Brian Injury

[bluetiggerhelen]

My ex OH is getting intrested in riding mainly through me. He suffered a serious brain injury 2 years ago fracturing his skull and punctuaring an ear drum in a cycling accident. He also has constant double vision. He has recovered really very well.

I could easily see him becoming a happy hackner riding perhaps 2x a week. He is very much an animal person.

Is his interest madness?:confused:

[Nazdaq]

well it depends really, how does the double vision effect him, does he have vertigo with it (dizziness?) If so then perhaps it is not safe to ride. Also, as I have never had double vision I don't know what it is like, does it effect his judgement at all (does he judge spaces/distances wrongly at all?) Again if yes this could be dangerous. Perhaps talking to his consultant/GP would be a good idea and see what thier opinion is. If you get the goahead from them then try to find a qualified RDA school to ride at, and if he has any problems in the learning process, they may have tools/advice to help. Perhaps he could also do some groundwork around horses as well if he hasn't already done so (under supervision of course)

I hope I'm not being too bold, and that some of these suggestions help. :D

[bluetiggerhelen]

well it depends really, how does the double vision effect him, does he have vertigo with it (dizziness?) If so then perhaps it is not safe to ride. Also, as I have never had double vision I don't know what it is like, does it effect his judgement at all (does he judge spaces/distances wrongly at all?) Again if yes this could be dangerous. Perhaps talking to his consultant/GP would be a good idea and see what thier opinion is. If you get the goahead from them then try to find a qualified RDA school to ride at, and if he has any problems in the learning process, they may have tools/advice to help. Perhaps he could also do some groundwork around horses as well if he hasn't already done so (under supervision of course)

I hope I'm not being too bold, and that some of these suggestions help. :D

No thanks - it is good to know what people think. His vision is literally double with a slant so blurred. It doesn't affect his judgement - it is just there - somehow he has adjusted. His balance may be affected by the ear though. His overall problem is that his thought process is slower than you or mine. Which I could envisage causing him issues. I don't think his GP would have a clue if we asked him. He'd be totally baffled by why he wants to ride a horse. This is London afterall.

The ground work could be a good one. He is maybe funding the outlay of my first horse when I get settled, so perhaps he can come along and learn some stable management and help me out:D

[Nazdaq]

That is a good point about the GP, they often don't have a clue! I have perforations in both my eardrums (deaf in left ear; good hearing in right) and it does not cause a problem for me with balance. I also have severe short-sightedness (wear glasses) and a squint which does cause a small amount of tunnel-vision, but again I compensate with turning my head and being more aware of what is around me. With the thought process I don't think this would be a problem as long as he had a patient teacher (I recommend going to an RDA centre who specialise in disabled riders)

If your husband doesn't mind starting slow (perhaps have a few lessons on a lead rein) then I don't see a problem, this combined with learning respect of horses on the ground (as you say helping you, which sounds fantastic!) should be a great learning process, almost rehabilitation through horses. I'm sure he will develop coping mechanisms as time goes on and he rides more, the brain is great at adapting to a new situation.

I sincerly wish you both all the best, I'm sure he will love it! :D

[c2b]

He sounds like he has similar injuries to my son. Again a cycling accident. My son has almost no short term memory so finds learning difficult. He does occasionally get on my mare but only in an enclosed area and with someone else around. My son is almost 28.

[bluetiggerhelen]

He sounds like he has similar injuries to my son. Again a cycling accident. My son has almost no short term memory so finds learning difficult. He does occasionally get on my mare but only in an enclosed area and with someone else around. My son is almost 28.

So you will know that if he hits his head again the affect will be 2-3 x worse as for you or I? That worries me. Its all very well learning at as disabled centre but we can all easily fall off and hit our heads.

Its werid though - I've fallen off heaps of time (luckly never badly) and so have many others but I've not heard of many horse riding head injuries. Maybe because we all wear hats these days?

He has also decided that it it did become serious he would like a 'shire' LOL - even further to fall!!!!

It can be too easy to mollycodle though and say don't do this, don't do that - esp after a very traumatic experience. Its a really hard balance to find the balance though.

[Silvia]

The thing with brain injuries is that the resulting disability is very different in each person. With me it affects coordination and strength on my right as well as balance and concentration. So I can't really say how difficult it could be to ride with double vision. But - if your ex has adjusted and can manage his every day life I don't see why he should not ride.
I know what you are saying re falling off - but for me, I fall more often just walking down the street or down the stairs. And then i don't have a hat on. :D I have fallen off horses too, and knocked my head, broken my wrist and bruised different parts and my brain coped o.k. Accidents can happen, but on a reliable horse and with an instructor who does not rush things I would think the risk is not too high.
And the enjoyment I get out of my horse and the physical benefits more than weigh up the risk.

[bluetiggerhelen]

Yes you are right he does fall over while out and about. Mostly for no reason. From the sounds of it you cope very well. And yes I agree he could get a lot from riding desipte the occasional bump.

Thank you. You have encourgaed me to encourage him.:D

[missyL]

i occasionally suffer from double vision due to a head injury a couple of years back, originally i had no sight in one eye and when it returned i occasionally got double vision and quite often one eye 'jumps' and looses focus so i cant see proberly but i still ride with it, i do all sorts, X country, the lot! i luckily have a horse that reconizes that i cant always see very well and she carries me great and doesnt muck around when she senses something is wrong. horses are very good at telling when you have a slight disadvantage and if you have a good enough bond with them then they wouldnt take advantage of that fact. if you can find him a safe horse that he is comfortable riding and feels secure on even when he is struggling with his sight then i dont see a problem with it. i would recommned though that if he does ahve double vision that he doesnt hack out on his own for safety reasons. :D
hope that helps;)

[Tots N Dots]

there is a lady at my yard who had a head injury in a car accident which left her in a wheelchair for a while, I dont know the details that much, but I know I wouldnt get on her horse!, I believe she rode before her accident, she says she finds concentration difficult and is a bit nervous of coming off, but she seems to do really well?

I think everything is a risk, its just how you evaluate it?, I have a back injury and was told not to ride? but while I am carefull and not reckless I ride, I could be in a worse state if I got hit from behind while driving the car, but I never think twice about driving :rolleyes:

I would say get the best protective equipment you can and take things steady :) good luck