[cas]

hi, thought id join this "select"group!!! on may 28th this year,whilst competing at a show my lovely 4 year old horse came over backwards and landed on me. i broke t11,t12 and l1- a complete injury and severed my cord at t12. i broke all records i think and was discharged from rehab after 9wks and 3 days- back to my husband and 2 gorgeous children of 5 and 3. 6 months on-im doing ok, life is pretty much back to normal doing the school run etc.....it just takes a bit longer!!!-and no horses,-sadly i had to have my beautiful girl who i fell off put to sleep in september at just 4yrs old, absolutely devastating as id had her since a foal and hoped to ride her again. but i am determined to ride again, i have been classified by a physio to do paradressage, so im just waiting until i heal!!!! its just over 6mths since my accident and my back still hurts.......but soon.....hopefully!!!!

[Doodle]

cas, on Dec 7 2009, 09:29 PM, said:

hi, thought id join this "select"group!!! on may 28th this year,whilst competing at a show my lovely 4 year old horse came over backwards and landed on me. i broke t11,t12 and l1- a complete injury and severed my cord at t12. i broke all records i think and was discharged from rehab after 9wks and 3 days- back to my husband and 2 gorgeous children of 5 and 3. 6 months on-im doing ok, life is pretty much back to normal doing the school run etc.....it just takes a bit longer!!!-and no horses,-sadly i had to have my beautiful girl who i fell off put to sleep in september at just 4yrs old, absolutely devastating as id had her since a foal and hoped to ride her again. but i am determined to ride again, i have been classified by a physio to do paradressage, so im just waiting until i heal!!!! its just over 6mths since my accident and my back still hurts.......but soon.....hopefully!!!!

Good to hear your doing well. And even better that you have already been classified. I didnt get my national classification until Feb 08, 2 years after my accident, and I just got my international classification this summer.

Are you from the UK?

Best of luck for getting back on board!

[Maltese Cat]

HI,

my boyfriend is an L1 complete, and he used to ride occasionally before his injury. I love just to hack out, and he will sometimes come too on his quad bike, but I would love to get him back in the saddle one day - people can be much more pro horses crossing their land than quad bikes!

his worries are: the horse may stumble and he will fall. He doesn't want to risk injury as he works really really hard at getting recovery in his legs, and it would set him back so far. i realise there is always some risk when riding, even if you're on something totally bombproof, but was jsut wondering how well balanced you feel when you are just out walking? i would imagine that a western style saddle may feel more secure than an English one?

Also, how do you cope with the pressure issue? Do you have pads on your saddles? or sheepskin?

I realise I probably wont persuade him to try this any time soon, but would love to know how it might be possible.

[cas]

hi doodle- yes im from lancashire. i was graded at 1b -what about you?? is the international classification different.

this is probably a daft question to ask- but as an l1 incomplete what kind of feeling / movement do you have. also do you use a chair or walk? i know everyones sci's are so different, but it interests me especially when you are obviously doing so well with your riding. sorry so many questions!!

[Doodle]

Maltese Cat, on Dec 8 2009, 06:35 PM, said:

HI,

my boyfriend is an L1 complete, and he used to ride occasionally before his injury. I love just to hack out, and he will sometimes come too on his quad bike, but I would love to get him back in the saddle one day - people can be much more pro horses crossing their land than quad bikes!

his worries are: the horse may stumble and he will fall. He doesn't want to risk injury as he works really really hard at getting recovery in his legs, and it would set him back so far. i realise there is always some risk when riding, even if you're on something totally bombproof, but was jsut wondering how well balanced you feel when you are just out walking? i would imagine that a western style saddle may feel more secure than an English one?

Also, how do you cope with the pressure issue? Do you have pads on your saddles? or sheepskin?

I realise I probably wont persuade him to try this any time soon, but would love to know how it might be possible.

Your right that there is always a risk involved when you get on a horse. Balance was something that took a while to get, definately more balanced in the walk but I even fell off in may when my horse decided to spook and spun! There are different aids you can try to help with balance, I use a pommel strap that I hold mostly in the trot and canter, but you can get saddles adapted raise the cantle to provide more back support, and also for the legs to help hold them securely. I have only tried western once and it was many years ago as a kid, But the western saddle would be more secure, But the horn might be an issue when he is trying to get off the horse.

I havent had any problems with pressure on the saddle, I built up my time in the saddle from 10mins to 2hours. I havent used a seat saver up until the end of this summer when I decided to use one purely to protect my saddle. I would be more inclinded to go for the gel seat saver range, as sheep skin can flatten and wear down.

