Advice please for unusual rider problem

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rolls1392

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This might be a first
Wife has a problem in her right leg, below the knee, whereby her leg and foot constantly feels numb due to trapped nerve around the knee area. This condition(dropfoot) is hampering her riding as she cannot feel the stirrup. Anyone had similar experience, tips on how to ride one legged?? All help gladly received. Her boy, grey in piccy is missing her lots.
Medically there is noithing that can be done, but neurosurgeon reckons leg will return to normal in approx 12 months.
 
Hello! I have very little feeling in my left leg due to horse landing on top of me. Although to look at me walk you wouldn't think anything was wrong I find it annoying.

When I first started riding again after the accident I found it really hard to get up on a horse but the riding has really improved the strength in this leg. I hate to admit to it, but I went for 4 lessons at a RDA centre and they gave me tips on what to do and how to strengthen my leg.

The only other thought is riding side saddle. I started learning last year and love it. Where as I would never get very far riding astride, riding side saddle means I find it much easier. It is possible to find a side saddle that is righted legged (as such), but I don't think it's as common.

I can't feel my stirrup in my left leg but with a side saddle it's the right leg that has to be stronger, from what I understand. Hope that makes sense.

I can sympathise with your wife. When riding my mare with her normal saddle I usually take my stirrups away...to be honest I now hate stirrups lol!
 
This is not insurmountable - toe stoppers fitted onto the stirrup irons can help the foot slipping though, high grip treads will also keep the foot more stable, suede chaps or half chaps will increase cohesion on the sides of the horse and horses can be trained to work from the seat and upper leg so as not to be dependent on the lower leg.

Just a warning though, severe nerve damage repairs at about 1mm per month on average - so it be longer than expected before full feeling is restored, and it recovers from the extreme end ie. the toes
 
Shame your in Cornwall or I would have said to come and have a go side saddle on my girl. I'm prob a bit too far away (Shropshire)
 
Sorry I've had another thought after reading Mother Hen's reply...I bought the Mountain Horse boots and stirrups that have the stirrup control system in them. I feel more confident with them because it does keep my foot in the stirrup because of not being able to tell if my foots in the stirrup or not!
 
I have foot drop as well!!My leg is permenantly in a splint from knee to toes.Does you wife have a splint?I find it difficult to have the correct position,and to keep my stirrup where it should be,but have given up on my position!!I also grip with my knee!!
I do everything wrong by the "text book" but i dont care im still riding,and riding to hounds and stay on(most of the time!!)
I did think about side saddle but i dont think my horse is suitable(to fizzy)
You just have to keep on riding and she will i promise get used to it,all be it slighly different to everyone else
 
I don't know what your horse is like - but could you use a longer schooling stick instead of the leg to give aids. Or perhaps some sort of stiffer stick like a cane?
Maybe it would be worth asking the RDA as they probably know about useful equipment that could help?
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You might like to look at this web page His solution was to have a cord attached to his saddle and the heel of his boot, when he needed to give his horse a leg aid he pulled on the cord to move his artifcial leg. Might also be worth considering a western saddle, plenty to grab hold of in emergencies.
 
Can only agree with what has already suggested, IMO it would be great if your wife could have a few lessons with the RDA as they are the specialists, side saddle is another alternative but as it is her right let it could take a while to find an appropriate saddle and horse would need some training too - Western saddle seems like a great idea too, but what about driving would your wife be interested? it wouldnt take long to break horse to drive and that way he will still be excercised however long it takes your wife to recover. Best of luck on whatever you decide and please keep us informed of your decision.
 
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