pretty small. When you told me you did a course the other day, I now want to try a course--only I'd have to do it at the canter instead of the trot because of the bouncy trot issue. That would be interesting.

So, all in all, yeah maybe it was a bit nuts to do it as taking that many falls (my ribs hurt even with that vest, heh) is not the greatest of ideas but I'm still on a cloud about doing it!

I had one of the girls at the barn try to take some pics of me going a jump with Teddy with my cell phone. They didn't come out very well as it happens so fast that my shitty cell phone camera couldn't really capture it but here is us doing a little 'x'. You can see what I mean in the pics when I say he has a massive jump. He is turning that little 'x' into a giant jump just by his rocking back and popping up. Luckily, he doesn't have a hard landing and is pretty springy otherwise I'd be toast because I tend to fall forward so much.

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And the view from the top!

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I can't believe how brave you lot are!! I'd love to be able to get back on my horse, apparently there isnt a way-but we'll see.... lol I done my injury jumping over something that was probably a bit big for my horse, I can honestly say when I get back in the saddle it's dressage from then onwards lol

Thats awesome mimi. teddy does look like he has a MASSIVE jump in him! Heres to starting a revolution in paraplegic showjumping lol.

And Daniel where there's a will there's a way! I have my own transportable mounting equipment which would probably work well to get u on a horse with little help with the transfer! And im pretty sure there are RDA centres with electric hoists to get u up there, it would just be the matter of staying up there. Thats really cool that u do carrige driving and in hand showing, do u personally do the in hand showing? Its cool having another horsey person on the forum, and ur from the UK woohoo.

You can do it and get back on your horse. There IS a way! Have you tried looking into therapeutic riding programs in your area? Most people I know think a para can't jump a horse but me and Doodle jump our horses all the time so where there is a will, there is ALWAYS a way.



That picture of us going over the 'x' makes me laugh because he is jumping so high he could clear those barrels on the side! That horse just loves to jump and fly through the air. It's incredible. Most horses would just step over a little jump like that. Not Teddy. He's a definite 'go big or go home' type of horse--which is probably why I love him so much. Hell yes for a para showjumping revolution!

Daniel, like Emma said, there is definitely a way for quads to ride, I've seen pictures. And you can also try carriage driving! I love seeing the big draft horses like Percherons and Clydesdales do the carriage driving. Those horses are so insanely big!

Hi girls Hope you dont mind me 'jumping'(haha) in, but we wnt to Ingliston Equestrian Centre for lunch yesterday. Heres a link to it http://www.ingliston.com/ WE have been 3 times now, and the food is amazing, and very reasonable. A friend was competing in dressage a couple of weeks ago and I think she won with her horse, and came 3rd later on on someone elses horse that she had not ridden before. Anyway, yesterday there was a jumping competion on, and the horses were huge. I was terrified just watching some of them go over the jumps. If you guys can do that then you are far braver than I could ever be! Next time I will take my big camera with me and try and get some pictures for you all.

Sounds fun! Jumping isn't at all scary if you learn how to do it properly. It's much easier than it looks to jump--especially if you have a really talented jumper horse. It's just a matter of setting them up and being balanced. I do find that most horses seem larger to me than they would to someone who stands beside them. Looking at some of them from my chair makes them look giant. We have a new horse that just arrived at my barn who is this GORGEOUS Hanoverian and he is 18h high. He's MASSIVE. And he's only five years old! (A "hand" is 4 inches and that measurement only goes up to their withers--doesn't include their head and neck so you can imagine how big this horse is.) Congrats to your friend on placing in the show!

Not being a horsey person, it sseems to me that jumping is never the problem. It's the landing that always gets you !!!

Wow Msg ingliston looks very very posh. I must visit there sometime, and well done to yout friend! Is she able bodied? Im not that brave Ive only jumped a foot post injury, but I suppose confidence comes with time.

I got two 2nd places yesterday at a dressage competition woop woop. Still lots to improve on though!

And Grey Beard it is most definately the landing haha!

Hi Doodle. Ingliston is quite posh, but there is a posh bit to eat and a not so posh bit, so it caters for everybody!! The place is massive, and still seems to be expanding , and even has a nice shop in it. My friend is able bodied, and she does a lot. I think she's been down to England a few times as well. And even if you can only jump a foot, thats still brave. I thought the dressage horses were big, but the jumpers were massive. Some very nice horses (and riders if I'm honest) which I imagine must be very high maintenance. Well done on your dressage results, keep it up.

And greybeard, I know what you mean about the landings being the worst part. There was some I could'nt keep watching after a couple of jumps. But then I cant talk after falling off a quad bike! I cant even claim it was in a bad mood or something !

