only 2 weeks, but all change; a possible turning point

[coverblown]

Well its two weeks ago today since I broke my back and can't ride for 6 months.


Today I ventured back to the yard with Cait my daughter for her lesson. And was greeted by another client within 30 seconds to inform me just how all the lessons have changed since my "fall". The two "best" riders (I have been riding longer than both of them) have been taken out of the class and put up a class, and I have to ride with people who are just out of beginner classes, when I get back.....

Nobody from the yard told me this themselves. Charitably, I guess this is because 6 months is a long time... uncharitably, they couldn't be bothered....

Right now I feel so so p****d off.

I KNOW I can't ride for 6 months. I KNOW I have broken my back. But - oh god here is the pity party - WHY did I break my back, I wouldn't wish it on anyone else, but it isn't fair that its MY riding that never progresses, always takes a step back. WHY was I put on the broncing horse and not someone else.....

Is there anything I can do about all this, or just grin and bear it, (not grinning at home tho')

[Iron Maiden]

Poor you. I think you ought to rant and bear it myself, if all you did was grin you'd go bonkers! I guess there's not a great deal anyone can say to make things much better, but I'm sure the people at the yard haven't intended to upset you - it may be that what you've been told isn't 100% accurate anyway - and at least when you do clamber back on, the evenings will be long, the weather warm (hopefully) & the grass lush (won't mention the flies!!).

[ShariN]

Am so sorry you broke your back.

I broke my lower back among other areas Dec 17th.
Very much understand what you are going though.
Have had a few pitty parties and break downs. And like you,,,asking why me.
My life has totally changed and will never be the same again. All my plans and dreams...at least those ones are not to be.

I decided to make the best of it....do not get me wrong...I still have bad days.

I decided to paint again. Has been a long time and I was much better at it when I was 12 and 14 years old...and have the paintings to prove it.
But the more I paint...the more ideas of paintings I have. It keeps my mind busy. That is the most important thing I think..keeping ones mind busy on something other than what happened.

Will I ride again???...at this point I do not know if I will ride again...will just remember the good days on my grey squirrel. (She is the one I have been doing paintings of.)
Not think about it one way or another until the end of summer.
Maybe.. I would of just been safe riding my grey squirrel and not buying that new mare.....

I will be able to drive Maggie in cart again....sometime this summer. I have had her a long time and totally trust her.

We decided to order me a Dell XPS M1710 Laptop...since things will not change any time soon. That way I will not be alone during the weekdays. Normally I love being a hermit...but not when I am hurt. So I have access to the net/email, can watch movies, copy my paintings and do some gaming...spending part of the money from my selling my fjord mare for this.
So with the computer and my paintings I will keep myself busy.
(Had planned on buying that 4 wheel marathon carriage..but I figure since I can't finish Theia's training for a long while...that can wait)

So what do you like to do? Paint....knit.....do crafts?? find something you like to do...and do it! You will be suprised how much it can help you.

If you ever need someone to talk to I am here. Can email me at...
Autumnhaus@aol.com

[Skib]

I too am sorry about your back.

I am also sorry if you were not given fair and equal treatment at your RS.
I am sorry if the RS seem to be penalising you and holding up your progress or blaming you for something that is not your fault.
I am sorry the RS have not been open with you.

All these are familiar things to those of us who are dependent on riding schools for our riding. As a client one likes it or lumps it.

However, one is also a customer.
When you are ready health-wise to ride again, I suggest you look carefully at the riding schools near you. I appreciate there may only be one.
But when and if you return there, avoid the question of class allocation. Arrange for a few weeks private tuition and make sure you get a suitable horse every time.
Monitor your recovery and progress.
Dont part with money for anything that you wont enjoy or which puts you at risk.
But wait till the actual time, because teachers and classes and circumstances change. You cant take decisions in advance at most riding schools, not even a week in advance!

Be very careful not to be cross with the school or YO, however unreasonable they are. Since I fell last October, I have had the YO turn on me twice in fury about something which had nothing to do with me. Reason? Guilt. Uneasiness that she was out of order on safety issues. Believe me, they may not want you around any more since your fall. You know too much.

And you are not alone.

[Bronya]

They may want you to ride with less experienced people for a while so you're doing less dangerous things.

Regarding other riding schools, what is the surface like at yours? I was talking about your injury with my boyfriend today, saying how often I've had horrendous falls in a school and never got more than winded. He said the school he learned in, was never harrowed. It was so compacted down by constant use that it was really hard, not soft and 'fluffy' like all the schools I've ever known. If at yours the surface is hard and compacted, then for your own peace of mind, look round at others with a more forgiving surface. At least then you won't have to panic you'll break something if you come off.