I would say at L1, he would have good abdominal muscles to help with his balance. If you can persaude him, its great sense of freedom moving without an engine or wheels!

This post has been edited by Doodle: 08 December 2009 - 07:39 PM

[Doodle]

cas, on Dec 8 2009, 06:59 PM, said:

hi doodle- yes im from lancashire. i was graded at 1b -what about you?? is the international classification different.

this is probably a daft question to ask- but as an l1 incomplete what kind of feeling / movement do you have. also do you use a chair or walk? i know everyones sci's are so different, but it interests me especially when you are obviously doing so well with your riding. sorry so many questions!!

I was classified at grade 2. No the international classification is a similar process, just that there are 2 physio's present, one of which has to international. Being graded internationally allows you to be eligible for squads and international competitions and also confirms you national grade!

Even though Im an L1 Incomplete, Im pretty much complete in the sense I can't walk or weight bare, I have some sensation and motor function. I have hip flexors and some quad muscles! So I definately use a chair! No problem with the question asking.

Did you compete in Dressage before you accident?

[cas]

hi -yes i did a tiny bit of dressage before-but mainly showing. Id had a fab year on my mare - she was superb for a 4yr old-so quiet. We had been pretty much unbeaten- and just before my accident i rode at my first royal windsor-where she won a huge class and i had to ride in the championship in front of the queen!!! But then she slipped-and the rest as they say is history!!!! did you fall off jumping?? i was really interested in the pic of how you get on- if i compete again it will be with mymum and sister as normal-so no great hunks -i cant work out howid get on and off!!

[MxDisasterGrl]

hey guys, i'm from the states, and i know nothing about all the classification stuff you guys are talking about, but i'm just excited to see horse talk somewhere...I had to get rid of my beautiful boy....he was a proud cut appaloussa, beautiful, but too spunky for someone after injury. Although i really don't think he would ever have hurt me or given ME probs, but he was more like MY horse and didn't like others too much riding him, ya know? So i think when i got hurt and was gone for so long he got upset and funky acting. I had to get rid of him because the doc said riding again would be the dumbest thing i could do. But you guys are riding, and i'm thinking that if i got an old very tame horse i should be alright, right? hmmm...something for me to think about again. I'm exciting w/ just the thought. I miss my Tejean (i called him te te). I didn't name him. So do my kids, but maybe it's hopeful to get back on. I have pics of mine on my facebook page...i'll see if i can post it on here...done..lol

he's only 15 1/2 hds high, but i'm not into the throroughbreds like you guys, i just like to trailride up and down some good hills and creeks. He was never spooked and my bf had a 17hd thoroughbred that would jump at the slightest anything...my old man would go thru whatever i put in front of him...gosh i miss 'em....
i couldn't sell my saddle and other tac, so maybe that's a sign...i NEED to go ride again...

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[Doodle]

cas, on Dec 9 2009, 09:09 PM, said:

hi -yes i did a tiny bit of dressage before-but mainly showing. Id had a fab year on my mare - she was superb for a 4yr old-so quiet. We had been pretty much unbeaten- and just before my accident i rode at my first royal windsor-where she won a huge class and i had to ride in the championship in front of the queen!!! But then she slipped-and the rest as they say is history!!!! did you fall off jumping?? i was really interested in the pic of how you get on- if i compete again it will be with mymum and sister as normal-so no great hunks -i cant work out howid get on and off!!

Hey Cas!

Wow thats quite an honour, and well done on your success! Hopefully you will be just as successful once your back on board! No I wasn't jumping, I was schooling a friends horse on the flat, and he reared up and over balanced, I fell off and he followed shortly after!

I havent got any great hunks who help me on or off either! Its simple once you get a technique down! I spent many a night in the spinal unit inventing ways of how I was getting back on my horse! They actually make eletric hoists to help you on and off, a similar idea to the hoists you get from your OT. When I first got on a horse after my SCI, i basically got lifted it on. And eventually worked out how to use the arena wall, as the indoor school at my RDA centre, had a viewing gallery which on the seated side was the same height as my chair and the arena side was the same height as the horse, so was a straight transfer across! Which then got me thinking I would need some way of getting on my horse at competitions, thats when we came up with the Pic above!

And to get off I couldnt get my leg to stretch behind the saddle as you would normal dismount, so we brought the leg round the front as if you were going to do half scissors, then you on your stomach on the saddle and at this point some one has parked your chair and then they can guide you down! Its a bit scary at first, but after you get the hang of it, its not so bad!

Hope that makes sense!

