Fed up, missing riding..apologies for the income

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patchypony

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So...started really getting into riding, had done a few show jumping competitions, had a lovely pony to gain confidence, managed to juggle uni and having a horse. But then had to give the horse up, things went a bit downhill.
Carried on riding a few times, even managed to make some money working at local yard.
Then I decided to do my first ever dressage comp..during said competition managed to fall off and fracture my spine. Devastated didn't even cover it :( :(

4 months on doctor has told me I'm not allowed to ride for a very long time, parents and OH have forbidden me from riding (I'm 20).

Missing it so much...any advice to get my horsey kick?
 
I'm 44, I fell and broke my back (3 vertebrae compressed) when I was 21 (similar age to you). I was lucky I got away with it. I took it easy, and never, ever again rode without a body protector (you could offer that as a bargaining tool if you haven't ridden with one before). I have fallen (a number of times) subsequently and been fine in my back protectors (I think these days you can get body cages and air bags too (Jennifer Saunders demonstrated one on her prog. the other week) - more bargaining tools with your nearest and dearest - promise you will use one and do so - personally I don't think I'd get away with my back twice so I wear one by choice). I rode when I felt healed up enough and I was fine. At the end of the day it's your life, I couldn't survive without horses, I doubt you will. You need to get your folks to understand that by protecting you one way they will wreck your life in another. If it will help show them this posting and if you want to PM me.
 
I also fractured my back last april and was riding 7 months later, my confidence has never been the same and I wear a body protector too but horses are addictive!
You could always get a section a youngster to bring on and show, without riding if its not safe for you to ride again.
Backs are delicate things and if the doctor is saying no then there is probably a good reason.
 
I second showing or driving. A nice little M&M could do both.

Ultimately it's up to you and not anyone else what you do - but it's not generally a good idea to ignore doctor's advice.

Paula
 
Thank you for all the advice. Your right, horses are addictive and I want to be back around them again.

BackRidingAgain: ouch, sounds v painful. I had a compressed fracture as well, but only one in L2. Still painful now, found doing Pilates and yoga a godsend though :)

Showing definitely sounds good, now need to find something to show. And also juggle uni with this. Anyone have experience of showing that would advise on best kind of show? Complete novice when it comes to showing I'm afraid :P

Swamp donkey: yes confidence has been severely shaken, even if I'm fit to ride again, I doubt I will for a long time. Was lucky to come away with what I did. However can't quite commit to never riding again :(
 
I've got a damaged back and horse driving is agony, the cart jolts me way too much. Can you get a very quiet dope on a rope horse? Keep it on the slim side of healthy with minimal, if any, hard feed. This would minimize the risk of any sparky moments. It may not be up to doing much, but pottering around is maybe better than not riding at all?
 
patchypony said:
Then I decided to do my first ever dressage comp..during said competition managed to fall off and fracture my spine.
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But how on earth did that happen? Don't most dressage arenas have a relatively soft surface? Did you fall against the fence?

Just asking as I fell off quite a few times in recent years, and only ever hurt my arms badly (touch wood!), and not my back, despite having a ridiculously bad back for my age. Talk about slipped discs... what if there's no disc to slip left in my lower back!?


Tell your loved ones you'll use a bodyprotector at all times when riding. Seriously... good bodyprotectors are GREAT.

Last year, I fell in the school before it was resurfaced. Though I was wearing a riding hat, I didn't have a BP. Thought I had hurt my back because I felt the shock of the impact go through my spine (which is bad news). But turned out I was just winded (though I did sort of suffer black-outs and loss of hearing when made to ride immediately after!). Anyhow, a year or so before that I came off my youngster, and landed on my head (did a half somersault off the horse!)... I seriously thought that was IT while floating through the air, but that time I had a bodyprotector and riding hat. Let me tell you, the Racesafe BP's are ace. I didn't feel a thing! In fact, to my surprise, I got back up like those professional riders :rolleyes: , looked at horse slightly annoyed and called her back.
 
This would be ideal! However will have to scrape together some funds. Also trying to fund myself through uni at the mo :P this is my goal though, a nice plodder for some gentle hacking etc.