Hey T.O. I take it when you say withers it means to the top of their back? I see what you mean about sitting in your chair loking up at them, that would be even scarier! Its an interesting way of measuring things by the way, I will need to remember that!!

Actually, that's very true. Staying on is key.



Congratulations!!! That is awesome!!! Ahh, I'm totally missing showing right now.




Yes, the withers is the bone that sticks out at the base of their necks. That Islington place sounds very ritzy. That's the thing with the equestrian world--it can be so overly posh and snobby with everyone competing as to who has the best horses, best riding clothes, best saddles, best everything and that's so not for me. That's why I love the barn that I keep Teddy at--there is none of that dramatic high-maintenance crap which I can't stand!

Well I am inspired and amazed and confused. I am T-9 complete. I have had 4 theraputic riding lessons. The first 2 lessons were good, had walkers on both side and a person leading the horse. Was by the end of the second lesson riding withoug the walkers on each side, holding me. I was really proud of myself, and thought wow I can do this I can really do this. But the third lesson, the spasms in my legs were bad and I could not stay on the horse, the walkers on each side kept pulling my legs down but they would spasm and contract up almost to my chest. The 4th lesson was a disaster. Dissappointed to say the least. Man, reading this stuff, has me wondering how you do it. The PT said that alot of incompletes can put some weight in stirrups if they have movement. Some of the para's have use of their hips which I understand must help alot. My PT basically told my I had expectations that were probably not acheivable.
I have 4 horses of my own, and I plan to ride again. Going to have some surgery to hopefully rid me of these miserable spasms. Then I plan to try again. Would really like to hear comments about leg movement or hip movement for those of you that are riding. I have been riding my whole life 40+ years, I am active and do well and don't understand why I can't ride, or why the PT said I can't do it.
Thanks for any suggestions.

Hmmm. Well, in my opinion, don't ever ever EVER let anyone tell you that you can't do something. I was also told that I wouldn't be able to ride without using a lot of adaptive equipment--but I can. I was told I wouldn't be able to jump--but I do. It's all up to you and if you have the determination to do it, you definitely can. I am a T8 incomplete and I have some sensation and minimal function. I don't any have voluntary movement so I can't move my legs but I can sort of push off them during transfers and whatnot a little bit. I don't put any weight into the stirrups other than gravity. I don't keep my heel down or have a deep heel the way an AB rider would do so my legs kind of flop down against his sides. My abs and trunk are affected by my SCI and while I have some function there too, I fall over easily and have a lot of trouble getting myself back up once I've fallen over onto my horse's neck or whatever. As for hips, I can swing my hips during a transfer and taught myself to do the "para crawl" in PT and at home but that's about it.

When I first started riding, I had major issues but over time my abilities and balance just improved on their own. I get muscle spasms as well. I used to get dramatic bad ones like the ones you describe years ago but for whatever reason, they've kind of tapered off over the years (once I got OFF the baclofen, oddly enough) and now I just get these jumpy spasms. The straps I use to keep my feet in the strirrups prevent them from popping out during the spasms and Teddy just got used to it over time. How is your trunk control? Why was your fourth lesson a disaster? What kind of adaptive equipment are they getting you to use during your lessons? Do you have any function below your injury? I was initially told I was complete when I first got injured and the doctors then changed their mind and told me I was incomplete (I was also originally told I was T7). There are others on this board who were also told they were complete injuries and the doctors switched them to incompletes. How long have you been injured?

And, most importantly, DO NOT GIVE UP. Where there is a will there is a way. You WILL ride the way you want to again. If I can do it, so can you!!! Feel free to ask me any questions you want and I will do my best to try help you out and I'm sure Emma (Doodle) will too.

Okay... super ignorant question, so puh-lease excuse me :]

.... how do you ladies get ON the horse?

Sorry, I told you it was ignorant! I last rode a horse when I was like 9, so I barely weighed anything, and my dad just picked me up and I just hung on as the horse did his thing. Riding has always interested me, to me it feels like another way of walking.

Again, sorry for the ignorant question.

That's not an ignorant question. Different people have different methods and I guess it also depends on injury level. The husband of the owner of the barn where I board my horse actually built me my very own ramp/mounting block. It's a chair ramp that ends in a platform that is about level with Teddy's back. I line Teddy up with the platform on the ground (I did train him to stand there and wait for me to get up the ramp but it's much easier if someone holds him while I get to the platform as he still sometimes walks away while I'm mounting). I go up the ramp, get as close to his back as possible in my chair and very ungracefully haul myself on top of him. I pick up my right leg and sort of swing it over him, grab his mane and pull myself on. I've also been lifted onto his back. I'm not very big so it's easy for a taller person to lift me up and on. I've heard of people using various hydraulic systems to mount on as well. I think Doodle uses a hydraulic system.

