Riding through illness

[ljpinkhorse]

I was wondering if anyone has any storys to share about how they have coped with riding ( or not riding , as the case sometimes is) through chronic illness . I am 15 and have Crohns disease ( auto immune digestive disorder - non-contagious) and have not been able to ride for 4 months whilst getting my illness under control

A few years ago i was going through a bad flare up and even though some days i could barely move through pain / exhaustion and i wasnt even well enough to attend school i carried on doing my share pony on DIY livery 3 days a week and it seems when im at the yard i never get tired no matter how ill i am

 

[tinawales]

I am sorry to hear of your illness. I do hope that your health improves and that you are spared another flare up.
Many of us old crocks have arthritis or other problems which cause pain - like you we find that we can manage our horses (which we love) and ignore the pain but not other things which are less fun/exhausting.
I am sure that happiness (which is horse shaped) helps people cope with disease.I hope you have many happy years (say 80 or so) enjoying riding and caring for ponies and horses. You only have to look at the disabled people who ride and improve to know that horses are great healers.

 

[tabithakat64]

I have ME, IBS and arthritis, sometimes I'm too tired, sick or in too much pain to ride or do heavy work but I love just being with my horses and it does seem help me keep a positive attitude

I think horses and pets in general help our health and well being and hope your own health improves soon.

 

[ironhorse]

The show jumper Graham Lovegrove has Crohn's disease and had to give up riding for a while. He's OK now but has to look after himself.
Perhaps you could write to him via the BSJA for some words of encouragement and practical tips?
As regards riding making you feel better, I'm another arthritic one, and some days riding is about the only thing I can do.

 

[annabobble]

I'm 13, I've just had a hole in the heart closure and can't ride until august, I no how you feel, it's horrible not being able to do something u love so much, just like you even when I'm off school i still manage to muck out a few stables . I find that doing some in hand work helps me cope, it's also nice to feel a bond with you're horse. If you want to give it a shot try the parelli Severn games, and you don't need all the specialist equipment to do it either, this site explains how to do them .

http://www.wikihow.com/Do-the-Seven-Games-of-Parelli
hope this helps.