How do you do it?

[summerguest]

I am a fully abled person...getting on a bit..with a back problem...and quite often moan about finding things harder these days ..stiff joints...weaker muscles....and on days when my back really hurts it does knock my confidence.....How do you all cope with your individual disabilities?

I am completely in awe of the para olympics ( not just riding ). I just can't imagine how difficult it must be for some of you....knowing how difficult a lot of fully abled people find learning to ride. I do a bit of freelance teaching and would like to work for the RDA when I am free of the school runs!

[Siogfinsceal]

Solpadeine and Nurofen! :D
I tend mainly to just get on with it. I don't hurt as much when I ride or clip as I do afterwards. sometimes teh only time my backs not sore is when im on a horse!
I also go to a spineologist once every 2 weeks if not more. I tolerate my back up to a point but when it gets to teh stage where walking hurts (happens if I really put it out), I head down straight away and get some work done on it.
Ive got scoliosis and some damaged vertabrae in my neck but compared to many people its nothing so Im grateful that I can ride and jump and clip.

What scares the life out of me is that I may end up very hunched or unable to ride or do any excercise in later life

a friend of mine has friedrichs ataxia and shes an inspiration you should see that girl do dressage. Compared to what she goes through my sore backs nothing. Shes hoping to do the paralympics in the next few years on her horse

[Abserd]

Yeh painkillers afterwards work for me too! I'm usually alright during the riding, grooming, leading, running around etc, but my back and especially my arms ache like mad later on and the next day. I take Mefenamic Acid which is an NSAID on prescription which is great. I know riding will cause my arms to ache, but i'll not stop as that's giving in!

[summerguest]

Yes..I guess painkillers help a lot of people!!!

The thing that really intrigues me is watching people with amputated limbs or born with limb deformaties doing dressage. They make it look so easy, and appear completely balanced and in tune with the horse. But it must be difficult!

I tried to teach a friend with mild ceribral palsy, she had no control over her left leg...and she gave up because it made her feel unbalanced and nervous.
Not having any experience with this I didn't really know how to help her.

Does anybody here..teach at an RDA centre? what sort of training / exams do you need?

[8-legged-pony]

Does anybody here..teach at an RDA centre? what sort of training / exams do you need?

I do! First of all you need to find an RDA centre with an instructor who's happy to train you. Then you apply for a log book, and can start teaching with the help of the instructor. When I started I was given a 30 minute slot to teach each Saturday, my instructor was in the school with me the whole time, but pretty much left me to it unless she saw something I was doing wrong. You then have to teach 20 hours of lessons, then an RDAI will come and watch you teach and assess you. If you pass the assessment you get your RDAGI (group instructor) certificate and badge and are insured to teach on your own, but only with your group. I.e. you couldn't then go to another group and be able to teach with them, until you were assessed with them. If you want to become an RDAI you have to take further exams.

[Silvia]

Its mostly "get on with it" for me too. My disability is part of my life and I have had it from quite a young age, so I can hardly remember what "able bodied" feels like. I find the tiredness the most annoying - because there is not much I can do about it. I'm just constantly knackered - from pefectly ordinary things like doing the shopping . If I have to walk down to bring my horse in from the field it means that I mostly can't ride on these days because I'm too tired. That probably limits me more than the fact that my right leg does not work as well or that my balance is rubbish.
Things that make riding possible are my very special pony, mounting block, painkillers, hot showers and electric blankets... :D

[Tots N Dots]

I am a fully abled person...getting on a bit..with a back problem...
with you there lol
my back problem was caused by a riding accident, so my confidence is terrible compared to what it used to be, I have had a horse, 2 for a while, for over 4 years now, I have a great physio, (wasnt so great when he found out I have a youngster rather than the plod he thought I had ;)), I constantly have a stock of Diclofenac Sodium and muscle relaxant tablets in the cupboard, and I have my physios mobile number :rolleyes:
I also have a back up of friends at the yard, I often help out with their horses, put hay out, bring in etc, on the understanding they will rally round should my back "go" :D
I have to admit to thermals in winter to keep the cold out, and padded coats and trousers, I dont do cold and wet very well :D

[summerguest]

yes I will be investing in thermals this year!!! and ear muffs ( have noticed my balance goes when my ears get cold!!!)