I have ridden just about my whole life but after my injury, riding became a huge source of freedom from my chair for me. It's the one time where I can completely leave my chair behind and still be completely mobile and just about like any able-bodied rider. I'm always searching for ways to feel free of my chair and riding really helps me feel that. Plus, horses are just plain awesome animals and lots of fun to be around.

On one of the ends of my street, there is this house that has like 30 horses, and on the other end of the street they have like 6 or 7. Then theres like 3 houses in between that has 2 or 3 horses. As you can see, I'm surrounded by them. I think they're one of the most beautiful animals out there. When I was weighed in the hospital I was around 100 lbs, and when I was released, they told me they thought I weighed less because of not eating/sickness. So If I were to ride, I would probably make people put me on the horse, lol.

I think my only issue is falling. I HATE it. I still use my tip bars. It isn't that I get "hurt", it just scares the S#!T out of me! Haha, and here I am reading your posts "Oh yea, I fall a lot!" I'm sitting here questioning how on earth you can deal with that! Lol.

Heh, well, I fall a lot because I do some really retarded things that I probably shouldn't be doing. Riding can be perfectly safe. There is always a risk of falling no matter what you're doing as horses are large animals that can be unpredictable but I'm not afraid of falling and I'm also used to it. There is an old saying in the horse world that you're not a 'real' rider until you have fallen off 100 times! You should totally get into riding. It's super fun.

Falling is a part of the learning curve whether it's riding, another sport, doing wheelies, etc. You should just bite the bullet and take the anti-tippers off your chair. Chances are you are not going to fall over. Be brave, girl! Life is way more exciting that way!

I dont have any leg movement when Im on the horse, same as mimi - gravity is the only thing in the stirrup! Being L1 incomplete I dont suffer from spasms which im sure helps alot, I have trunk control aswell although nothing in my lower back so I also fall forwards on to my horses neck if I lose balance. Balance is something that took alot of time to get for me, even now if I have to take a break for a week or 2, my balance goes to pot! I completey ignored anyone's comments on not riding and Im glad I did, Ive gained so much from my horse, muscle tone and balance being main things. Horse riding is used for physio, so i dont know why your PT would say that, If you can get on and off then why the hell not!!! I use some adaptive equipment that helps me lots. And also have been riding my whole life and work with horses before my injury, so was my reason for living, and no plans to ever stop it! I never had a PT to help me when I first started again, granted I was led and had walkers aswell and then it progressed from there. Where are you from??

I have really good muscle mass mostly because of riding. I still do PT twice a week but riding almost every day is what has kept up my muscles and my trunk balance improved a lot when I started riding regularly again. Balance also took a long time for me and at the beginning, it kind of felt like I'd never be able to ride but I'm persistent and pushed through it. It definitely takes some time.

I've been riding less the last little bit since I'm having trouble with this bruise right on my butt bone and all the motion/friction from riding definitely isn't going to help it heal. I use a Cashel pad on my saddle but I'm thinking of maybe switching it to a sheepskin pad to get a little more padding on there. I spend so long in the saddle, especially when the weather warms up and I go on loooooong hacks out in the fields and forest and I want to make sure my skin is adequately protected. Do you use anything to pad your saddle seat, Emma?

I dont use any pads on the saddle. I had contemplated it at the beginning of riding but after building up time in the saddle never had an issue so far anyway. TOUCH WOOD!

Yikes, yeah, knock on wood! I've never had an issue as a direct result of riding but I don't want the saddle to aggravate an issue, if that makes sense.

Yeah that makes lots of sense. as it is a hard surface for sitting on! But then again I always used to find my saddle comfy (when i could feel my ass) No better place in the world than on your horse. How is your bruise doing anyway? you managing to get any riding done?

Bruise still not looking so good but I think I'm going to do a bit of a riding this evening. I get all freaked out and feel clausterphobic in my chair when I haven't ridden for a few days. Chair starts to feel like a cage or something I probably won't ride for too long because I am worried about that bruise.

I'm actually having an issue with Teddy right now. I usually get someone to come with me and help me bring him in from the paddock because it's difficult for me to lead him and try to get through the grass/mud in the paddocks because it's a big trek from his paddock to the barn. Plus it's dangerous for me because he spooks at the drop of a hat and I can't just jump out of his way and am directly underfoot. He's turned into a total dick when coming in from the paddock. The barn workers take the horses in and out every day because they spend the day outside and he's causing a real problem for them as well. The grass has just gotten very green and lush and he is literally bowling people over, stepping on them, and being completely belligerent to get to the grass he wants--and he's dragging people. This isn't so bad when there's someone else helping me out or when it's one of the barn wokers who can quickly get out of his way when he's doing this crap but the couple times I've brought him in when there's no one around, he's practically dragged me out of my chair/stepped all over me! I've given him crap and yelled at him, which freaks him out and he smartens up, but it's getting ridiculous. I'm thinking that today I will bring a crop out there with me and smack him with it when he tries to rip my arm off to get to the grass. I take him out there and let him graze in-hand for 15 minutes but apparently it's not enough for him (plus he has grass in his paddock!). Any ideas for what to do?? I find it's a lot more difficult to discipline from a chair because he start to dance and prance around and I do not like to hit the crap out of a horse as some people would.