[Doodle]

MxDisasterGrl, on Dec 15 2009, 07:51 PM, said:

hey guys, i'm from the states, and i know nothing about all the classification stuff you guys are talking about, but i'm just excited to see horse talk somewhere...I had to get rid of my beautiful boy....he was a proud cut appaloussa, beautiful, but too spunky for someone after injury. Although i really don't think he would ever have hurt me or given ME probs, but he was more like MY horse and didn't like others too much riding him, ya know? So i think when i got hurt and was gone for so long he got upset and funky acting. I had to get rid of him because the doc said riding again would be the dumbest thing i could do. But you guys are riding, and i'm thinking that if i got an old very tame horse i should be alright, right? hmmm...something for me to think about again. I'm exciting w/ just the thought. I miss my Tejean (i called him te te). I didn't name him. So do my kids, but maybe it's hopeful to get back on. I have pics of mine on my facebook page...i'll see if i can post it on here...done..lol

he's only 15 1/2 hds high, but i'm not into the throroughbreds like you guys, i just like to trailride up and down some good hills and creeks. He was never spooked and my bf had a 17hd thoroughbred that would jump at the slightest anything...my old man would go thru whatever i put in front of him...gosh i miss 'em....
i couldn't sell my saddle and other tac, so maybe that's a sign...i NEED to go ride again...

Definately something to start thinking about again! My doc's weren't overly keen on me getting back on, but they said to wait a year after being discharged. But little did they know I had already been on the phone to the local riding for the disabled centre and had arrange my lesson!

An old tame horse is probably a good idea for the first few months while you are getting used to it again! My horse is starting to mellow out at 15. Although I have decided this winter that he needs to start living in again, and he got clipped. He is a different horse now, he is full of life, feels and looks happy! I couldnt sit one side of him the first week, he was feeling a little too well! But im coping!

After my accident, there was no way I was selling murphy, I let my bestfriend take the ride and compete him for 2years while he was still in his eventing career and while I got myself back into riding! And I got on him end of 2007. I love trail riding too, it gives an amazing sense of freedom.

Most definately a sign, if there is a will, there is a way!

[MxDisasterGrl]

I wish i hadn't gotten rid of my te te. I really did love him. He was 12 when i let him go. My kids still hold a grudge against me. But i live in the city, and he was staying out at a cousin's house that already had so many others of her own. And since she didn't have time to ride them all, he was just so lonely and it showed. So i was able to let him go simply because i knew he would be better off. The couple that bought him were sooooo sweet. The woman was super happy about riding him. So, i hope i did the right thing.

Trail riding is the best for me, however i've never done the other stuff. My gf, right before my accident wanted me and her to enter into some barrell racing just for fun...lol, i thought that was halarious, but i was going to try it. Then just a few months later i wrecked on my bike, so oh well...anyways...freedom yes....trail rides. i miss everything about them. Even the sweatiness from you and the horse. Just going and not caring about where or when you're getting back is the best. My cousin would bring beer and get totally wasted, and her horse would ALWAYS keep her on and find their way back home. I don't know how she does it!! lol, but i do miss it soooo much. Sooo.. much...

[cas]

bursting with excitement....so just thought id post!! today ive ridden for the first time since my accident!!!! and it was fantastic!!!


doodle......ive been looking at the pic of the thing you use to mount-is there any chance you could post a diagramor send me a pic-i def need some guidance before i get hubby to build me anything!!! desp need to build something i could put in horsebox if i ever get to dressage!!

ps are u at aintree on wed-im going for a look!!

c x

[Doodle]

Wooohooo! I bet that was the best feeling ever! Actually I dont think I could describe how it felt for me the first time back on was the most bizzare feeling!

I dont have very many good pictures of it, I can find the best ones! Is it a horse box you have or a trailer? Glad to help in anyway!

Well I was hoping to be competing at aintree on wednesday! But ended up having to cancel as there was some rescheduled training on 1st and 2nd of feb which happens to be today! And I havent managed to go because of the weather up here!

I hope you enjoy, I went down to watch the para winter championships last year (to get a sense of what grading was all about and the difference of standred between each grade) and then the festival of dressage - which is well worth a visit this year if you have a day or two to spare.

[cas]

hi-its a horsebox- a 7.5tonne- we didhav an hgv which might hav been easier weight wise but we sold it after my accident! when i rode yest i went up a ramp but 2 people then pretty much lifted me on- cant really have 4 people there each time i ride so how on earth do u manage!! shame ur not going wed-wld hav been fab to meet u!!