[Roheryn]

I am a fully abled person...getting on a bit..with a back problem...and quite often moan about finding things harder these days ..stiff joints...weaker muscles....and on days when my back really hurts it does knock my confidence.....

Me too, Summerguest.
Not only does it knock my confidence, it knocks my whole sense of self-worth. Some days I feel I can hardly ride at all; other days (like this weekend!) I find I can trot, and actually feel in tune with my horse. Like Siogfinsceal, sometime the only time I don't hurt is when I'm on the horse! Other times, like Silvia, I just feel constantly knackered, and by the time I get to the barn, groom and tack up, I'm almost too tired to ride, especially if my friends want to ride in the schools a quarter of a mile from the barn!

I don't even know if I'm really fully abled anymore--it's so hard to keep a desk job and do well at it when I'm in pain all day long and can't escape the pain.

How in the world do you all manage to afford the physio, etc.? On my good weeks I can afford OTC pain relievers, but not anyone to work on my back (massage or other therapy). Sometimes I feel I just want to give up, but that would mean no more riding, and riding is good for me.

I guess my answer to your question, Summerguest, is that I just do it. I just keep on, when I have the energy. I know the barn activities will help the pain, and help my confidence, and I'm trying to love myself enough to keep on doing it for myself. :o

[lazyfox]

I have oesteoparosis (but I don't know how to spell it!!) quite badly in my spine. I have found that although pain killers might take the edge off any pain that I have - the best thing I have found that helps are heat wraps which are available for most joints that give pain. I know that they may be a bit much for wearing in the summer (what summer!!) but they are brilliant in the colder months. You can wear them for upto 12 hours at a time and the heat remains constant. I wouldn't be without them - they have enabled me to carry on with horses both looking after and riding them. Hope that this might be of some help to you.

[Mulberry]

My TENS machine is brilliant!!
I just have to get on with everyday life,and riding,because if i let my disability get in the way,i wouldnt ride let alone get out of bed!

[LadyPilot]

.....How do you all cope with your individual disabilities?

I just can't imagine how difficult it must be for some of you

I broke my neck (C7 ) when a chestnut mare I was riding, bolted and threw me. I am paralysed from the chest down and have to use a wheelchair 24/7.
I did ride for a short time but didn't find it very satisfying at all. Not wanting to give up horses I took up driving instead and went on to compete at County level with success.
Anyway, this post is to say that I look after my 12.3hh now retired driving pony almost completely without help, from the w/chair. I have someone empty my wheelbarrow twice a week! I muck out,(field & stable) groom, rug, pick out feet, do water buckets, feed, go and buy feed, move electric fencing etc etc. and I get up at 05.00hrs GMT 365 days a year.

All I can add to this, 'Where there's a will, there's a way!'

[montys helper]

I broke my neck (C7 ) when a chestnut mare I was riding, bolted and threw me. I am paralysed from the chest down and have to use a wheelchair 24/7.
I did ride for a short time but didn't find it very satisfying at all. Not wanting to give up horses I took up driving instead and went on to compete at County level with success.
Anyway, this post is to say that I look after my 12.3hh now retired driving pony almost completely without help, from the w/chair. I have someone empty my wheelbarrow twice a week! I muck out,(field & stable) groom, rug, pick out feet, do water buckets, feed, go and buy feed, move electric fencing etc etc. and I get up at 05.00hrs GMT 365 days a year.

All I can add to this, 'Where there's a will, there's a way!'

good on you.:)

[EnduranceAli]

I broke my neck (C7 ) when a chestnut mare I was riding, bolted and threw me. I am paralysed from the chest down and have to use a wheelchair 24/7.
I did ride for a short time but didn't find it very satisfying at all. Not wanting to give up horses I took up driving instead and went on to compete at County level with success.
Anyway, this post is to say that I look after my 12.3hh now retired driving pony almost completely without help, from the w/chair. I have someone empty my wheelbarrow twice a week! I muck out,(field & stable) groom, rug, pick out feet, do water buckets, feed, go and buy feed, move electric fencing etc etc. and I get up at 05.00hrs GMT 365 days a year.

All I can add to this, 'Where there's a will, there's a way!'

