Could we have a disabled riders board?

henmother

henmother

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Hello, there have been a few threads recently that have highlighted the amount of forum members that ride with a disability. Could we have a board to share our experiences, our stories and our tips. I would find this most useful, how do you get a new board set up?
 
Whilst not disabled i think thats a brilliant idea. Come on look at our Para team flying the flag for us :) Admin? Come on you know its a good idea *smiling sweetly* even a kis X
 
Briliant idea! On the surface I'm fully functioning, but thats because I have untold coping strategies to just get by! I sometimes feel like I'm a moaning cow when I mention it, but its such a huge part of my life and affects every single aspect its hard for me to not mention it!

I'm also devastated that I've started riding again and can barely mange to ride a riding school pony :( Its not lack of knowledge or skill, its just that my stoopid body wont do what I want it to do! I'd love to be able to bleat on to people who understand :)
 
FrankieCob said:
Briliant idea! On the surface I'm fully functioning, but thats because I have untold coping strategies to just get by! I sometimes feel like I'm a moaning cow when I mention it, but its such a huge part of my life and affects every single aspect its hard for me to not mention it!
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Exactly - if there's something wrong it affects so many things, eg I have both ankles fused due to developing severe arthritis after breaking them riding. I don't walk with a huge limp or anything as I'm bilaterally lame so feel like I often have to explain when I ask for help or use lifts etc even for only one flight of stairs as I can't do stairs really. Somewhere to compare coping stragies and stories would be great
 
I for one would like to see the first thread in the board, if kind admin allow, mount and dismount. For everyone, with a broad spectrum of conditions this can be one of the biggest problems.
I've asked Admin, fingers crossed.
 
A fantastic idea and I would finally feel I could fit into a part of this forum! Having recently given up a share due to my stoopid body not behaving I am back to beans on toast so I can afford to visit a riding school once a month (grr grr moan at prices, moan, moan, moan) so yes it would be lovely to fit in somewhere here and chat with people who understand and don't look at me like I have 3 heads...





Having 3 heads is not my disability ;)
 
Dunlin said:
A fantastic idea and I would finally feel I could fit into a part of this forum! Having recently given up a share due to my stoopid body not behaving I am back to beans on toast so I can afford to visit a riding school once a month (grr grr moan at prices, moan, moan, moan) so yes it would be lovely to fit in somewhere here and chat with people who understand and don't look at me like I have 3 heads...





Having 3 heads is not my disability ;)
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I know what you mean, the head and heart is willing but the body is not. The day to day can be such a struggle but it's during horse time that we can be happy, and try to forget about what holds us back.
Haha, I'll swop you 3 heads for two knackered legs ;)
 
Great idea, I'm visually impaired but have still worked as a groom though I can no longer drive which is a massive problem for me as I live in a fairly rural area.

I'm interested in doing para dressage but lack of anyone to transport me about is an issue.
 
Great idea. Although not registered rda I am pretty cripple half the time what with my knackered ankle and my RA I have some really bad days
 
Really good idea :) i probably couldn't ride even if i wanted to due to issues which are being investigated now (dodgy brain!) but on bad days the general yard bits and bobs for my mare are a nightmare! Im another one with a non visible disability, or people just assume im drunk if i cant walk in a straight line/walk into things!
Would be great to hear about similar peoples problems and ways to cope :)
 
TwyfordM said:
Im another one with a non visible disability, or people just assume im drunk if i cant walk in a straight line/walk into things!
:)
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It can be a very real problem. I taught RDA MANY years ago in Oz - and was the first full time employee of RDA in Victoria. One of my students had Cerebral Palsy, with very staggering walk and speech difficulties. He liked to go to the pub after his riding lesson (we were using the Mounted Police facilities and horses) and he only EVER had half-a-pint. But it was enough to get him arrested at LEAST once a fortnight for being 'drunk and disorderly'! We DID manage to get the police to run classes at the training school about recognising different disabilities - which helped a bit!
 
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Great idea,
My girl went to live with a friend last summer as I couldn't physically look after her anymore, due to quick onset of symptoms (including balance/walking problems) which were subsequently diagnosed as MS.
I thought that was it as far as horses and me were concerned, but my friend is insisting I stay involved and apparently we are taking her out showing this season. :O
:)
 
JanetGeorge said:
It can be a very real problem. I taught RDA MANY years ago in Oz - and was the first full time employee of RDA in Victoria. One of my students had Cerebral Palsy, with very staggering walk and speech difficulties. He liked to go to the pub after his riding lesson (we were using the Mounted Police facilities and horses) and he only EVER had half-a-pint. But it was enough to get him arrested at LEAST once a fortnight for being 'drunk and disorderly'! We DID manage to get the police to run classes at the training school about recognising different disabilities - which helped a bit!
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Poor guy! Yep, people just assume unfortunately. I find it hard enough to explain to my consultant at the hospital exactly what's going on with my head and how it affects me. They are the professionals and they don't even know yet (after 3 years!) hopefully should have an answer over the next few months and can just tell people to go google it ha.
Luckily i have a fantastic yard owner who will help me out whenever i need it and always asks if im okay even if i look fine :) im lucky really but its still a pain.
 
I know just what everyone means. With my RA I can be reasonably mobile one day and in a lot of pain, hobbling around the next

Even worse I could be fine in the morning and in agony by the afternoon )or even the other way around)

So of course I must be a fraud :(
 
I think it would be a great idea. I am not disabled, but one of my best friends and the most knowledgeable horse woman I have ever met had polio as a child and rides sidesaddle due to a weakened leg. She has done/still does it all, hunt, show, hack. She even got me to have a go at trying the sidesaddle once or twice. There is a lot to learn from all riders-- disabled and not disabled-- and I do hope that HHO creates this important space.
 
JanetGeorge said:
It can be a very real problem. I taught RDA MANY years ago in Oz - and was the first full time employee of RDA in Victoria. One of my students had Cerebral Palsy, with very staggering walk and speech difficulties. He liked to go to the pub after his riding lesson (we were using the Mounted Police facilities and horses) and he only EVER had half-a-pint. But it was enough to get him arrested at LEAST once a fortnight for being 'drunk and disorderly'! We DID manage to get the police to run classes at the training school about recognising different disabilities - which helped a bit!
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Yes people do assume, sometimes with disastrous results. A friend and I were in this situation a few years ago where we found a bloke seemingly drunk and passed out on the street, luckily we noticed the 'pear' smell on his breath and called an ambulance. He turned out to by hypoglycaemic and was taken into hospital.

I'm all for a 'disabled board', I too have a (fairly common) hidden illness which is now under control by meds/diet so would be nice to be around people with similar issues who know how difficult some days can be.
 
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