celebrate all abilities !

[tazzle]

ebonyallen is of course a shining example of the fortitude required by someone with a physical issue that makes it a bit more difficult to perform actions most of us take for granted ..... but I am sure that there are many more people here that do not have the "normal range" never mind the ideal body that will get into the shape, alignment and balance that is often said is needed so that the horse can do its job "properly".

I am among a lot of us that does strive for that "perfect" position ( well as good as I can ) to be in balance and to use weight aids etc. ( well in walk I am pretty good at ) and get all precious with my horse and who rides her because I want her to stay light and responsive (despite me and my body ) ....... yet she looked after my friend who is disabled with legs that spasm and "less than perfect" balance because of nerve damage in her spine.

She also takes care of Matt whos body is governed by cerebral palsy , his legs clamp tight on her sides and they shake at times rather vigourously . If anyone else put legs on her sides like that she would disappear off into next week

yet she remains just as sentitive and responsive ( well when she wants to be ). So I admire my wonderful horse for being so adaptive

I also admire Matt so much...... he is always cheerful and demands that he have fun, fun and more fun with the horses. He just challenges us to make it so that he can do what it is he wants, from riding to doing agility. I think its that confidence from him that tranfers itself to Taz somehow.... she too just tries her heart out for him , trying to work out what it is he wants as he cant give her the same cues that I do.

He spends every moment he can with the horses.... and can often be seen sitting in his wheelchair in the field surrounded by our herd of four


His mum told me that even when he feel off an RDA horse a couple of years back and broke his hip ... all he wanted to do was get back on !!!!

We are building a ramp and high mounting block for him so we dont have to throw him up on to a horse and can get him on in a safer manner . We are also fundraising so we can get a funbug so that he and some other wheelchair users can access driving.


so.............. would anyone like to share stories about humans or equines that inspire you through attitide / achievements.

 

[JFTDWS]

nothing to add, but that's a lovely read!

 

[kinnygirl1]

Think that's fantastic and lovely pics too!

 

[Emilieu]

Nothing to tell but didn't want to read without saying I think your horse sounds like a total star and that was a lovely thread to read - thank you x

 

[flying solo]

I used to have a mare years ago which was used for RDA she would be perfectly behaved for clients and a nightmare for me! It was almost like two different horses. You do a wonderful thing with your horse OP x

 

[tazzle]

I used to have a mare years ago which was used for RDA she would be perfectly behaved for clients and a nightmare for me! It was almost like two different horses. You do a wonderful thing with your horse OP x

I got the chance to ride one of our local RDA horses one time when it was such bad weather most of the days riders did not turn up so we volunteers got to ride ....... thought big fella that a blind rider rode and even jumped with would be steady ..... three times round the school in canter before he would stop told me he knew the difference .


Thanks for your kind comments everyone..... She is doing not bad for a horse once so traumatised she was dangerous

 

[canteron]

Tazzle, I follow your posts as you always have something interesting and sensible to say.

I remember your post on desensitising your horse and can only think that all the work and time you have put into making her such a great girl is paying off handsomely.

I lovely the pictures you post, I used to do RDA for adults and it was completely humbling what immense pleasure the riders got just from being around horses. I always used to feel so priviledged afterwards, that I was able to do things like poo pick and clean tack - it wasn't a chore, I was just lucky to have horses!!

Anyway, these are inspirational pictures - thank you for posting them.

 

[becca1305]

That is so sweet of her some of them just seem to know that they have a very precious load aboard that they need to look after. My 2 TB boys & ISH mare go all soppy with my cousins 4yr old when hes round their stables snuffling him & the mare turns from competition diva to riding school plod when hes on her back she even "jumped' a miniscule x-pole with him the other wk like a donkey . Like your mare she goes back to her usual self when im back aboard! Ive never actually tried her with a partially disabled rider as I dont actually know any, but kudos to you for giving it a go & letting everyone know that, with the right horse, it doesnt have any detriment to your horse's schooling .Your little lass seems to have a heart of gold

 

[jeeve]

what a lovely set of photos and story

I think that horses/animals have so much to offer, and also we "normal" people have so much to learn from those that do not have the same advantages.

 

[Digger123]

Nothing much to add but what a lovely story

 

[dafthoss]

What a lovely post, your mare is a star just like those that ride her. I do think they know when they have to be careful, my boy certantly does with kids or nervous people.