Wow - this has given me inspiration. I was having a bad morning - trying to cope without painkillers, as they have been making me feel sick/dizzy/drugged, and pain particularly bad this morning. Feeling sorry for myself and worrying about how I am going to cope (3 ponies and starting to develop a livery yard). Now I will get out on the yard this morning with a smile on my face. I have got 3 small ponies, all easy to handle, my riding pony is kind enough to put up with me and I have 2 ladies coming on Monday to start helping me out on a regular basis (lots to do with an old dairy farm to convert into a livery yard!). Also looking to start driving, in order to give my fattie Exmoor enough exercise.

Do you have 'bad days'? I mostly try to keep positive and realise how lucky I am to even have my ponies at all (and I don't need to work any more, as farmer hubby supports me :)) - but there are times when a black cloud descends and I feel like curling up in a corner with a duvet over me. This sunshine and blue skies certainly helps - we plan to at least spend a large majority of the year in Spain within the next few years; I hate the wind and rain in the UK.

Ali xx

[petsywetsy]

Almost 70 here and full of aches and pains. Also have Menieres Disease - feel seasick much of the time and my balance is affected. Also, bad foot, bad knee, bad shoulders, to name but a few!!

But have a wonderful Connemara who puts up with me and a rider for the showing side of things. Wouldn't have it any other way really - keeps me going mentally!!

[LadyPilot]

Wow - this has given me inspiration.

Do you have 'bad days'? I mostly try to keep positive and realise how lucky I am to even have my ponies at all (and I don't need to work any more, as farmer hubby supports me :))
Ali xx

Very glad I've cheered you up!
Yes, I have bad days. I hate it when it rains, I can't manage a wet turnout rug. I also get covered in hairs, bedding, etc etc. Mud is a challenge for the wheelchair especially picking up droppings!
As for my general health, I do have wear and tear pain of my upper body but try to only resort to pain relief when I have to. I wear magnetic therapy items on my left elbow and right shoulder.
The thing which really spurs me on is that I feel no-one can look after my boy better than I can! Here's a killer.....he won't let anyone lead him except me.

In a very strange way, it was a horse who took away one life but a pony who has given me back the reason to get up in the morning.

Best of luck with the livery stable, that should keep your mind off any pain!!

and petswetsy.....sorry to hear about the Menieres, thats a rotten thing to have!but sounds as though you are dealing with it OK.

[palmerlover52]

Those heat pads you can get do wonders for my back and a good squeeze of muscle rub stuff.

Apparently Olbas oIl is very good rubbed onto muscular pains but I haven't tried that one yet.

[LadyPilot]

Those heat pads you can get do wonders for my back ..............


I sleep with my shoulder on a heat pad (one with no auto turn off) and that helps no end.
I do use the Cura-heat pads but mostly in the winter, as I have no control of my body temp (In medicine, loss of normal thermoregulation in humans is referred to as poikilothermia) and I get cold quickly.
I use Voltarol gel for muscle pains.

[Madaz_Maddy]

I have back problems and I do alot of things.

I agree keeping warm is a huge thing, if it gets cold I dont stand a chance.

I try and stay away from painkillers but sometimes i just have to.

Always warm down, your horse does!! When I get off I just gently stretch my back, froward and back, side to side and twist. It makes a difference.

Also if stiff in the eves i ly on the floor and do similar stretches to help my muscles relaxes.

Personally the more I do the better I am as I seize when not riding. Also Im careful what else I do and take care of myself then. I do everything everyone else does just slightly differently.

And I know its easy to say but relax, sitting on a horse when youve got back pain makes its easy to tense and carry yourself wrong. Relaxing can hurt as muscles are being used properly but it eases in time. If im tight for what ever reason I slouch for a second or two once im on before taking correct position, it stops me from going like a plank!!

[EnduranceAli]

l can't survive without those heatpads in the winter. Good idea about 'warming down'. I do a few stretches before dismounting - otherwise my legs wouldn't support me when I first hit the ground :rolleyes:

I definitely feel better when I am out on the yard keeping busy - but then I get back in the house, still have dogs and hubby to sort out, and then I am exhausted and just want to collapse. I feel sick when I am tired, so then I just get really grouchy and want to be left alone.