[Doodle]

If we could afford it we would have a horse box, as I figure it would be easier to some how have an electric powered seat on the side as it could work off the horsebox power! What is the set up like at the RDA centre? I think i was lucky at the one I got started at, as I used the Indoor school wall to get on, the wall was wide enough to sit on and on the viewing gallery side it was low enough to transfer onto and then on the arena side it was the same height as the horse so it was a straight scoot across and on! The first time i got on, I had to basically get lifted on aswell as we didnt really have a clue at this point!

With my own equipment it only takes one person to get you on! and Getting off now, only takes one person too! So it does get easier once you master a technique which works!

Yes it would have been nice! Im going down to Leicester on on the 21st for the para talent spotting though! well fingers crossed i can if the weather stops being bad! Im really nervous about it as its the first long journey we have ever done and murphys longest journey to! hopefully he behaves!

[cas]

Doodle, on Feb 2 2010, 12:10 AM, said:

If we could afford it we would have a horse box, as I figure it would be easier to some how have an electric powered seat on the side as it could work off the horsebox power! What is the set up like at the RDA centre? I think i was lucky at the one I got started at, as I used the Indoor school wall to get on, the wall was wide enough to sit on and on the viewing gallery side it was low enough to transfer onto and then on the arena side it was the same height as the horse so it was a straight scoot across and on! The first time i got on, I had to basically get lifted on aswell as we didnt really have a clue at this point!

With my own equipment it only takes one person to get you on! and Getting off now, only takes one person too! So it does get easier once you master a technique which works!

Yes it would have been nice! Im going down to Leicester on on the 21st for the para talent spotting though! well fingers crossed i can if the weather stops being bad! Im really nervous about it as its the first long journey we have ever done and murphys longest journey to! hopefully he behaves!

good luck on the 21st!!! - i wanted to go and watch but im going to rehab in cambridge on the monday foraweek so cant have an extra day away from the children. How many tests are you doing down there??/ still trying to work out your mounting block!!! is it attached to the side of your trailer???? fingers crossed the horse im getting on loan is coming this week!! think it will be a few weeks before i get on him myself but really looking forward to getting him. do u manage to look after your horse yourself- mine will be at home so i know im going to have to rely on friends and family a lot!

[Doodle]

cas, on Feb 6 2010, 11:02 AM, said:

Doodle, on Feb 2 2010, 12:10 AM, said:

If we could afford it we would have a horse box, as I figure it would be easier to some how have an electric powered seat on the side as it could work off the horsebox power! What is the set up like at the RDA centre? I think i was lucky at the one I got started at, as I used the Indoor school wall to get on, the wall was wide enough to sit on and on the viewing gallery side it was low enough to transfer onto and then on the arena side it was the same height as the horse so it was a straight scoot across and on! The first time i got on, I had to basically get lifted on aswell as we didnt really have a clue at this point!

With my own equipment it only takes one person to get you on! and Getting off now, only takes one person too! So it does get easier once you master a technique which works!

Yes it would have been nice! Im going down to Leicester on on the 21st for the para talent spotting though! well fingers crossed i can if the weather stops being bad! Im really nervous about it as its the first long journey we have ever done and murphys longest journey to! hopefully he behaves!

good luck on the 21st!!! - i wanted to go and watch but im going to rehab in cambridge on the monday foraweek so cant have an extra day away from the children. How many tests are you doing down there??/ still trying to work out your mounting block!!! is it attached to the side of your trailer???? fingers crossed the horse im getting on loan is coming this week!! think it will be a few weeks before i get on him myself but really looking forward to getting him. do u manage to look after your horse yourself- mine will be at home so i know im going to have to rely on friends and family a lot!

Hi Cas! Thank you! Im just doing 1 test, the PE novice 2010 one. Its not a convential competition. As far as I work out you ride the test in front of 2 assessors, followed by 20min training and discussion! And it split into age groups 10-15yrs, 16-25yrs and 26yrs +. What I will do, since my trailer is home due to it needing repaired. I can take some better pictures for you! The actual seat that i sit on to get raised up is permantently attacted to the trailer, the way it works is the small box (which is hopefully pictured) is full of hydraulic flued and is welded to the chassis. there is a tube that runs under the trailer and travels up in to the ram which is attached beside the jockey door,to get it back down you twizzle the small knob on the box and the only downside is you have to either use your arms and pull the seat down or ask someone to sit on it to bring it back down. The scaffolding you see pictured in the photo further back in the thread was just from a local industrial supplies and we orignally were going to build a wooden wall type thing almost like a gymnastic horse type idea, but opted for the scaffolding, its so light and folds up into the back of the landrover, and we have recently found away to have it on the otherside of the partition so murphy travels with it.

