WWYD: My right wrist is in a cast. Worst timing possible!

Dusty85

Dusty85

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 February 2013
Messages
1,931
Location
Wiltshire
Visit site
Hi all, Im just after a bit of advice, Im sure some of you have been in same situation and any bright ideas would be welcome.

So, unfortunately my right wrist and thumb is in cast as I've broken my thumb and torn the ligament off. The cast needs to be on for 6 weeks! Its my right hand, so my dominant side. Its not too sore, but because its my thumb the cast is quite rigid around my thumb which is a little awkward, but my fingers are all free.

This is the worst timing possible as I've just bought a new horse. I haven't had the chance to do much with her yet as she was really quite unsettled at first, although thank goodness does seem to be settling more now. She's quite a bold pushy mare at times, but thankfully seems to be manageable currently.

She's only 5, turning 6 in april so I really don't want to give her 6 weeks off. (I can if it comes to it, but id prefer not to. she's also the type where she needs work and stimulation). Im also really reluctant to send her away as she was really unsettled and a bit of pain when she first arrived so I don't want to go through that all over again when she comes home. I also want to continue to bond with her.

So, currently my plan is to do all the stable jobs etc myself. (done the past day without too much bother, just takes me a bit longer). There is a arena at a livery yard down the road that I can hire so I should be able to lunge her a couple times per week. There is a girl who rides my friends horse (who mine is kept with), so I could pay her to hack her a couple times per week too.

The other issue is schooling. Ive got a towing licence, but my husband doesn't. My friend at the stable does, but she's pregnant (hence not riding) although i would feel a little bad asking her to tow my mare to the people that had her before to do some schooling once per week. (she came from a professional event yard). She is young, talented but opinionated with it so I want to make sure she's being schooled properly.

Im also thinking to do some ground work/horsemanship type stuff with her. She clever so I think it would keep her mind active, plus help us bond a little more too.

Any ideas/suggestions would be gratefully received, I've not been in this situation before so not sure what would be best.

Thanks all and I'm sorry it got a little long!
 
Yes, thats what I'm hoping for really. I want her worked in some way 5 times per week really. Its difficult because I want someone I can trust, but someone who is also very competent, as you have be quite firm with her on the ground.

Do you know of anyone locally?
 
Finding someone to trust with your young horse is the issue. I learnt recently that it is far better to give the horse time off, than to have to undo other people's mistakes, so in future I'll always turn away.
 
I might be wrong here so please don't just take my word for it, but I think that if you have had a towing licence for a certain number of years, your husband should be able to tow with you sitting in the passenger seat - if this was a more viable option than asking your friend? In fact, if he passed his driving test before 1997, he should be able to tow without obtaining a specific licence... I'm really not sure on the laws but I know my friend, who doesn't have a towing licence, tows with her mum in the car who does have a licence, but she does have to stick L plates on the trailer. Might help you get your horse back to the pros who had her before a bit more regularly?
 
Im a few miles from Jct 18 M4 (Bath/stroud junction)

Thanks happy bear- he passed his test after 1997. Ill look into the other rules as it might be an option, although he's only around at weekends.

ETA- i have only had my towing liscene since Dec 2012 though- so not long!
 
Last edited:
How far away is the yard she came from? Would it be an option to pay someone from there to come to you?
I think I would be seriously considering turning away if you can't find one person to work her.

I have done an injury like yours before, make sure you give it plenty of time to heal , I rushed it a bit & it put me back weeks, hope your not to sore :)
 
She came from a yard thats about 50mins away, I guess that is an option, but they are busy people (especially with the upcoming season) so Im not sure she would be able to come twice per week to school her- although that would probably be my most preferred option, not sure how realistic it would be. That plus me lunging or walking out in hand would be enough to keep her ticking over.

Such a pain! Im tying to be good, although there is certain stuff i have to do like mucking/turning out etc. Tying hay nets is a bit of a struggle currently!
 
I know it feels like forever at the moment but six weeks is nothing in the scheme of things.

Personally, I would turn her away but continue to see her in the field and make a fuss of her etc. It will give her time to settle properly and you time to heal before you begin working her. It's tempting to rush into work with a new horse but finding someone you really trust can be tricky, especially when you don't really know the horse yourself.
 
Ouch.. I feel for you.. When I broke my femur I was off for a good three months.. With my mare it was better for her just to be left in a field for 3 months.. and that's what she got!

