Any Para riders?

Pippixox, is that the 'spinal column' my friend is sending me copies if it, but I bet I could find back copies online. Thankyou. Stop the cavalry, that is definitely someting that would help get my foot in, if its a leather sole, think I'd have to try and force my foot with any other kind of lining.
Tobiano, the saddle had a very sticky gel saver on, I believe it kept me in the seat for the journey of the rear, helping keep me in place for the horse to splat me. I could be wrong of course, that might have happened without the seatsaver, I just don't know.
Texas, I'm not really a blogging kind of girl but can post on here with my updates. No doubt there'll be more high jinks to follow!!
 
Thanks for your supportive messages, i'm mostly getting sideways glances and long sighs from my family and friends when I try to talk horse. Bet the vast majority of riders on here would do the same as me. Once riding is in your blood, that's it. It could be worse for me, I could be dead, but i'm not so i'm going to do the thing I love most in my life, and that is to ride.
 
I'm not paralysed but I have a damaged spine. To deal with the frustration of only being allowed to walk a horse, think of riding as a chance to relax. Stare at the scenery, play an ipod, think about your position and how the horse feels. When you're upto it, there's a lot of schooling can be done in walk. Whenever I feel down about the things I can't do, I remember the pony mad child with limited access to horses that I used to be and it makes me feel lucky that I'm a horse owner now.
 
I'm registered as a para rider with EGB, they started to recognise the need last year, & this year has gone well. Good luck, if you want info about para endurance pm me.
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
I'm not paralysed but I have a damaged spine. To deal with the frustration of only being allowed to walk a horse, think of riding as a chance to relax. Stare at the scenery, play an ipod, think about your position and how the horse feels. When you're upto it, there's a lot of schooling can be done in walk. Whenever I feel down about the things I can't do, I remember the pony mad child with limited access to horses that I used to be and it makes me feel lucky that I'm a horse owner now.
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Thank you, hopefully I'll not be walking forever, I know it will take a while to get used to not having my legs, I'll have to learn how to balance myself. I'll be riding an Rda horse for lessons only because I need a hoist to mount . One day, I'd love to own too.
 
Hi hen mother
I'm I. A similar situation and also in north east- I'm in hexham and during a mountain biking holidzy in France I fell off, ruptured an artery in my neck which caused me to have a stroke. Ben in hospital for 20 weeks and have no feeling I. Left ledg or srm. Can't walk and my poor horse is just in a field at home and am desperate to get back om. Going to a rehab place on Newcastle to see if they can fix me but terrified I may never ride again. I am also interested I in rda. Desperate to get on a horse, would like to walk too!!
Hop you recover well
 
Hi lc2013, sorry for your situation. The thought of not walking is horrifying, but not riding!!! You could ask your physio team if they could get you to your local RDA, maybe riding could be a therapy session for you? I'm back on hospital tomorrow for intensive physio, I can recommend, if you are safe and able, go home for a bit, then get stuck into rehab. Its remarkable what a spell away from hospital can do to revive your positivity, and put the wind back beneath your wings. Stay positive.xx
 
Thank you I will ask- I'm moving to rehan in 10'day so will see what they say too. Been Hom most of the weekend and here now, makes a huge difference. Can see my horse and dog and go where I want! Just hoping I don't have to stay in rehab long, only 2 months rptill Xmas so I have to be out by then! Determined to walk, ride, run and ski again. Bit of determination gets you far!! You'll get to where you want, just don't give up and good luck!! Xxx
 
Thankyou.glad you've had some hometime, and a bit of normality, as normal as it can be be when you can't do what you want/need to do anyway. Yeah, have a word with them. My physios went to check out the hoist I'd need to use and were all for it, until my consultant put the block on it, for now anyway, well 3-6 months. I know rehab will seem like a long long process but honestly, it takes as long as it takes. Make the most of every day. Keep strong and stay fighting.
 
Thankyou Sprig. Think i'll need a visit to the local tack shop to see what I can get on. Those boots do look very nice though, very similar to my walking boots, so might see if my feet will fit in them too. Thank you.
 