Pics from today, not the most elegant or flattering photos in the world but who cares, at least I didn't fall off!
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OMG, Trin!! That's FANTASTIC!!! You look great! It's a hard to tell from the pics but did you use any adaptive equipment? You and I are both T8 so whatever you used, if anything, may help me to fall off less.

I had to glance twice at those pics, that looks exactly like the horse I get a weekly lesson on at my RDA centre!

And thats brilliant Trin! How did u get on this time round?

I didn't use anything, i actually got rid of the stirrups after a while and found that I was actually far more stable., even if i was slightly more flappy!


Not toooo bad! lol. I did walk trot and a bit of canter before I completely lost my bottle! The horse is my friends, she responds pretty well to voice commands, well my friends voice anyway, she completely ignores anyone else! She's not looking to enthralled in having someone bounce about on her back but when we got to the yard she was completely sparked out in her stable and totally non plussed about being woken!

Riding stirrup-less is great for getting a nice, deep seat and balance. Sometimes after the end of my workouts with Teddy, I go stirrupless to cool him out and I always feel nice and secure. I guess it's just gravity working it's magic. I'm really impressed that you are already cantering again! It took me a while to find my balance at the canter!

I've been taking a crop with me out to the paddock the last couple days and that thing, even just sitting in my lap, is working wonders. Teddy's belligerent grass-eating has mellowed out. I was super impressed with him today as when we were riding around in the arena, a bird flew through the open back doors and dive-bombed right around his head and he didn't even react. I reacted! It scared the shit out of me! I am completely shocked that he kept his cool and didn't spook! Ah, I love that horse.

LOL balance was something that was an issue! I refused to do anything round corners as I'm sure I would have flown straight off! Just a little cantering down the long straights! I def think the gravity thing works with no stirrups plus I was paranoid that if I did fall off I would end up being dragged along the floor with my foot stuck in the stirrup!
Cantering has never felt sooooo fast!

Glad Teddy has started behaving himself! Gotta show him who's boss!!!

I will have to try cantering stirrup-less over the weekend. I haven't done it yet, only walk and trot. I hate sitting trot on Teddy so I try to avoid it. I swear I bounce like 4 inches out of that saddle during the sitting trot because he's so bouncy. I figured I'd feel less secure at the canter while stirrup-less but I should have known that gravity pulling my legs down will naturally create a deep, secure seat. Right now I'm working a lot on the transition from walk to canter with him. He always picks up the right lead--and when he doesn't, he knows it and fixes himself--but he throws in several strides of trot ("supertrot" as I call it, because he knows I want him to canter and does this weird fast wind-up toy trot before picking up his canter). I don't carry a crop when I ride and rely solely on voice but I might try the crop. Pre-injury, I rarely rode with a crop and relied on leg, leg, and more leg but now that doesn't really work out, heh. He is also really stubborn about going into frame so I'm trying to work on that with him as well. He's definitely NOT a hunter. A jumper all the way. We'd probably not even place in Hunter flat classes at shows because he just doesn't move like a good hunter should. He prefers to race around and fly over jumps, haha. I need to start getting him more level because I think it will create a calmer, less spooky emotional state for him. A level horse is a happy horse.

About being dragged: I have the velcro straps around my feet and I've never been dragged. They always release when I fall off. I've been dragged pre-injury though. Not fun. Go figure! You'd think the velcro straps would create more of a risk for being dragged but nope. Knock on wood!

Hey mimi, did u ever try the stirrupless cantering?

And Trin how did you mount and dismount the horse? if you dont mind me asking!

Nope, haven't tried yet. I actually forgot about! I will give it a go when I ride tomorrow. This afternoon I gave Teddy a bath. It was exceptionally hot here today and he was racing back and forth in his paddock so he needed a bit of a hose down. He's not really a fan of the hose so he dances away from it when I'm spraying him which is a pain in the ass. I usually get someone to hold him still for me but there was no one around. If it wasn't so annoying it would have been pretty cute. I'm actually starting "charm school" work with him because he needs a refreshment course in his manners as well as some work on his spooking issues. So "charm school" is just groundwork stuff and desensitizing stuff like getting him to walk over big crinkly tarps, waving strange/loud objects near him, etc. I think it should help.