Well Murphy is on full stabled livery! So he gets looked after for me! As I cant get up all the time! We did ask the farmer for land so we could have murphy at home but he was against it. When I go up to ride I can do everything I need to - He lets me lead him, groom him fully, trim him (Apart from pulling his mane and clipping) I have tacked him up on my own, depending on his mood I can get the saddle on but i almost always get help as I worry its not in the right place, But once someone puts it on I girth up etc! And the bridle I have a trick of undoing the cheek piece on the left side, pop the bridle over his ears and sort the forelock and then I open his mouth put the bit in and then do the cheek piece back up! He doesnt help with putting his head down which would be good! Rugging up can be harder when the rugs is wet and heavy especially heavy weight rugs I have fallen out my chair trying to do this, so again I ask for help! but usually rugs arent too much hassle!

Im very stubborn in that I like doing everything myself and get frustrated having to ask for help. If I cant think up a way to do it then I will only then ask for help! And I know Im a nightmare at competitions, as Ive never had or wanted a groom before as I like everything just so. Ive had to learn to get used to one, and lucky in the respect one of the grooms is my best friend and I trust her!

Once you get to know your new horse, get a routine and a bit of trial and error you will be just fine! Just takes a bit of time to work things out! WOW Ive rambled on for ages, I hope you can make sense of what Ive written!

Edited to add Im sorry that picture isnt very clear, I will get some better pictures tomorrow for you!

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This post has been edited by Doodle: 06 February 2010 - 06:43 PM

[twisted_ophelia]

Maltese Cat, on Dec 8 2009, 02:35 PM, said:

HI,

my boyfriend is an L1 complete, and he used to ride occasionally before his injury. I love just to hack out, and he will sometimes come too on his quad bike, but I would love to get him back in the saddle one day - people can be much more pro horses crossing their land than quad bikes!

his worries are: the horse may stumble and he will fall. He doesn't want to risk injury as he works really really hard at getting recovery in his legs, and it would set him back so far. i realise there is always some risk when riding, even if you're on something totally bombproof, but was jsut wondering how well balanced you feel when you are just out walking? i would imagine that a western style saddle may feel more secure than an English one?

Also, how do you cope with the pressure issue? Do you have pads on your saddles? or sheepskin?

I realise I probably wont persuade him to try this any time soon, but would love to know how it might be possible.

MxDisasterGrl, on Dec 15 2009, 03:51 PM, said:

hey guys, i'm from the states, and i know nothing about all the classification stuff you guys are talking about, but i'm just excited to see horse talk somewhere...I had to get rid of my beautiful boy....he was a proud cut appaloussa, beautiful, but too spunky for someone after injury. Although i really don't think he would ever have hurt me or given ME probs, but he was more like MY horse and didn't like others too much riding him, ya know? So i think when i got hurt and was gone for so long he got upset and funky acting. I had to get rid of him because the doc said riding again would be the dumbest thing i could do. But you guys are riding, and i'm thinking that if i got an old very tame horse i should be alright, right? hmmm...something for me to think about again. I'm exciting w/ just the thought. I miss my Tejean (i called him te te). I didn't name him. So do my kids, but maybe it's hopeful to get back on. I have pics of mine on my facebook page...i'll see if i can post it on here...done..lol

he's only 15 1/2 hds high, but i'm not into the throroughbreds like you guys, i just like to trailride up and down some good hills and creeks. He was never spooked and my bf had a 17hd thoroughbred that would jump at the slightest anything...my old man would go thru whatever i put in front of him...gosh i miss 'em....
i couldn't sell my saddle and other tac, so maybe that's a sign...i NEED to go ride again...

Oh my, I've been posting very little in the last couple months and the horsey thread is all jumping, so to speak. An update on me and Teddy... he's great, happy, and we've been hacking a LOT in the fields at the barn in the snow. I'm a huge lover of winter hacks. I'm still staying at about 3ish feet for jumps but I'm doing them in small courses now which is pretty exciting. No plans to show or anything. I'm not a dressage girl and there is only paradressage here, no jumper. Anyway, we're thinking of starting a small therapeutic riding program at my barn which is exciting. Probably not until the summer but I'm pretty stoked!

@Maltese Cat -- This might sound harsh but he needs to get over the fear of falling. Riding, able-bodied or not, generally involves falls and chances are he won't get hurt and lose any progress. For pressure relief I use a Cashel gel pad on my Richvale close contact jumping saddle. I use a regular jumping saddle, no adaptations except to the stirrups. Riding is highly therapeutic. Best thing is for him to just get on, start slow at a gentle walk, and go from there. Get someone to walk beside him if he needs it.

