Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction and riding.

I guess they don't call people like me happy hackers for nothing do they D?

Look at my post under Clodagh's post. Pics of Patches, under the chooks and ducks, I just long to be able to ride her like that.

One day I tell you....one day!!!!!!!! She is only 8 after all so there really is no rush eh? lol
 
I agree with everything everyone else has said re your bravery, & it not really mattering about your toes turning out. I was going to suggest spurs, but thats been covered as well.
I just can't believe that you had to try several instructors until you found one that who was prepared to take your physical probelms on board. Thats dreadful, & I'm so glad you've now found one who's sympathetic to you.
 
Friend of mine had that too, your lucky because she cant ride and is still walking with a stick after 5years! I think patience and lateral thinking are the answers. Lee Pearson does amazing things with weak legs. (He does have a fab horse and lessons of Carl Hester mind you!) Stick with it and remember that your horse loves you because you are you!
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Oh my God! The poor thing!

I really do have immense sympathy for her. It's awful to have to go through it. I think I should stop moaning and be thankful for how well I've come out of it in the end!
 
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I guess they don't call people like me happy hackers for nothing do they D?

Look at my post under Clodagh's post. Pics of Patches, under the chooks and ducks, I just long to be able to ride her like that.

One day I tell you....one day!!!!!!!! She is only 8 after all so there really is no rush eh? lol

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There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with being a happy hacker hun - it's not 'lesser' than any other horsey pastime, in fact it's a popular choice for many many people.

You are also a SPD sufferer, so you are always going to be limited to a certain extent, but from what I've seen in pics, you ride amazingly well and should stop putting yourself down.
Having met you, I also know that you are far more knowledgable than you or anyone else realises.

I wish you could see what I and others see - a caring, knowledgable and competant horsewoman, who's also too darn modest for her own good...
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Stop it Mrs D before you have me in tears!!!!!!

I'm not knowledgeable at all, I just have no social life. Since owning horses my OK and Hello Magazines have been replaced by endless horsey books! To the pass the time of course.....well they do have fabulous coloured pictures you know!
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Nope, nowt wrong with happy hackers in my eyes, riding should be carefree and fun. However, it's strange that only us happy hackers think having no ambition to go around Badminton, compete at Hickstead etc isn't a bad waste of our horse.

I love my horse, she's happy (ish) for the most part. I guess that's all that really matters.

All we need to do is find you a new Jae and you'll be well away!
 
You and Patches do so well together so nothing to worry about - agree 100% with Tia's comments above.

I cannot get my legs/heels on Cairo - he is a big boy and I am a shortarse with very short legs. He has adapted to me - his previous owner is very tall and has lovely long legs to wrap round him.

When we did dressage I just used the end of a schooling whip where my leg should be and I can get him to collect and go nicely. That said, now we just mooch along with the western tack and he is very happy. Truth be told he is far happier mooching out hacking than schooling - most horses are if given the choice.

As I recall you were going to have a go at endurance - she doesn't need to be in an outline for that - have a go at it and enjoy it and don't worry how you look - riding should be fun and nothing else matters.
 
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As I recall you were going to have a go at endurance - she doesn't need to be in an outline for that - have a go at it and enjoy it and don't worry how you look - riding should be fun and nothing else matters.

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Totally, totally why I was thinking of having a go at some pleasure rides and then working up to Endurance. I feel I'm on more of an equal footing riding in that environment. No one pressures you to make your horse work correctly or looks down upon you, nicknaming you a "Happy hacker" in lessons if your horse isn't up on the bit and in a dressage outline. Both Patches and I find it hard work and I'm just not sure I should be focussing so much on it, especially as I physically find it hard to try and collect her in that way.

I've been overwhelmed by the positive responses. I didn't make this thread for sympathy and have been totally buoyed by the solutions and thoughts of all of you.

I'm glad to hear so many don't think constantly carrying a schooling whip is a bad thing too. I'm sure over time Patches and I will work better, more consistently, but as you say Theresa...we have fun and that really is what matters most of all.....let's face it, it's the reason most of us ride and own our horses eh?
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As for Cairo. He's lovely! Certainly a big boy, even compared to Patches. I can't imagine I'd be able to get my legs around him either.

I've often thought you know, when people do the "which forum horse would you like to ride, that Cairo, Tia's Spotty and Red are the three horses that really spring to mind as being horses I'd love to sit on.
 
Whenever you are in Essex, Mr C will be waiting. He is an armchair ride and you will love him - no spooking or arsing about and a great fun ride - he is has a lot more stamina on his simple systems diet.

Benjamin on the forum came over Thursday and we had a lovely ride out - Mr C tried his best, but Benjamin showed him a clean pair of heels down the bridleway. He was so sweet - flat out with his ears back and neck stretched in his best race horse impression.

Her OH had a go on Mr C in the western saddle and I think we can say another conversion to a clydie and a western saddle
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Or you could try Chancer..... My little cousin had a tiny ride on him at the weekend and he was excellent - nice little walk and trot in the school with a novice rider - he is such a good little boy.
 
I had no idea Chancer had been started under saddle! When did that happen? I most certainly missed that one!
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If I am ever in your neck of the woods (must admit, chances are slim) I would definitely pop over to visit Mr C and Master C...and you of course!

Bless Mr C. Patches is a bit like that when in gallop mode. No-ones ever told her she's not a thoroughbred either! They're so funny and clearly have as much fun as we do when they go for a blast don't they? Actually, I bet Mr C in all his fluffy glory looks so cute when flat out with all his fluff blowing in the wind.....bit like an Old English Sheep dog running through long grass!

Hmmm....I'm dreaming now. I can't remember the last time Patches and I went for a blast....hmm...actually I can, it was over stubble fields last summer and the little horror bolted! Perhaps I shouldn't remember that one!
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He started about 8 weeks ago - we do about 10 mins every two weeks and are taking things very slowly so far apart from one bucking session with me learning to fly he has been excellent. He now walks, turns, halts and we have just started a few steps of trot. He is learning very fast as usual and taking it all in his stride.

Vet and physio looked at him before we started and were happy for me to progress as he is mature for his age and has a nice bit of muscle from doing long reining and hacking out off Cairo for the past 10 months.

He is getting very big and filling out - going to be a big lad and his bum is going up again - he had better not go over 15.1 but I am thinking he may do.

Plan is to start little hacks in April and build up over the summer and start a little schooling this time next year when he is 3 1/2 so he will be ready to go under the saddle showing in 2008 as a four year old.

He also jumped a tiny pole (1' at one end with the other on the ground recently. Again we are going to spend a long time doing this building up very gently so by the time he is 4 1/2 we can start it with being ridden - he loved it.

I am fingers crossed going to have a good all rounder when he is older.
 
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