Adapting to difficulties

[kittles]

I wasn't really sure this was the right place for this thread, but I thought you guys might be the best qualified to give me advice.

I learnt to ride as a kid, while my health was perfect, and rode for a long time as an able-bodied person. After a long break, I started having lessons again last year (I'm only 26, but have developed fibromyalgia, asthma and arthritis quite badly in both hips and pretty mildly in my hands and one shoulder) and am finding it quite hard going.

My biggest problem is with my hips, and I especially get quite a lot of pain from sideways movement. This means that my legs are never in the right position, I lose my stirrups quite a lot (although can ride perfectly well without them) and I have some difficulty with leg aids. In my last lesson, I was on quite a sluggish horse, and was really struggling to use my legs strongly enough to get him to perk up. My instructor is not the most understanding (I'm thinking about changing), and she kept yelling at me to 'kick on' and failed to understand that I physically can not kick as hard as she wanted me to!

I was so frustrated after that lesson that I actually considered giving up riding for good, but after finding this board and reading stories from people who have much greater difficulties than me and yet still ride, I think I just need to adapt. I think my problem might be that I am trying to still ride as a person with healthy joints, when I'm not, rather than recognising my difficulties and working around them.

Apart from finding an instructor who I get on with, and who'll cut me just a little slack when I need it (any recommendations would be fab), does anyone have any advice for learning to adapt? I don't want to have to give up something I love just because my stupid body won't do what I want it to!

[sugarpuff]

Hi :)

Just wanted to say chin up and dont give up riding. there are lots of sympathetic instructors out there and hopefully the peps on here can give you some good advice.

x

[Trewsers]

Only advice I can offer is to find yourself a more understanding instructor (which you already know). Just wanted to say, don't give up - if its something you love and enjoy then go for it. Please don't be disheartened, I'm sure there are other NR members with lots of good advice and things they can share with you. Keep us posted! (You sound like you are doing ok, specially as you are not at all bothered about losing your stirrups, that would send most learners into a mild panic!!!)

[nutkin]

I can totally sympathise with you as I too have asthma and arthritis of my hips and also back problems.I find it difficult to open my hips for riding and using my seat is also difficult due to my hips and my back.You will find it difficult riding horses who are sluggish and really need something responsive but not neccessarily forward going.Also if you are like me you will find that you cannot ride anything to wide.I suggest you speak again to the instructor and explain your concerns.If they are unwilling or unable to help you then ask for a different instructor who can or else change schools.A good instructor and riding school should be able to help you adapt your aids to be able to ride comfortably and also provide suitable horses.
With regard to the stirrups I find it more comfy riding with the bendy stirrups as they absorb my weight and the stresses placed on my body better so it may be worthwhile investing in a pair to take to lessons.The school should be happy to accomodate this.Mine are made by shires and cost about £20.

[Big Ears]

my horse Rosie was given to me by her owner as she had knee problems and could not apply the aids forcefully enough for Rosie to listen, though i have managed to reschool her so she is quite good, though she can be hard work

you probably need a more forward going horse - also would you perhaps find riding western easier as you can get a horse that is very responsive, neck reins, requires you to use your seat and balance rather than so much leg.

i would try to find another instructor and a horse that you can work with more.

[blossom_kisses]

My sister has problems with her legs that stop her from riding as well as she used to. She recently started riding lessons at our local 'Riding for diasabled' riding school (even though she is not technically disabled). the instructors are really understanding becasue it is their job! and the horses are well behaved. it has enabled her to regain her confidence. Maybe you should look around and see if any similar schools are near you. hope this helps and good luck!:)

[kittles]

Thanks everyone! I've moved quite far away from my current riding school, so it makes sense to move completely, if I can find one I like nearer to me. I just need to find one that fits, which seems to be easier said than done!

Also if you are like me you will find that you cannot ride anything to wide.

You're not wrong! A few months ago I rode a horse in my lesson that was only about 16hh, but built like a tank, and she was so wide I couldn't even move my legs, let alone use them. I suffered for that!

[Jane.A]

You need to find a school that has better instruction and horses who are well schooled. I am originally from South Yorks, Sheffield but now in North Notts. I can recommend two schools who would be more empathetic. One is Wellow near Ollerton, the second is the place where I went post op to get my wings back,The Paddocks Riding Centre, Hough on the Hill off the A17 run by Karen Thompson. She is also a specialist RDA instructor and centre and has a mechanical horse who is fabulous for building muscle memory back up. Manor Grange stud just off the A1 near to Ferrybridge also now has a mechanical horse and Claire there is very nice tho' not an RDA specialist. Pm me if I can be of more assistance. I know it means travellling but if it means you have an enjoyable lesson it will be worth it.

[LMS]

Hi Kittles,
I would recommend a narrow horse with very smooth gaits. Also you may benefit from riding in a gel seat saver or sheepskin seat saver.

Instead of using up what little energy you have in your legs, I would also recommend riding with one or two dressage whips. This is not at all uncommon with spastic CP riders.

I hope you find a more accommodating instructor too.:)

Do you get many flare ups? It would be wise to not ride when you are having one.

[ShariN]

A lot of people do not know about needing a side to side walking horse or one that have a front to back walking motion.
I had someone ask me that long again..and at the time.. I had no idea what they were talking about...now I know..learned the hard way.

Sounds like you need to find a horse with a super smooth walk, with a front to back motion.
This is the same kind of horse I need.

My Fjord was the side to side walking horse..and she caused me such bad pain. For a troting horse breed she was super..super smooth. But it did not help my body.

In Iceland they use the super smooth ones for people with MS and what you have. I have the cousin to Fibro though some Doc's say I have Fibro too.
Those that have never had the disease, normally are not able to understand.
Is rare to find one that does understand unless a family has to deal with it.
Not to sound mean to others..but that is what I have personally dealt with.