I'm not a para rider but have nerve damage around all my ribs which causes constant severe pain so I often am only able to walk. My instructor has taught me loads of walk exercises which fully prepare the horse for a dressage test. I can do a full walk warm up to conserve my energy and go straight into the test. First time I did it at BD I came 1st and 2nd much to people's surprise. Anyway the point being that there is a lot you can do in walk to keep you and the horse occupied. Even just riding through a test pattern in walk making changes within the pace instead of transitions to another pace gives you something to think about.

I hope you get on board soon and that you enjoy walking until you are ready for anything faster. I'm sure if you put a post nearer the time asking for specific walk exercises you will get loads of suggestions. Good luck
 
Thankyou LynH, I know i'm going to have to "hold my horses" and take my time. I'm mot great at waiting but you're right, there's lots if schooling I can do in walk. Think dressage is the way forward. I hope you have nerve specific pain killers, I have a cocktail of them, gabapentin, for pain, diazepam fir spasms. Good luck.x
 
What an amazing thread! With your determination and drive it won't be long before you are back in the saddle.
Have you considered contacting any of our para dressage riders to see if they can offer advice? I know that Lee Pearson has his boots specially altered/made. Maybe emailing him via his website or facebook may be a way to go. Look out for clinics that he runs too which are meant to be worthwhile
All the very best to you for the future. You really are an inspiration
 
henmother said:
Thankyou LynH, I know i'm going to have to "hold my horses" and take my time. I'm mot great at waiting but you're right, there's lots if schooling I can do in walk. Think dressage is the way forward. I hope you have nerve specific pain killers, I have a cocktail of them, gabapentin, for pain, diazepam fir spasms. Good luck.x
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My nerves were damaged by an allergic reaction to carbamazepine ten years ago so I cannot take nerve specific drugs like gabapentin or pregabalin unfortunately. I'm currently on fentanyl and nortripyline but am not getting any relief despite going up to 137mcg fentanyl. I'm having steroid and anaesthetic injections between all my ribs soon so hoping that will help. I have pneumonia atm too which doesn't help so I've not ridden for the last ten days. I just find I have to play it by ear and I do now enjoy getting as much out of a walk session as possible.
 
Not sure if the boots I bought my granddaughters are any use. Just Togs from Go Outdoors leather boots with back zip. They were only £70 and are easy to get on. The girls say they are very comfortable. I would just like to say how much I admire your determination to get back into the saddle. From what you say your family are'nt too keen on you doing this but they will probably come to terms with it once you get started. Good luck with finding the correct gear and keep us updated with your progress.
 
Herts05 said:
What an amazing thread! With your determination and drive it won't be long before you are back in the saddle.
Have you considered contacting any of our para dressage riders to see if they can offer advice? I know that Lee Pearson has his boots specially altered/made. Maybe emailing him via his website or facebook may be a way to go. Look out for clinics that he runs too which are meant to be worthwhile
All the very best to you for the future. You really are an inspiration
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I have been thinking about joining BD once i'm riding again. A clinic would be very interesting if they have them in these here parts. I have ordered a pair of harry hall barracuda, cheap and cheerful, but a starting point. I've managed to get my feet into my zip up front jod boots but know my toes aren't right, also ordered a pair of harry hall mucker types, again cheap n cheerful, if they don't work I've not lost much. I should juat wait really but can't resist spending my money on horsey bits. Have started to rebuild my grooming kit, hoof oil arrived the other day and even the smell of that made me happy ( boyf just shook his head when he caught me sniffing it).
 
LynH I really hope you can get an effective pain management plan in place. Constant pain can be so depressing.you'd think there'd be an alternative to the injections, ouch, ouch. Hope you show the pneumonia the door soon. its amazing the amount of riders that carry on regardless of pain, there must be something in the DNA of riders that gives them balls of steel, or a very high pain threshold!!
 
Vinney I saw those boots, they are also on my list of, boots to try. I have a go outdoors not far, I just have to find a friend to take me on the quiet, my bf has point blank refused,can't blame him. I have told my family if I can't ride they may as well have just left me there squashed on the grass, they ate coming round, I know where they are coming from,my twin brothers ride motorbikes and they know where i'm coming from completely. Thankyou for the good luck, greatfully recieved.
 
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