Parents and OH don't understand appeal of horses, unless youve experienced it, it's very hard to explain :P
 
Was coming round the corner in canter, horse spooked, I was catapulted into the wall, then hit the floor :P I've fallen off loads of times too and have only ever had a few cuts and bruises to show for it..however I think this was just very bad luck...and possibly a bad seat :P

Wow sounds eventful :P yes, wil DEFINITLY be investing in a BP when I'm fit and well again.
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
Can you get a very quiet dope on a rope horse? Keep it on the slim side of healthy with minimal, if any, hard feed. This would minimize the risk of any sparky moments. It may not be up to doing much, but pottering around is maybe better than not riding at all?
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Or an older pony that takes care of its rider. My OH rode this sturdy little pony once (he was 28... the pony!), and the little dude literally balanced my OH on top of him! The pony went as slow as possible to do so, but my OH had the greatest time on him, and sulked when he was made to give up said pony on the following day's ride to a 7-year-old girl... :)
 
Believe me, pet, I know your pain, my mother used to freak out completely, The one time she came to watch us hunting, I came out over a ditch onto the road, and the mare, coco, lost all 4 legs on landing. I didnt fall off, up she got and on she went, but my poor mother saw it, and went home saying novenas for the rest of the day. I fell on the road at 18, mare reared back on top of me, I hit the road, mare hit me. My back still hurts alot from time to time, (I'm 33 now), but thankfully i'm ok, could have been worse. How long did doctors say not to ride, and why?? (not being funny, I know you basically broke your back), but why the time limit, them being safe, or does your spine need that much time to heal. depends on the answer to that.
I remember being pregnant, years ago, and my brother-in-law was jumping his horse, and I was watching, he kept catching him in the mouth, so obviously, he started stopping. He went to wallop him, and i lost it, tears streaming down my face, i screamed at him to put his friggin hands forward. So wanted to get up and show him, so I know what you mean. hope you get back riding soon, and am curious which way you landed in a dressage test to make that happen. xx
 
I've seen someone (not a novice) fall off 3 strides of a jogging horse followed by a tiny barely there buck, land on her bottom and break 3 vertebrae. Took her a year to heal including 3 months in a back brace.
 
Please don't shoot me down in flames for those who are anti Parelli !! But what about natural horsemanship games? No need to follow Parelli's prescriptive methods, plenty of others out there that have basic books or dvd's without needing to subscribe to an expensive programme. If you get something that can be ridden too you can spend time building a relationship up on the ground (maybe get a sharer to ride to keep the horse going under saddle and help you with costs) then when you're ready you'll have a nice mannerly horse to ride out on due to the bond built up through groundwork.
 
Yup this fall looked insignificant but cause I landed bang in the middle of my back it took all the impact :(

I've fractured L2, and doctor says its stable. Doctor says I'm not allowed to Do anything that causes impact (run jump etc) for another 3 months, then I can start to come back into running etc. and then he just said (I quote) "no riding for a very long time). That's just to be on the safe side. But I'm going to wait until its a lot stronger and until I have a really sturdy BP :P

Unicorn dreams, I love parelli :P been to one of his conferences up in birmingham and he was amazing!
 
Yeh its impressive what horses (and humans!) can learn without the need for gadgets and force - some of it smacks a bit of circus tricks now as its so commercial but it gets the horse and human working together and thinking up things to do is fun. My mare is quick to learn compared to my last horse - what he took several sessions to grasp she gets in just one so I have to keep coming up with new challenges!
 
tasel said:
But how on earth did that happen? Don't most dressage arenas have a relatively soft surface? Did you fall against the fence?
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My loanee's 15 yr old niece rode my little 13.2 last year.
She fell off (on very soft mossy grass) and the way she landed caused her to fracture her spine in two places. She spent a fair while in a back brace before being allowed to do "normal" things again.
 
patchypony said:
Parents and OH don't understand appeal of horses, unless youve experienced it, it's very hard to explain :P
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What they need is some experience of horses. My OH didn't get it until I took him in the school with Bree and taught him basic ground skills with her. Now he's hooked. To start off with she was looking to me the whole time, but then she got used to him and there was a lovely moment later when I'm free schooling her and he's filming it and she just wanders over to him to say Hi.

Paula
 
Patchypony - I'm sure you will get there. I fell off with a curved back and a 2" round tree stump hidden in the grass punched my 3 vertebrae into wedge shapes as all the corners impacted together. Mine mended, quicker than I expected (read: weren't painful any longer - I've no idea what they ended up like as I was virtually ignored by the hospital after the first diagnosis x-ray) and I would think yours will too.

My Woofwear BP (BETA 2009) arrived yesterday and looks a nice bit of kit - far thicker than my old Jack Ellis, which had an old style undated purple Class 3 BETA label on it with no horses head.
 