@Disastergirl -- Get back on those horses, girl! There's no reason why you can't keep on riding. I'm T7-8 incomplete with no function at/below my lower abs and weak middle abs and I ride/jump/hack/etc and so does Emma (Doodle). Even if you just get on and walk around, it's good for your circulation, your muscle mass, and most of all, your emotional well being. Do what makes you happy. :-) And there's no such thing as a horse that "too spunky" for someone with an SCI. My horse, Teddy, is an off the track Thoroughbred race horse who spooks at every possible object known to mankind. BTW, we have classification in North America. It's a para-sport thing.

This post has been edited by twisted_ophelia: 08 February 2010 - 05:21 AM

[Doodle]

Hey Mimi!!!! I must have missed you post in here. Great to hear Teddy is doing well, and your enjoying the snow riding, skiing, soon to be ice fishing! I cant wait for spring to come around, Im very much not a fan of riding in the snow, If we had an indoor arena I might be persuaded but when the snow comes It stops us from riding, and usually cant get up the driveway to even see murphy! I rode him yesterday after 2weeks off, as my trailer had to go get seen to, and they took ages to fix it! So Murphy was on his toes yesterday but it was a great on the toes feeling, he had a spring in his step which I love! Was a bit nervous about getting on him, as he's living in, he has lots of extra energy which sometimes isnt channeled the way I like! I hold on tight!!

Thats awesome about the jumping, Ive put my jumping on the back burner, I gave myself a fright last time. When my legs kept straighten as I went through the air, so that when I landed I got catapulted a number of times and I just scared the crap out of me, and now I cant even do a canter pole as It scares me! I will have to work on it again! Also thats awesome on the therapy centre Idea, hope it all goes to plan!

I have a competition this weekend which Im starting to get nervous about, more so the length of the travelling and the lack of turn out for murphy, really hope he behaves and doesn't explode when I get on him, I have got a groom coming, so she will either lunge him or get on him to stretch his legs and get rid of any exuberance!

This post has been edited by Doodle: 15 February 2010 - 10:45 AM

[twisted_ophelia]

Doodle, on Feb 15 2010, 06:41 AM, said:

Hey Mimi!!!! I must have missed you post in here. Great to hear Teddy is doing well, and your enjoying the snow riding, skiing, soon to be ice fishing! I cant wait for spring to come around, Im very much not a fan of riding in the snow, If we had an indoor arena I might be persuaded but when the snow comes It stops us from riding, and usually cant get up the driveway to even see murphy! I rode him yesterday after 2weeks off, as my trailer had to go get seen to, and they took ages to fix it! So Murphy was on his toes yesterday but it was a great on the toes feeling, he had a spring in his step which I love! Was a bit nervous about getting on him, as he's living in, he has lots of extra energy which sometimes isnt channeled the way I like! I hold on tight!!

Thats awesome about the jumping, Ive put my jumping on the back burner, I gave myself a fright last time. When my legs kept straighten as I went through the air, so that when I landed I got catapulted a number of times and I just scared the crap out of me, and now I cant even do a canter pole as It scares me! I will have to work on it again! Also thats awesome on the therapy centre Idea, hope it all goes to plan!

I have a competition this weekend which Im starting to get nervous about, more so the length of the travelling and the lack of turn out for murphy, really hope he behaves and doesn't explode when I get on him, I have got a groom coming, so she will either lunge him or get on him to stretch his legs and get rid of any exuberance!

OMG, that sounds like a crappy fall! I'm used to falling and I get catapulted a lot but I bet you'll get over that fear. I actually hate canter poles or trotting poles. I hate when the horse trips or just gets lazy and doesn't pick his feet up and it throws my whole balance off. I've had the dislike of canter poles since I was a little kid. Kind of weird! I'll jump with no fear but a stupid pole on the ground bugs me? LOL.

I totally understand about that bouncy energy Murph probably has. Teddy, being an off the track Thoroughbred, literally needs to be ridden or excercised everyday. If I can't get up there, I always ask barn friends to gallop him around the arena and do a few jumps with him every day because otherwise he gets REALLY spooky and acts like a bit of an idiot. He's just got a lot of nervous energy. Do you lunge? It took me a long time to figure out how to lunge from my chair but I can do it now. I was totally impressed with myself, haha. I prefer free lunging but when I have him on the line, I would get stuck and tangled. He also prefers free lunging/free jumping. 5 minutes of a free gallop in the arena does Teddy a world of good. He burns off whatever he needs to get out and he's like a different horse for riding when he's calm versus when he's full of beans.