This weather is helping so much, but my Exxie mare is a touch lame so will probably be kept in tomorrow - more work and worry - but that is what horses are for :D

Ali xx

[therapyhorse]

Im not sure how I do it really!!
Im on a huge amount of prescription drugs including numerous painkillers from codiene, NSAIDS right up to ketaprofen and morphine as well as numerous other non-painkiller drugs - I have over 120 tablets a day and thats just prescription ones not the supllements!! I also have weekly injections and drip therapy / Iv treatments when I can afford them. I have severe cfs/m.e, lordosis,scoliosis and kyphosis of the spine, mitochondria failure and now depression too! My horse is my lifeline, he is my reason to get up every day and face the world and my reason to keep on and he is what gets me out of the darkest times. I now have a lot of help from my mum who does the field for me the days she can which helps enormously, and since starting with the RDA Ive learnt thinsgs and equiptemtn to help e.g rainbow reins, extra rolls on the saddle, bareback etc.
I couldnt do it without such an incredible bond between harry my horse and I, some days I feel utterly horrendous, and when Im in hospital on drips I have his photo by my bed and I know he will look after me and help keep me brave so we can be together again when Im a bit better. I cant put into words how much he means to me, and that is really how I do it, because he means the whole world and more to me, and so you find a way to be together somehow. I need a mounting blcok to get on, the rainbow reins, extra saddle rolls and harry has been trained to respond to me and my aids as I need rather than the general aids which I cant always give.
I guess an element of sheer bl**dymindedness comes into it too, mum would say stubborn but I prefer 'determined'!!
I also use just about everything going, heat pads, wheat bags, tens, tiger balm, deep heat, extra warm layers, wrap around exercise sheet, bandages,magnets,aromatherapy,hydrotherapy,physio,bowen,homeopathy,dietry supplements,hypnotherapy cds,fully supported rest with cushions to support, a special giant pillow type ting to lie on as lying in bed is too painful, you name it and I probably use it / have it / have tried it!!

[FudgieFoo]

I have MS and when I'm going through a relapse I'm lucky that both my ponies are brilliant and never take the micky out of my weak arm. I use a neck strap to help with balance when that is a symptom. I find the fatigue the hardest thing to battle with but am finding short cuts like deep litter beds! Had both my ponies before I was dx. My older mare is a star with me when I'm riding her and she is very soft on the aids so don't take too much. Riding makes me feel BRILL. I am at my best on my horse and can go places I could never go on foot. Just wish I could take her everywhere!

[KazRider]

I broke my neck (C7 ) when a chestnut mare I was riding, bolted and threw me. I am paralysed from the chest down and have to use a wheelchair 24/7.
I did ride for a short time but didn't find it very satisfying at all. Not wanting to give up horses I took up driving instead and went on to compete at County level with success.
Anyway, this post is to say that I look after my 12.3hh now retired driving pony almost completely without help, from the w/chair. I have someone empty my wheelbarrow twice a week! I muck out,(field & stable) groom, rug, pick out feet, do water buckets, feed, go and buy feed, move electric fencing etc etc. and I get up at 05.00hrs GMT 365 days a year.

All I can add to this, 'Where there's a will, there's a way!'

Wow, your story certainly makes you stop and think. Good on you for getting on with your life and doing what you want to do, and what some would probably say you wouldn't/shouldn't be able to do.
I broke my back last year, crushed T5 vertebrae, knew at the time i was really lucky that there was no nerve damage but have to admit reading your post really hit home. You are an inspiration to us all.

Back to the OP, I have a naturally fused ankle, not too much of a problem generally when riding, but this however causes tilting and rotation of my pelvis which needs readjusting regularly by an ospeopath. When it is bad i can only do rising trot on one diagonal!! Often a problem during lessons, 'check your diagonal' seems to be the most used sentance from RI on these occasions. Although i've explained the problem to RI i'm not sure she can fully understand why i'm always on the same diagonal no matter which rein i'm on!! Something to be aware of if you want to teach, it may not be the obvious disability causing a dificulty riding.
So for me i don't have a pain problem generally. I do have trouble using the left leg sometimes - it has a mind of it's own on random occasions. But i think the referred issues i get in the pelvis make riding more difficult.

I wouldn't be without my riding though, it is actually the only exercise that doesn't cause me pain constantly. Plus just the whole experience of being around horses is so rewarding, they rely on us and make us have to get out of bed in the mornings and for this they give so much back, especially when you find a special one, as it sounds like many of the members on here have done. That is ultimately how we manage to do it i think. That sense of unconditional love and acceptance, no matter what, that animals have for humans.

:):)