[Horseman]

My wife has been riding since Nov of 07. She has gained a lot of her core muscles back. I was just wondering if any one else has tried it . She is a t7t8 . I think this has given her a lot of confidence to do more things outside. Her short term goal is to ride her own horses here at home in the spring. One of her long term goals is to ride independent in a horse show. She has been riding since she was 11 y/o. She has trained horses and gives riding lessons. I would like some other opinions about this type of therapy.


Thanks Horseman

[Motor]

Horseman, on Mar 7 2008, 12:44 AM, said:

My wife has been riding since Nov of 07. She has gained a lot of her core muscles back. I was just wondering if any one else has tried it . She is a t7t8 . I think this has given her a lot of confidence to do more things outside. Her short term goal is to ride her own horses here at home in the spring. One of her long term goals is to ride independent in a horse show. She has been riding since she was 11 y/o. She has trained horses and gives riding lessons. I would like some other opinions about this type of therapy.


Thanks Horseman

THEY DO THE THERAPUTIC HORSE THERAPY HERE IN SOUTH FLORIDA, BUT A LONG WAITING LIST. HEAR ITS GREAT!


GO FOR IT!

[azx43]

I used to do horseback therapy- but, unfortunately, the program that I rode with lost its' funding. But it was great while it lasted; I gained alot of confidence and strength, both mental and physical. My riding ability even allowed me to participate in a 6-day horsepacking/backpacking trip in Saguaro NP!

[KarenFerguson]

I used to ride horses many years ago, when I was in junior high (my best friend was really into horses). I found the experience really freeing and fun. Riding a horse was great, because I could go on many of the rough trails that were near my house, and even ride to the beach a few times. At times, however I felt kind of scared being on a horse. I was always nervous if the horse bucked or got spooked - I couldn't jump off like my friends could. One time a horse I was on freaked out and started going crazy! I just had to hang on for dear life, thank goodness I was able to. Also, when we stopped somewhere I was kind of stuck on the horse.

Anyway, It still was a great time in my life ... once I got my car I kind of ditched the horses.

[Ahlam]

Horseback riding is great therapy, balance Exercise and strengthening also, I would like to attend one of those therapy sessions, seems fun and very interesting, plz keep us informed about ur wife would like to hear more great news sometime soon!

[Trinity]

Hi,
I had my accident on a horse (well falling off a horse, if I had stayed on the horse it would be a different story!) but was determined to get back on. I can't remember ever being that worked up over something, i don't think i have ever had so much adrenaline in my system however i managed it (and to be fair what was the worst that could have happened??!!) i had one person holding the horse and one person on each side of me for support, i was really wobbley, used to hold on with thigh and calf muscles now don't have that option. Anyway i managed it and felt like i'd overcome a big hurdle. I would like to do it again, i really need to sort my core stability out though!!
Tx

[Horseman]

Thank you all for your responses. Some up date news about my wife.

She is able to sit the horse with good balance and ride while holding the reins and one hand on her thigh. The therapist has had her trotting the horse for short distances. This is not being done by her self though, she has a person leading and two people on either side. I think she is riding very well. This spring I will build her a mounting ramp at home so she can ride her own horse Fiesta. If anyone would like to read her story, you can go to www.chlclub.org and click on " about Kim".

Please ... If there are any other horse people out there post to this thread and let us know your story.



Horseman

[Patu]

[quote name='Horseman' timestamp='1204868691' post='54038']
My wife has been riding since Nov of 07. She has gained a lot of her core muscles back. I was just wondering if any one else has tried it . She is a t7t8 . I think this has given her a lot of confidence to do more things outside. Her short term goal is to ride her own horses here at home in the spring. One of her long term goals is to ride independent in a horse show. She has been riding since she was 11 y/o. She has trained horses and gives riding lessons. I would like some other opinions about this type of therapy.


Thanks Horseman

Kia ora from New Zealand and congrats to your wife riding the horse, and yes she will get a lot of her core muscles back and more. Im T10 and not only did i get my core muscles back but i had better bladder and bowel movements from riding. I hopped back on the horse almost immediately after my 'rehab'and the therapy enhanced all what ive mentioned and also my sexual fuctions and i was a lot more confident about what i could and could not do.From riding up the mountains and staying up there and in the bush or forest as you may call it to just riding around the whole of my valley on a regular basis. Riding should be part of therapy for all paraplegics the benefits are great and the best one is you dont sit in a wheelchair 'wink',good on ya gal and 'ride im cowboy' yihaa!!

Highchaparal

[The Black Sheep]

I haven't been on a horse since my injury, but I have been 4-wheeling, which kind of has the same posture and sitting position. I have noticed that my side abs have had to compensate quite a bit for the balance and since the arms are doing all the steering, it's a lot harder for me to stay upright. My injury is right in the middle at T5 and I have a 3-pack. I have the use of the very top ab muscles, but none below. I think that when the top abs are desperately trying to push me upward, it forces the ones below it as well. I still don't think I have more control over them, but they are forced into a workout because the top ones are dragging them into it. Definitely feels good though to stretch them.

[KeepTheFaith]

I do therapeutic horseback riding at REINS in Fallbrook, California. Love it!

http://www.reinsprogram.org/

[sisterM]

Would hippotherapy work for a c4/c5, with no use of his arms? What are criteria for being able to participate?
My brother was recently paralyzed, and our mom used to have a horse (in the suburbs) - it would be great therapy for both of them to share.
thanks

[DellFan]

I have Cerebral Palsy and started riding in May under the reccomendation of my Physical Therapist to help with my tight hip muscles. I love it. I started out not being able to balance well, very tight and uncomfortable, and generally just having a hard time. Now, I use the reigns to control the horse (just started this) and don't use my hands for balance anymore (at least I try not to, it's a habit) It seems I have increased core strength, I have way better balance, and I have begun to be able to stand indpendently for up to 15 seconds whereas before people would let go, I'd stand for a half a second or so and down I went.

As far as a C4/C5 Quadreplegic being able to ride. It might be difficult with no hand/arm function and no trunk/ab muscles,but, it can't hurt to call a Hippotherapy place and see what they say. Is he still inpatient for therapy, though? If so, you may want to wait until he is transitioned to outpatient or even until he is done outpatient therapy just because the schedule can sometimes be overwhelming.

Hope this helps!

Dell

[pinkcloud]

hi horseman

thanks for sharing your lovely news,yes there is much research and practiced riding that supports your theory,

I cant barely sit up in a chair, me disc could re-herniate BUT well if i had not have spent years riding, i really believe i wouldnt have the little strength i had now, years of memory and muscle build helped me, i am so sure.

I know i did charity work and drove people to a riding stable for the disableed, sadly they got lots of terror given to the horses by ways of attacking them, local children did this.

Also its known thats horses provide therapy without even riding them and this is becoming more popular.

Sadly i wont ever get on a horse again I fell from one, got sci, got back on one (didnt know i had sci) - i calmed the pony down from spooked be something in a bush as we cantered, avoided a head on colllision with a tractor...then when it started to nodd its head a lot (it was summer, there are flies,this is what they do lol) i broke into a sweat and had to get off, the nodding action was how the horse went as it bucked me off at the accident.

Me back was in bits with pain for weeks after...and i realised i didnt want to ride if i couldnt ride like before, And realised i could have ended up falling onto concrete..and be brain damaged too. I was lucky compared to this.

i say to any, ride, me injury is rare, i got 30 years riding with no injuries. Most people are lucky like I was.

Keep us updated, i love to hear happy horse stories, helps me re-live me happy years on them.

Tatiana, doodle are just two on here i know...maybe pm them?

best wishes to you and your lady