[coverblown]

Oh thanks everyone for all the help in one of my "down" days... ShariN I do not paint, but I did used to do some craft - y things - I used to be absolutely WICKED at dressmaking (even if I say it myself) even adapting and designing pattern... so it may be time to take that up again. OH will of course have to life the sewing machine out of the loft.

Skib, every thread I read of yours offers spot on advice. I didn't ask about my class, and to be fair, they didn't volunteer. They don't even know yet properly that I want to come back; so if I'm not volunteering info how could they....

And IM, thanks for your quick quick and welcome support.

Melia; the arena is harrowed daily and is quite soft. I think its rubber and sand mixed. Was topped up in the summer.... The reason I think my injury was so bad is cos I was thrown up so high after B bucked several times and lastly put his head down (he was determined to get rid of me....). He might have had a sore back, I don't know; it was the second time he had a hooley in the lesson... uncommon but not unheard of, I generally sit to it... I saw him today (nobody riding him, yet he's a favourite) but didn't enquire about him or anything....

[NoviceNic]

I wonder if this yard and certain staff at the yard annoy you so much why do you stay there??? Is it the only yard near you?? Does your daughter have to ride there?? I am not suggesting you fall out with anyone. You are a customer and you have a choice whether you choose to ride there or not...:)

[coverblown]

Hi NN, thats exactly what OH said yesterday; and I guess I have a bit of a love - hate relationship with them. The facilities are great, the instructors are good but can be a bit up their own behinds.... daughter loves the horses, and they have competitions which we can enter not just the liverys.... and we (well she, not me) can enter their public comps hiring their horse/pony. While there are definitely other good riding schools near us I don't know of any that offer that. But I am on a mission to find out!!!

I was just full of self pity yesterday; sorry to have sent the post. First really really down day since the back break - I guess its because I was looking forward to going back; and the first thing I get is this piece of news... but admittedly from another client.

I can well understand your multi question marks, I know I've been moaning on about them and keep turning up for more........

[Trio]

[QUOTE=pepsimaxrock;1179385]Hi NN, thats exactly what OH said yesterday; and I guess I have a bit of a love - hate relationship with them. The facilities are great, the instructors are good but can be a bit up their own behinds....

i think its the same for all yards :rolleyes: things you love about them and things you wish you could change.
But you have to weigh up the good and bad- i think all yards can be a tad bitchy and quick to judge but as long as it's safe, horses are healthy and happy (and most importantly safe) and your time spent there is enjoyable then you're onto a winner.

It's terrible what happened to you and i think the RS is entirely to blame- putting clients on a horse that is known to buck in my book is a huge NO- why risk their reputation and license on one horse especially as they seem to have many others- totally bizarre - this horse should be removed and the reason for its bucking found out- if its becasue its in pain then why don't they remedy that- if its because its being naughty then they need to reschool with profs - they need to learn from your accident so it doesn't happen again .

i hope you have fun with your chosen hobby until you're up and about again- the months will fly by and you'll be out riding before you know it- but when you do make sure that it's a pony/horse that you want and not one they just throw you on because you're a better rider than the others in the class and can sit the bucks/rears better.:o

[NoviceNic]

I agree with Trio, in that I think there is some thinks you like about yards and there other things you hate. But hey thats life. Just concentrate on getting better. And when the time comes for you to ride again you will want to make yourself look good and drop down a level in lessons anyway...Show them you are a good rider and it is their misjudgement that made the mistake...:p ;) :D

[coverblown]

...Show them you are a good rider and it is their misjudgement that made the mistake...:p ;) :D

Yayy, I'll do just that. Thanks for the smile..
Anne

[eml]

I wouldn't read too much into what another client said. I don't know how your school works but we try to balance groups by ability, weight and general people compatability so I have the best use/choice of all my horses. It may be something as simple as knowing you were to be out of the class for six months the school has just moved a few people around...certainly I don't know how another customer could predict what class you would be in when you return.

In any case I agree with Skib that you are probably going to want to restart with a few private lessons.

[coverblown]

yep, private lessons is the way I will re-start. I would like to get back to all three paces asap - when I restart of course, I am going to abide by doctor's orders, they are well reasoned - and I don't want to get back to my adult beginner's fear of canter. So I would like first of all a lunge lesson on the safe armchair lunge schoolmaster, in all three paces if possible... I trust head girl RI to decide whether thats appropriate for a first return, and then take it from there.

I have apologised loads of times for yesterday's post (this thread starter), but again, it was my first really really downer of a day, and I shoved it onto the board... sorry folks.

Thanks eml as ever for your advice too, always always welcome.

Anne

[coverblown]

and finally, I agree eml, I shouldn't take another clients say-so... I am sure the school are just reorganising their lessons to suit, after all, I will be out of mine for 6 months, its a long time.

And even if RI did say what she did, I am sure she didn't intend it to be repeated to me by a gossipy client at the first opportunity!