208 replies to this topic

[twisted_ophelia]

1heart4u, on May 2 2009, 05:15 PM, said:

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.

[Beautiful]

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.

[twisted_ophelia]

Beautiful, on May 2 2009, 11:51 PM, said:

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.

Edited by twisted_ophelia, 03 May 2009 - 04:09 AM.

[Beautiful]

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.

[twisted_ophelia]

Beautiful, on May 3 2009, 12:29 AM, said:

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!

[Doodle]

1heart4u, on May 2 2009, 10:15 PM, said:

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.

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??

Edited by Doodle-86, 03 May 2009 - 06:05 PM.

[twisted_ophelia]

Doodle-86, on May 3 2009, 02:03 PM, said:

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?

[Doodle]

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!

[twisted_ophelia]

Doodle-86, on May 6 2009, 01:42 PM, said:

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.

[Doodle]

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?

[twisted_ophelia]

Doodle-86, on May 7 2009, 04:04 PM, said:

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.

[Trinity]

Pics from today, not the most elegant or flattering photos in the world but who cares, at least I didn't fall off!

[twisted_ophelia]

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.

[Doodle]

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?

[Trinity]

twisted_ophelia, on May 12 2009, 05:08 AM, said:

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 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!

Doodle-86, on May 12 2009, 07:22 PM, said:

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?

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!

[twisted_ophelia]

trinity, on May 13 2009, 05:47 PM, said:

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.

[Trinity]

twisted_ophelia, on May 14 2009, 06:04 AM, said:

I'm really impressed that you are already cantering again! It took me a while to find my balance at the canter!

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!!!

[twisted_ophelia]

trinity, on May 14 2009, 01:11 PM, said:

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!

[Doodle]

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!

[twisted_ophelia]

Doodle-86, on May 21 2009, 01:14 PM, said:

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.

[Doodle]

Hello. Just thought Id give a wee update. I went to a dressage competition yesterday which I was really nervous about because It was a different venue, and a potential reason for murphy to miss behave but he was very good especially for mounting and dismounting! And we managed to get 1st, 2nd and a 6th so I was quite pleased! Have another one this coming friday, its a RDA (Riding for the disabled) qualifier, to qualify for the championships in gloucester (Hartpury College) so fingers crossed!

[twisted_ophelia]

Emma, that is awesome!!! Congrats on placing--and winning!!! I am sure you will do amazing this Friday. Keep us posted and put up some pics! I miss getting all decked up in my show gear!

The weather has been beautiful here lately but unfortunately I am having a small pressure issue on my bum so I dont want to spend TOO long in the saddle but I did manage to ride outside yesterday for a while. I decided to leave the open fields that I normally ride around in and do some exploring through a small forest. Teddy had a small panic attack at a fallen log and too much brush hanging down and started to spin and prance. That wasn't so fun since if I fell off, it would be a LONG way back to the barn, dragging my ass through the fields. No thanks. I managed to get him to walk relatively calmly out of the woods and decided it was time to head back to the barn. Normally I ride outside with at least one other person for safety reasons. Going on hacks with other horses helps him keep his wits about him and not lose his marbles. Riding outside is so lovely and peaceful despite the spooking potential. I love spring and summer!

[Doodle]

Well tomorrow's now out the window, I fell off today for the first time and have damaged my cruciate ligament. but its so swollen that they cant be sure till it goes down, so ive got a lovely splint on and lots of elevatation

I was riding in the arena practisinf tomorrow's dressage tests and he got spooked by the dogs, spun to the left and I kept going. Id managed to grab round his neck, at which point I was already out the door, and my right knee was over bent and then I must have twisted it! and then gravity took over and I landed on back! with murphy looking at me like I was stupid lol! Im sooooooooooooooooooo pissed off! Cos now im gonna be off riding for a while and stuck indoors!

Rant over

[twisted_ophelia]

Oh my God, Emma, that's awful! How are you feeling? That actually sounds really similar to one of the times I feel off in January (fell off twice that month, in the span of like two weeks, second time knocking me unconcscious). Teddy spooked at a barn cat and I went over the side of his neck, managed to grab mane on my way down which pulled my body into a weird twist, landed on my back/butt and did more damage to myself than if I'd just let myself fall. I pulled some ligaments in my back. And Teddy looking at me like I was stupid as well.

