Riding deteriorated?

[kayleigh97]

Hello! Hope this is the right place to post this, I’m usually one to lurk in the back ground but I’m needing some advice..

Im a producer who has my own yard (I’m very lucky!).. I work with a lot of breakers/schoolers as well as problemed horses. I’ve always loved my work and been very confident in my abilities.

Back in September I broke my collarbone (had to bail off of a bolter, unfortunately on concrete.. wasn’t very pleasant!) I had 3 weeks off before starting work again, I know I should have given myself longer to heal but bills were mounting up so I had to get clients in again. Since then my riding has been getting more and more concerning. I’m a regular with the physio over winter but I just don’t have enough hours in the day at the moment, or enough money in the bank honestly!

I’m aware my collarbone (left side) has not healed straight, it overlaps by a considerable amount which is where I think this ‘squintness’ stems from, I can ride almost normally on the right rein, just sometimes using too much outside rein as I can’t give with that rein very well without a shooting pain up my neck. The left rein is a disaster, I can’t hold my outside rein at all, I sit off centre the horses are generally very confused.

I was working away quite ok, being very aware of my hand placement, using bungees to try strengthen and stretch whilst riding but now my legs have gone all to plot, to the point where I have no control of my right leg, where I really notice it is in the canter transitions, especially on the right rein, as soon as I sit deep to put my leg on it literally just flails and I’ve tried everything to try and get it stronger but I’m at my wits end, I do weekly stirrupless sessions to keep my balance but it’s gotten to the point I can’t do that anymore.

My confidence has hit an all time low because of this, I can’t bare to watch videos of me riding and I dread riding on the left rein or asking for right canter, each session ends with me so negative as I know I should be so much better.

I don’t know what advice I’m looking for here, I suppose what you would do in my position, the logical answer would be time off and work on getting straight again but I currently have 14 horses in work and im booked up for the next 2 months.. ugh!!

Thanks for any replies. X

 

[paddi22]

Can you get a professional opinion on how bad your issues are? Is there a risk that much of it is self criticism and it feeling worse than it actually is? Can you have a physio who understands riding come and look objectively at what your body is doing, break it down into issues and get a baseline of where you are at and where you are struggling.

I had a rotational fall years ago and lost power in my left hip and left arm so I feel your pain, especially with the balance stuff and contact issues. I know for my own young horses, I'm not the person teaching them canter, as I am basically teaching them a weird version of the aids. I sent my own horse to a trainer to help with canter and she adapted how she taught it to cope with my contact and hip issues. You are doing the opposite, and you risk giving clients confused horses who are expecting different body signals and responses. so as a professional it would be important for you to analyse can you actually offer a good service at the moment. It's a horrible horrible situation you are in as a self employed person. But you risk damaging your body further and getting your body more out of alignment if you keep trying to power on through the pain. it might be a case of changing your business model for a few months till you recover or getting a rider in to cover any stuff you can't do?

 

[Birker2020]

Hello! Hope this is the right place to post this, I’m usually one to lurk in the back ground but I’m needing some advice..

Im a producer who has my own yard (I’m very lucky!).. I work with a lot of breakers/schoolers as well as problemed horses. I’ve always loved my work and been very confident in my abilities.

Back in September I broke my collarbone (had to bail off of a bolter, unfortunately on concrete.. wasn’t very pleasant!) I had 3 weeks off before starting work again, I know I should have given myself longer to heal but bills were mounting up so I had to get clients in again. Since then my riding has been getting more and more concerning. I’m a regular with the physio over winter but I just don’t have enough hours in the day at the moment, or enough money in the bank honestly!

I’m aware my collarbone (left side) has not healed straight, it overlaps by a considerable amount which is where I think this ‘squintness’ stems from, I can ride almost normally on the right rein, just sometimes using too much outside rein as I can’t give with that rein very well without a shooting pain up my neck. The left rein is a disaster, I can’t hold my outside rein at all, I sit off centre the horses are generally very confused.

