parting with horse dilemna

smiggy

smiggy

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need advice, I know you cant tell me what to do but need input anyway!
Have owned my very lovely mare for 4 yrs, she is honestly 100pc in all ways, safe but fun, well schooled and well mannered
BUT she is as wide as a wide thing! and I have arthritis in one hip and over the last year have been finding it increasing uncomfortable to ride her. Cant physically move my leg for first 10 mins or so on board-have to lift it with my hand, uncomfortable for 15 mins or so, then glitchy hip next day. To the point that I have been putting off riding her.
Made the decision to sell her and answered a wanted ad, people absolutely loved her and coming for second viewing/hack on friday (at my request they said they wanted her in first ten minutes), know the yard and my son knows their son so know would be a fab home
BUT have looked at 4 horses over the last few weeks and although they were all comfortable to ride, none of them were a patch on her, either unschooled, thuggish or in one case lovely but lame, and cant imagine doing the things I do with my mare with any of them
gut feeling now is saying just ignore the hip and get on with it and keep my lovely mare and grovel to potential buyers :confused:
 
Mmmm this is a real hard one for you.
Could you in time and with the right exercises loosen up your hips?
Do you take joint supplements?
Or specific oils for joints?

All would help, but you may be doing all 3 already.
I think if you're not, then I'd give all a go before selling.

I have a problem with my leg (previous horse riding accident), if I ride for any length of time it does hurt, I just grin and bare it, for a longer ride I'd take ibuprofen before x
 
Side saddle?

Seriously, very comfy (partly the mental thing of feeling in the middle of something secure) on a wider horse. Obviously less common for guys (or girls!) these days but was very common between the wars even for guys because of amputees... you see old saddles on each side so to speak depending on which leg was lost.

Even if your arthritis is in the bad leg is degenerative with side saddle you don't have to worry.

Have a look for places near you you can try on a school horse and see if you might enjoy with your current girl.
 
I second side saddle, or even just a different saddle. I had this problem with my mare, although I don't have arthritis, I do have a back/nerve prob and by changing from a thorowgood cob saddle to a wow saddle I am quite comfortable, or at least I would be if she hadn't collapsed with a dodgy heart the day after I got the saddle! But that's another story!
 
cm2581 said:
I second side saddle, or even just a different saddle. I had this problem with my mare, although I don't have arthritis, I do have a back/nerve prob and by changing from a thorowgood cob saddle to a wow saddle I am quite comfortable, or at least I would be if she hadn't collapsed with a dodgy heart the day after I got the saddle! But that's another story!
Click to expand...

thats so sad-sorry

Side saddle not an option-am experienced rider but not massively confident and I know I would be worried.
Different saddle an option, trouble is that she was really hard to find a saddle that fitted her and didnt slip-because she is so wide!
Hip wise-already doing everythng that could help, including hydrotherapy and prescription painkillers. Have a scale riding wise-my mare is prescription painkillers and ouch, daughters fell is ibuprofen and small ouch, sons tbx thin thing is no tablets and no ouch!
 
B is the same. She is MAHOOSIVE!!!! :) This is her wither view to give you an idea

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1025905893&l=429fb45481&type=1&closeTheater=1

and she is in a 5 wow headplate, medium is a zero and they go to a 9! Every other saddle I've had over the last 17 years has slipped back and or sideways without breastplate and anti slip pad!! But from my 20 min hack and then the 5-10 mins before she 'fainted' (stupid delicate blonde thing!!!) it didn't feel at all unstable without any additions! It could be worth a try! I know they are expensive new but I got mine on ebay for £560. I wasn't fussy about the style of flap or seat so just took what was going that was going to fit her!
 
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I had the same problem with my old horse. Getting a narrower one has made a huge difference.

While your mare is lovely and you feel safe on her it is no good just keep going, I know from experience it will get worse, and as you say you are often not riding because of it.

might seem odd but how do you feel when riding your son or daughters horse?

The right horse can take a good while to find but I think it will be worth it when you do. YES no horse is likely to make you feel as safe and happy at first as your mare BUT that is no good if you can't ride her

hugs
 
I second the wow, my mums welshie is like a sideboard (just been refitted with a 8), I have arthritis in my hip and my mum has it just about everywhere, and we can both ride for a good hour in the wow, whereas she would be crippled using a normal saddle
 
Really hard one! I had to give up riding altogether for similar reason - but thankfully took up driving (which I thought might be boring but isn't!). Totally love driving now & still get to enjoy my horse & do lots with her. Not for everybody I know - but worked for me.
 
oh just remembered. I also got some insoles for my shoes that support the arch, this made a MASSIVE difference to my hip!! Look at your feet on the floor see if your arches have stopped arching enough
 
I had a similar problem & gave up riding for 15 years. I had severe pain after riding (or even standing for too long), couldn't use my left leg properly etc etc & riding just wasn't fun anymore. Then I had a 'Birmingham' hip replacement (it is an alternative to a full hip replacement designed for younger / more active people & is fine to ride with as it doesn't have a tendency to dislocate) & I have no trouble riding my mare who is getting pretty substantial as she's doing more work. I can use both legs, do lateral work etc & it is as if I'd never had a problem.The op was straightforward & I was back at work after 3 weeks. In your position, I'd see whether a Birmingham hip was a possibility. I am really happy with how mine turned out.
 
I have dodgy hips - the one pops from time to time (xmas party piece) and i have been in your situation holding onto the hip/upper part of leg - then i discovered hydrotherapy - Worked wonders for me! still get twinges but no where near as bad! xx
 
I know you say you aren't confident, but you really ought to try the side saddle option before you make the decision to sell your horse. You already KNOW your horse, so you can trust her. Side saddle is really easy, and very comfortable, and you will feel incredibly secure on them. Honestly, go and have a sit on one somewhere, you will be really surprised.
 
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