Do you have knobby snow tires for your chair? If you use those, maybe you could get out to the barn and up that hill in winter? I'm such a lover of hacking and snow rides, it's soooo peaceful. And a fall into a bunch of soft powder snow is far less painful than a normal fall hahha

This post has been edited by twisted_ophelia: 15 February 2010 - 06:29 PM

[Doodle]

twisted_ophelia, on Feb 15 2010, 06:28 PM, said:

Doodle, on Feb 15 2010, 06:41 AM, said:

Hey Mimi!!!! I must have missed you post in here. Great to hear Teddy is doing well, and your enjoying the snow riding, skiing, soon to be ice fishing! I cant wait for spring to come around, Im very much not a fan of riding in the snow, If we had an indoor arena I might be persuaded but when the snow comes It stops us from riding, and usually cant get up the driveway to even see murphy! I rode him yesterday after 2weeks off, as my trailer had to go get seen to, and they took ages to fix it! So Murphy was on his toes yesterday but it was a great on the toes feeling, he had a spring in his step which I love! Was a bit nervous about getting on him, as he's living in, he has lots of extra energy which sometimes isnt channeled the way I like! I hold on tight!!

Thats awesome about the jumping, Ive put my jumping on the back burner, I gave myself a fright last time. When my legs kept straighten as I went through the air, so that when I landed I got catapulted a number of times and I just scared the crap out of me, and now I cant even do a canter pole as It scares me! I will have to work on it again! Also thats awesome on the therapy centre Idea, hope it all goes to plan!

I have a competition this weekend which Im starting to get nervous about, more so the length of the travelling and the lack of turn out for murphy, really hope he behaves and doesn't explode when I get on him, I have got a groom coming, so she will either lunge him or get on him to stretch his legs and get rid of any exuberance!

OMG, that sounds like a crappy fall! I'm used to falling and I get catapulted a lot but I bet you'll get over that fear. I actually hate canter poles or trotting poles. I hate when the horse trips or just gets lazy and doesn't pick his feet up and it throws my whole balance off. I've had the dislike of canter poles since I was a little kid. Kind of weird! I'll jump with no fear but a stupid pole on the ground bugs me? LOL.

I totally understand about that bouncy energy Murph probably has. Teddy, being an off the track Thoroughbred, literally needs to be ridden or excercised everyday. If I can't get up there, I always ask barn friends to gallop him around the arena and do a few jumps with him every day because otherwise he gets REALLY spooky and acts like a bit of an idiot. He's just got a lot of nervous energy. Do you lunge? It took me a long time to figure out how to lunge from my chair but I can do it now. I was totally impressed with myself, haha. I prefer free lunging but when I have him on the line, I would get stuck and tangled. He also prefers free lunging/free jumping. 5 minutes of a free gallop in the arena does Teddy a world of good. He burns off whatever he needs to get out and he's like a different horse for riding when he's calm versus when he's full of beans.

Do you have knobby snow tires for your chair? If you use those, maybe you could get out to the barn and up that hill in winter? I'm such a lover of hacking and snow rides, it's soooo peaceful. And a fall into a bunch of soft powder snow is far less painful than a normal fall hahha

No I havent lunged post SCI, I cant see how I would manage that! Can see the line wrapping around, around and around lol!

No I dont have knobby tires but im looking into it! I can see how they are good, but they wouldnt help me with getting up the driveway, I wouldnt be able to get up the driveway in my chair on a perfect summers day without some help!

Hahahaha yep I can see that would be less painful, would chill out the bruising to lol!! On that note we have had more fresh snow fall, so I havent been able to go up today! arrgh!

[cas]

hi doodle- just wondered how you got on last weekend at the dressage!

[Doodle]

cas, on Feb 27 2010, 04:53 PM, said:

hi doodle- just wondered how you got on last weekend at the dressage!

Hi Cas, unfortunately I never go down, the driveway to the yard was to treacherous to get a trailer out so I had to withdraw, im still annoyed about it! But better to be safe than sorry as they say! Also having to withdraw from a winter qualifier at REC next weekend aswell as we have had a fresh dumping of snow! Roll on Spring!