I was working away quite ok, being very aware of my hand placement, using bungees to try strengthen and stretch whilst riding but now my legs have gone all to plot, to the point where I have no control of my right leg, where I really notice it is in the canter transitions, especially on the right rein, as soon as I sit deep to put my leg on it literally just flails and I’ve tried everything to try and get it stronger but I’m at my wits end, I do weekly stirrupless sessions to keep my balance but it’s gotten to the point I can’t do that anymore.

My confidence has hit an all time low because of this, I can’t bare to watch videos of me riding and I dread riding on the left rein or asking for right canter, each session ends with me so negative as I know I should be so much better.

I don’t know what advice I’m looking for here, I suppose what you would do in my position, the logical answer would be time off and work on getting straight again but I currently have 14 horses in work and im booked up for the next 2 months.. ugh!!

Thanks for any replies. X

I had the same sort of thing, I got thrown from my horse who fell in the school whilst taking off miles from a jump (think sun was in his eyes) and got knocked unconcious and when I came round was aware of a pain in my right shoulder.

Someone took me to A&E as they were concerned I had a head injury and long story short I had, was blue lighted for a CT scan and spent the night in intensive care. Had weeks off work as a result. But I'd damaged the nerves in my shoulder and I couldn't move my arm one iota, it was completely paralysed.

After four days in a hospital ward they released me and I had to do exercises to make it better as the feeling gradually returned. I also had to attend physio on a weekly basis for a couple of months. However I was really not into the physio, I think from memory because it hurt so much and gave up after about two sessions. I didn't do the 'homework' they'd set me either and my shoulder is an odd shape, it has set forwards more than the other one so is at an odd angle.

It had never really caused me problems since but for the first few months it ached like crazy when I rode.

 

[McFluff]

So sorry to hear about your situation OP. It is really difficult, particularly as you are self-employed, but you really need to get some help and focus on your own health and wellbeing. Paddi22 advice is very good.
You only get one body, so you need to prioritise looking after it. While a few weeks of rehab now may seem difficult, it will pay dividends in the longer term. Can you switch to ground work and easier ridden (getting a rider to help you out) while you fix your body?
It really sounds like your confidence is related to your physical concerns, so I would expect that to return as your body heals.

 

[Jellymoon]

Oh crikey, I feels so sorry for you, you have my sympathy.
I think some positive thinking is needed though, I know you can get over this! I’m thinking of all those eventers over the years who have crunching falls and still come back on top. Ok, they probably have access to funds and care we don’t have, but surely not everyone? How do they do it? Perhaps a post on an Eventing forum might give you some inspiration and hope.
Also, I have no idea how it works, but have you looked at the services The Injured Jockey Fund provides? I believe it was set up to help professional riders in your situation. It’s a charity, so perhaps subsided care is provided?
I think you can get yourself straightened out. Sending large amounts of PMA your way!

 

[mini_b]

Can you switch to ground work and easier ridden (getting a rider to help you out) while you fix your body?
It really sounds like your confidence is related to your physical concerns, so I would expect that to return as your body heals.

also so sorry to hear what’s happened
I know you will be concerned about cash flow being self employed (me too!!) so is there anyone that can ride for you while you give all direction from the ground? I mean a young, keen able rider you can trust that would be glad of the experience?

I really hope you get sorted, I’m also bust up as well and have considerable movement limitations which I’m worrying won’t be resolved with physio. I don’t ride for a job however so absolutely not in same boat. Sending hugs!

 

[Wishfilly]

I'm not a doctor, but the leg stuff sounds very concerning- it might just be you being too critical of yourself, but is there any possibility of nerve damage at all?

The fact that its not responding to the work you normally do, and you are struggling to ride without stirrups is doubly concerning unfortunately.

I think you need to speak to a medical professional ASAP.

It's obviously really really tough being self employed, but if you damage yourself long term then you may have to give up what you do all together.

As others have said, if you could get another rider in, or perhaps someone to split bills on your yard, in the short term, would that help?

 

[spotty_pony]

So sorry to hear this. Echo what others have said about getting a medical opinion. It sounds like could be nerve damage if it is spreading into your leg too? Is it possible you may need an op on your collarbone?