When will you be allowed to ride again? I totally sympathize with not being able to be in the saddle. The pressure issue on my ass is being a real bitch. I'm very impatient when it comes to my body and when I have to it causes those types of limitations. I hope you feel better soon.

[Doodle]

Im feeling a little less pissed off today lol, Still have a fat knee and its still sore but not as much, and I can bend it slighly more than when it first happened. Hoping I wont need an operation! And I have no Idea when Ill be back on board, my leg hasnt been officially diagnosed yet, seeing an orthorpedic specialist on wed at a fracture clinic, so will hopefully hear whats happening then, and will bombard him with questions! Did your pressure sore stem from the bruise you had?

I hate when I have something that limits my independance. I have a full length splint on so having to get a hand to the toilet and the shower. Although today I managed to get out shower and to bed on my own and I managed to get my sock on lol! which is better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick!

[twisted_ophelia]

Doodle-86, on Jun 1 2009, 09:28 AM, said:

Im feeling a little less pissed off today lol, Still have a fat knee and its still sore but not as much, and I can bend it slighly more than when it first happened. Hoping I wont need an operation! And I have no Idea when Ill be back on board, my leg hasnt been officially diagnosed yet, seeing an orthorpedic specialist on wed at a fracture clinic, so will hopefully hear whats happening then, and will bombard him with questions! Did your pressure sore stem from the bruise you had?

I hate when I have something that limits my independance. I have a full length splint on so having to get a hand to the toilet and the shower. Although today I managed to get out shower and to bed on my own and I managed to get my sock on lol! which is better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick!

Aw, hugs, Emma! Are you keeping your knee up and elevated? Icing it? Hopefully your knee injury is minor! I have a messed up right knee that happened pre-SCI that gives me trouble now. I tore the ligament in it a loooong time ago and sometimes it pops out or twists if I'm not careful. Sometimes I'll notice it's slightly swollen after riding. Total pain the ass! Anyway, my point is that if he recommends surgery, you should do it. It's a real bother having a messed up knee and an SCI because I'm not always aware if I've injured it. I can feel pain below my injury but it has to be severe and that's how I'll know if I've REALLLY messed up my knee somehow. It's annoying to have to be cautious and aware of it. And kind of gross since I'm always having to pop it back into place, haha.

Yeah, my skin issue is a result of the bruise from falling out of my truck. I still cringe when I think about how totally embarrassing that was! These things just seem to take so long to heal. Not being to ride as hard and long as I normally do in the last while is probably what's causing Teddy to act out and misbehave. He really needs a good daily workout so I've asked some of the teenage girls at the barn to give him workouts and runs on the days I can't make it up to the barn. He just needs to burn off all that extra energy somehow. Kinda like me They do say horses take on the characteristics of their humans and vice versa....

[Doodle]

Hey Mimi or anyone who may have advice. Im thinking of trying to ride again end of the week or beginning of next week. Do you think I should wear a knee support or anything? As I remember you saying your knee plays up on you a bit after you have ridden - mimi! Its feeling loads better, but all I need is to damage it further! What do you think??

Emma

[dancin' johnny]

I can answer this one Doodles, yes!

[Doodle]

Thank you for your wise words!

[twisted_ophelia]

Doodle-86, on Jun 24 2009, 06:50 AM, said:

Hey Mimi or anyone who may have advice. Im thinking of trying to ride again end of the week or beginning of next week. Do you think I should wear a knee support or anything? As I remember you saying your knee plays up on you a bit after you have ridden - mimi! Its feeling loads better, but all I need is to damage it further! What do you think??

Emma

That's probably a good idea, just get something to hold it steady and in place while you ride. Are you just gonna get on and walk him around? You might not need a knee brace for that but it's always better to be safe than sorry. I have an old pre-SCI knee issue (tore some ligaments) but I don't usually put a sports brace or anything on it. Your injury is fresh and healing though so it's wise to keep it protected. Try it out and see how it goes, maybe? Have you ridden since you got hurt? You must be going stir-crazy at this point.