OP sounds like you've had a hard time :(

I fell off last feb and dislocated my shoulder and tore all sorts in the process. I have barely ridden since: firstly because I wasn't allowed for a year and since then I just don't have a horse and I've lost my confidence. Had to sell my eventer and my 13.1hh pony of a lifetime. I bought myself a cheap 2yo and have introduced him to showing. He's going away to be backed next week (he's 3.5yrs now). I have had tonnes of enjoyment out of showing him, and watching him grow up. I hope I will be able to hold a contact so I will be able to ride him!

Take your time getting better, and fix yourself properly, don't cut corners! Only sit on a horse when you feel good and ready. :)
 
As a novice older rider I thought that dressage seemed the safest option as I love riding and training. Then on my first attempt at a dressage test..oh I was so excited and I learnt the whole thing too, the mare I was allocated and never ridden before tripped over her feet and catapulted me shoulder first onto hard ground. So over before I even started as the world suddenly exploded in pain and very bright light. I've a broken collar bone which had to be pinned. Just two weeks in so I've no idea how long it'll take before I can safely get back on or even physically get back on. Bored like you and unable to do very much except for occasional trips to visit my friend's horses. Can't even risk stroking my favourite Arab baby as he's a bit sudden and I can't guarantee I can fend off his affections. Sending you a big one armed hug. Guess we just have to be patient and do the physio and see how things work out. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery. T.
 
TrasaM, that's what I'm doing. Helping friends groom for competitors etc, taking pictures :) gets very boring after a while though. Itching for a gallop to blow the cobwebs away! :D

Gracie21, ouch that sounds painful! Ive also dislocated both much shoulders and torn cartridge..Physio and pilates managed to fix that. But know exactly what you mean. Think showing will be my way forward soon!

BackRidingAgain, OMG that sounds horrendous! Sound vvv painful. Been to a specialist and been told I dont have to go back again after a a check up x ray a few weeks ago.

Debating what body protector to get, I like the race safe ones, however have heard they don't provide great protection...
 
I'd just purchased an Airowear body protector but I wasn't wearing it. Don't think it would have made any difference as my point of impact was the top of my shoulder which was not covered by the BP. I'd just worn mine for the 1st time doing a X country course but took it off to do the dressage. I'd never worn one before but did not find it as uncomfortable as I thought it'd be.
 
From someone who had a serious (non riding) accident some 4 years ago and has been bammed from riding ever since i feel your pain. I have ridden all my life, from before i could walk, always owned horses, worked with them, competed to a very high level. had got the 2 best horses i have ever had and was out competing weekly and winning, life was great. Freak accident and now i am not allowed to ride. Hospital won't sign me off, and husband has forbidden me! To top it all off, both horses are doing fantastically well in their new homes, one has won a big class and was featured in H&H and other is winning numerous classes. It has been a huge bitter pill to swallow and has caused days of hurt and upset and the "why me" mentality, i should have been out winning with them, they were my life. I do try really hard and no one really gets how hard life is for me now. I keep thinking, i still have my health, but that isn't enough. I have anothrr 12 months then i am off to see a specialist who i hope (fingers crossed) will allow me to ride again. I have tried the bargaining of the body protector, but due to my injury that could make it worse and husband and parents aren't budging. I can see as supportive as they have always been they say my health has to come first and i do agree, but still..........

Hopefully things may start to get better for you and you will be back in the saddle before you know it :)
 
sounds like your having a even worse time than me! Its very frustrating having parents and other halves banning you from riding...i know they are probaly looking out for us, but i can get very annoying.

Once you have been bitten by the 'horsey bug' its hard to be away from them.

Good luck with the specialist! Feel free to pm me if you need a chat with someone who is in the same (ish) situation :)
 
Patchypony, def vvv.painful. It was 20+ years ago, but I still recall it. I am not given to a fuss where pain is concerned and have a high pain threshold, but I've never done anything else where the only thing that my brain was capable of was telling my mouth to 'scream' in agony - and I think it was about 10 minutes before I capable of forming a coherent reply to any question I was being asked about where did it hurt!

However, I am living proof that you can indeed get over such things and ride again.
 
Just one suggestion that I don't think has come up yet in the responses; What about horse agility? This can all be done in hand with a variety of different obstacles. I don't know that much about it but a friend of mine takes her horse, that can no longer be ridden, to a local RS to take part in it and he loves it :o
 
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