Let me have a think about who I can recommend.. know quite a few around this area. :)
 
It's never great timing, but you know what? I think it's the best timing it can be. Spend the time just getting to know each other. Bit of grooming, maybe a walk, just chill out together. Try some clicker training, maybe massage. Six weeks will soon pass. ☺
 
Moleskinmum....you are exactly right, I don't really know her that well at the moment and a worry would be incase someone hurt themselves when i wasn't there.

Fransurrey- you a right in a way- the pressure is a little off me and her, and i can build a bond with her on the ground, walk in hand etc. Im going to book a lesson with the horsemanship lady to give us somethings to do which I think will be worthwhile time spent.

Not thought about massage, sounds good, but as long as I can do it with my left hand!

Thanks Tern- let me know if you think anyone might be suitable. Poor you- a thumb is nothing compared to a femur!
 
Um, can you ride one-handed? It's easy for me as all of ours go that way, and the reins are held in the left hand anyway, perhaps not for you if you aren't sure she'll respond well but I would highly recommend it for anyone to try!
 
I broke my right wrist several years ago, thankfully as I was 15 at the time it was only 6 weeks in a cast and then 2 months in a brace/support.

I was able to have someone at the yard pop on my horse at least once a week, and it also gave me time to 'bond' with him and get him more used to me - definitely think that being able to do a lot more work on the ground and getting to know her will do her the world of good.

hope you have a good quick recovery, at least you won't be in a cast over summer when it gets sweaty and smelly and gross!
 
My friend is in a similar situation as you, new horse, young 5 yr old 2 months into owning and he tanked off wth her resulting in a broken collar bone!

Luckily for her i was volunteered to jump on board and keep him ticking over, he is a nervy type so she didnt want just anyone on him, and our instructor said i would be ok! Hopefully she gets the ok to ride soon!!

best of luck with the break hope it heals fast, if you cant find anyone to trust then turn her away its not worth risking her learning bad habits that you then have to undo! It sucks but it wont kill her, my 5 yr old had to have 9 months off due to injurying his tendon so our plans are about a yr behind but he's coming along very nicely now :)
 
3 days after my last GCSE, my boy and I had a fall and, as he got up, he stood on my arm and kicked me (unintentionally) in the face. I almost detached the tendon from my bicep, it was hanging by a thread. It was the beginning of June and I had a summer of riding planned. I'd wait for mum and dad to go to work, then sneak up to the farm with my friend who would tack him up for me and we'd go off for the day, me riding one handed with the other in a sling. However, he was a lot older and I knew him inside out . I was also 16 and could blame it on the foolishness of youth. 20+ years on I still haven't told my mum!

I'd just spend some time grooming her, doing some ground work and maybe a spot of lunging. A lot of fairly recently started horses have a good break so as long as you keep her ticking over on the ground I'm sure she'll be fine. I'd then maybe ask the pro who started her to come out a few times to ride her just before you're ready to get back on in case she's a bit fresh.
 
Dusty85 said:
Thanks Tern- let me know if you think anyone might be suitable. Poor you- a thumb is nothing compared to a femur!
Click to expand...

Hello.. Don't know which if any are your way but there is Joe McDonald (he may ride for you & he is Cirencester way), Charlotte Armstrong (schooler Gloucester way I think), Paul Gaff (Often advertises on GHR, again may or may not school for you), Someone Hartpury/Ashleworth way offering schooling late January - has own event horse and worked at international event yards.. can send you link to their profile.


If you are willing to move horse I may know a few yards! :)
 
Thanks all, Im starting to feel a little better about it all now, maybe it will turnout just fine doing ground work and lunging. I can walk her out in hand through tracks etc too. (keep us both fit!)

Thanks Tern- I have seen a few of those on GHR so I may message them. Im really keen for her to stay with me at my place. I don't want to unsettle her too much- plus I feel she is beginning to settle now and we're getting on a bit better- something that I don't want to interrupt. There is a little school at a nearby yard I can rent for someone to come, or Im in the same village as Alice Peternell so I might be able to rent those schools too, they will have better surfaces for jumping.

Im waiting to get the all clear so that I can drive (insurance company are happy as long as a doctor is happy- so I'm off to convince my GP on thursday!) In which case I might be able to tow- although I wouldn't go alone- then I can take her to the event yard where she came from for some schooling too.


Feeling much more positive...think it might be okay :)

My only slight concern is doing too much- don't want the length in cast to be prolonged!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top