What do I do now?! Spinal cord injury after a fall.

[IrishMilo]

Only you know your horse well enough to decide if he's suitable for you going forward. Does he have form for being difficult or was this a bit of a freak accident? Sorry to hear about your accident, how absolutely terrifying. These posts always give me pause for thought I must admit!

 

[mbf938]

Only you know your horse well enough to decide if he's suitable for you going forward. Does he have form for being difficult or was this a bit of a freak accident? Sorry to hear about your accident, how absolutely terrifying. These posts always give me pause for thought I must admit!

He’s the safest horse I’ve owned. In 3 years this is the only fall I’ve had from him and it was on the flat! We jumped the stage 3 cross country course the day before no bother! However he’s also the biggest I’ve owned and I personally wonder if I’d be better off on a smaller native or cob type as I won’t be able to ride the way I did before.

 

[mbf938]

Thank you everyone. I think I have my answer as even though he suited me before, I don’t think he will going forwards and in the meantime I could really use the money for rehab over the next 6-12 months

 

[I'm Dun]

I’d sell him personally.

Me too. And plough every penny into private physio with someone experienced in rehabbing spinal injuries. It will be worth it.

 

[GTRJazz]

I had a stroke back end of March this year and I get very tired , had lost the use of my right arm but that soon came back. Also had a lot of pain in my arm . Had a walk around on my horse a few weeks after, the 2nd time he rolled with me on him must have worked out I was weak as the saying goes pick your battles so will hack out next time . My other horse is more of a challenge so he is kept going by a trainer. Will be back on again and see no problem with wearing an Air Jacket. As strokes go I was lucky no heart issues in fact I am in really good health ok except a Left bit of my basal ganglia in now dead Yuk. I could have easily become Paralysed sat at home, so am pushing on because I still love riding and my horses

 

[Sossigpoker]

After I broke my back I swore I'd never ride again. I wasn't as badly hurt as you though, my fracture was stable.
I sold my youngster that I fell off from as there's no way I would have got on her again.
As I recovered physically, I started to miss the whole lifestyle so I went back to a riding school. And 6 months later bought my cob ,who wasn't suitable, he bolted and kept putting me on the floor. Not great when your nerves are shattered to start with ! He's now brilliant and I'm glad I persevered with him as I'm now really enjoying him.
Had I been as badly hurt as you though, I probably would have talked myself out of any ideas of riding again. I just would be so scared of a secondary injury .

My suggestion would be to think about selling the horse in question ,.as you say you'll need something much quieter if you are to ride. And once you're physically able , maybe visit an RDA centre for a lesson and see how you feel about it mentally. Maybe you won't be that bothered once you get there ,maybe you'll miss it like mad?
If you do decide to ride again ,.on anything,.please invest in an air jacket. They really do offer far superior protection to just a body protector on its own.