With this last accident I had it made everything worse along with the broken lower back.

What you need to do is find someone with Icelandic's in your area and see if they are willing to ride..for a fee of course.
This way you can ride at your own speed..say in a round pen for now..on an horse that is much, much less likely to cause you pain.
Ride at a walk for only short periods of time. You will find with such a horse you will have little or no pain.
It really makes that big of a difference.

For me personally a more narrow horse just makes matters worse.
I have a grey Icelandic mare, that is wide for her breed..but not as wide say as a big cob or draft.
Her back is the perfect width.
I have only been on her once since this last accident..but she did not cause me pain. I plan on using her again to get my ablilty to walk back and help me with other issues like she did last time.

For you.. I would highly recommend a gaited horse.
The smoothest out there and I have ridden many different breeds..is the Icelandic.
Peruvian Paso.. the non show gaited Paso fino.

If you need help finding such a horse.. I am willing to help you look. There are also other Icelandic horse owners on this list that might know who you can talk with.

[LMS]

Aren't iclandics wide though?

We had a QH that had very minimal side to side, front to back motion: the perfect horse for someone such as yourself Skittles.

Such a horse is not that easy to find though.

But then again, having the proper saddle to fit you would also improve things a bit.

[ShariN]

Icelandic's are not as wide as cobs or Drafts.
Like I have said above,, my mare is about wide as they come in that breed but she in no where near wide as Cobs, Drafts and the like.
She is more the happy medium. I find the happy medium the best.

Not all Icelandic's are wide..when searching last year..tried way to many that were as narrow as American Shetlands..which is very scary to me. Narrow horses can be very hard to balance on and feel safe..exspecially if one has trouble with getting muscles to work.

Have been on many QH's..all are different in width and swing of their walk and from what she wrote.. they will not be smooth enough either. There are two lines of QH that used to have a single foot gait. But rarely are they for sale. Have a friend that has one. Rare as hens teeth.
She needs a very smooth gaited horse.
99% of the troting breeds will not help her.
Believe me I know, as I am in the same boat.

[eml]

Others have said it , you need a narrow responsive horse not a wide 'kick it' one. We teach a lady with artificial hips who has similar issues, she won our in house dressage last year!! Find the right horses/instructor.

[LMS]

Icelandic's are not as wide as cobs or Drafts.
Like I have said above,, my mare is about wide as they come in that breed but she in no where near wide as Cobs, Drafts and the like.
She is more the happy medium. I find the happy medium the best.

Not all Icelandic's are wide..when searching last year..tried way to many that were as narrow as American Shetlands..which is very scary to me. Narrow horses can be very hard to balance on and feel safe..exspecially if one has trouble with getting muscles to work.

I didn't know that about Icelandics. See ya learn something everyday!;) There aren't a lot of them here.

Have been on many QH's..all are different in width and swing of their walk and from what she wrote.. they will not be smooth enough either. There are two lines of QH that used to have a single foot gait. But rarely are they for sale. Have a friend that has one. Rare as hens teeth.

Totally depends on how the horse is put together: yes you're right they are rare & we had one of them;) :D

Believe me I know, as I am in the same boat. Me too! I found out last summer that my western saddle will be serving as an ornement now as it's just too wide for me to be comfortable in it anymore:( A year & half ago I also had to admit that I couldn't ride wide based horses anymore as well even if they did have an english saddle on.:( :(

[Roheryn]

I read this thread because sometimes feel I am in the same boat. I have back pain from an old disc rupture, as well as knee pain and other issues, plus as I'm older now I'm stiffer. I came back to riding after about 25 years away from it.
I agree with those who say try to find a gaited horse. I love my guy, but I do wish he were gaited. Posting his (very nice) trot is always uncomfortable and sometimes really painful if a joint or muscle gets overused.
I ride with a dressage whip as it's easier to tap him lightly with it (easier on him and on me) than to use my legs. He is slow to respond to leg but responds readily to the whip taps.
I ride in a lightweight western saddle because its seat width makes me feel more secure than any English saddle I've tried. It is easier for me to mount and dismount with an English saddle, but once mounted I feel more secure in the little western saddle. I think English saddles are safer, but I still feel more secure in the western one.
And do try to find a more sympathetic instructor. Mine is, but she really just doesn't understand what I am dealing with. Still, she is sympathetic, and takes my lessons as seriously as those of her younger, more fit and ambitious, riders. :)

[kittles]

Just thought I'd give you a bit of an update. I have decided to make the transition to happy hacker for a while and have a bit of relaxed fun, rather than stressing myself out with bored school horses, lessons and pain. I may have found a pony to ride a few times a week (fingers crossed!), and she's lovely - responsive, safe and comfortable. Plus she's small enough to get on and off without shattering my joints. If it all works out, I'll be a very happy bunny.

I'm also looking into getting some flexi stirrups and maybe a seat saver to make myself a little bit more comfy while I'm in the saddle.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and help me out!

[Roheryn]

I hope it goes well with the pony.
I'm being more of a happy hacker these days too, as I can't afford lessons right now and I'm not really comfortable doing much trotting.
Keep us posted!

[Afellpony]

I've got arthritis in my knees and now slightly in my left hip. I use a preparation called Rhus Tox which takes the pain away. However, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to mount him and find I have to clamber into the saddle now instead of 'spring' into it. Poor boy, he just stands there while I haul myself on to him. Rising trot is becoming a bit painful now as well. Oh the joys of getting older!!!!

[kittles]

Oh the joys of getting older!!!!

I dread to think what I'll be like when I'm getting older. I feel about 100 now! :o