[farmingquad]

so i have a question i love horses and have been around them my whole lfe i use to ride bulls before i got hirt and have the oppertunity to ride horses again at a th6erapudic ranch im a c5c6 can it help on your balance and can a quad ride do yaw no of any quads riding thanks


sorry for the spelling

[Doodle]

farmingquad, on Feb 27 2010, 09:41 PM, said:

so i have a question i love horses and have been around them my whole lfe i use to ride bulls before i got hirt and have the oppertunity to ride horses again at a th6erapudic ranch im a c5c6 can it help on your balance and can a quad ride do yaw no of any quads riding thanks


sorry for the spelling

Hey. Here's a link to another thread from a quad who has been riding, hope it works! I think once your on the horse, it should be relatively easy! You may find you will need to have the back of the saddle raised and some kind of seat belt to help you stay upright! And so you may need to have your reins adapted to help you grip! If theres a will theres away! Riding is great for helping balance, good for stretching muscles etc! and best for sanity.

http://www.apparelyz...showtopic=11028

[Doodle]

Hoooooorah! Finally I got to ride my horse yesterday after all the snow and health issues, felt good to not have to think about anything, best part of riding for me to be able to just leave all my worries for an hour or 2. My god I'm sore today, a good kinda muscular pain! Felt so good to just get on. Now just to start murphy and I's fitness programme and hopefully 2010 will be under way. Murphy's winter of chilling out and living indoors has done him the world of good, he feels like a spring chicken again! And now its starting to feel like spring with longer days, some warmth in the sun and everything getting a bit greener! Happy days!

[Elina_HSS]

hi people!

Ive been reading your conversation and decided to ask for some help.
Im a C7-T1 (SCI), after a car accident I had (2005). I used to ride since the age of 6 (im 23 now). I still have my 3 horses but havent ridden since my accident. The problem is I live in Greece- we have no para-equestrian team so theres no one here to help me- which means I dont even know if people with the same SCI level as me are able to ride.

I really miss my previous life..competitions, etc. However, all I want now is to ride...
Any information from you would be great help!

Thanks,

Elina

[Doodle]

Elina_HSS, on May 12 2010, 02:26 PM, said:

hi people!

Ive been reading your conversation and decided to ask for some help.
Im a C7-T1 (SCI), after a car accident I had (2005). I used to ride since the age of 6 (im 23 now). I still have my 3 horses but havent ridden since my accident. The problem is I live in Greece- we have no para-equestrian team so theres no one here to help me- which means I dont even know if people with the same SCI level as me are able to ride.

I really miss my previous life..competitions, etc. However, all I want now is to ride...
Any information from you would be great help!

Thanks,

Elina

Hi Elina, I found a couple websites that might be of some use to you.

http://www.therapeut...now/default.htm

http://www.hef.gr/greek/index.htm

Worth contacting some one, Not sure if the therapy centre is near you. Most of these places are equipped with ramps or hoists to help you get on and off. And also any adaptive riding equipment which would be assessed once you have ridden, depending on the level of strength, balance, grip, that you have. No reason why you cant ride your own horses, may be sensible to get on a quiet horse until your used to it again!

[Elina_HSS]

Doodle, on May 12 2010, 06:12 PM, said:

Elina_HSS, on May 12 2010, 02:26 PM, said:

hi people!

Ive been reading your conversation and decided to ask for some help.
Im a C7-T1 (SCI), after a car accident I had (2005). I used to ride since the age of 6 (im 23 now). I still have my 3 horses but havent ridden since my accident. The problem is I live in Greece- we have no para-equestrian team so theres no one here to help me- which means I dont even know if people with the same SCI level as me are able to ride.

I really miss my previous life..competitions, etc. However, all I want now is to ride...
Any information from you would be great help!

Thanks,

Elina

Hi Elina, I found a couple websites that might be of some use to you.

http://www.therapeut...now/default.htm

http://www.hef.gr/greek/index.htm

Worth contacting some one, Not sure if the therapy centre is near you. Most of these places are equipped with ramps or hoists to help you get on and off. And also any adaptive riding equipment which would be assessed once you have ridden, depending on the level of strength, balance, grip, that you have. No reason why you cant ride your own horses, may be sensible to get on a quiet horse until your used to it again!

Hi!

Thanks for answering!

I have friends working in the therapeutic riding center. The thing is.....most instructors there, dont even know how to ride. They mostly work with children with a down syndrome/autistic etc. which they put on the horses and walk them around....its their own way of hippotherapy..!

My problem is I dont know where to start... I cant ride my horses yet and dont have anyone in Greece to train me with another horse. I thought of traveling to Germany in order to meet some ther. riding instructors and try some quiet horses..

Ive tried several sports after my accident but.....nothing compares to horses....

[Doodle]

Hi Elina sorry for not replying, been a bit busy! I would suggest trying Germany, even contacting some one from the equine federation in Greece or Germany and see what they say about Para stuff! Surely some one can help you out! If not try contacting the British Equine Federation and see what they come up with, they are there to help!

This post has been edited by Doodle: 20 May 2010 - 07:03 PM