Adaptions
- Thread starter Lou-c
- Start date
I'm not sure you could do it totally one handed, but if you could use the other hand for support it may be possible. Things like a grab strap on the front of the saddle may make lifting it possible and a synthetic saddle would be much lighter if you can find one to fit. A bridle would be tricky, I'm not sure how you'd hold it in place while you put ears through - maybe one with no browband would be possible if the horse was co-operative, if it doesn't open it's mouth to take the bit then I think you're stuck.
Sorry, not a lot of help but I didn't want to leave you with no replies.
Sorry, not a lot of help but I didn't want to leave you with no replies.
Hi and welcome.
Do you have any Riding for Disabled stables near you. It might be worth contacting them and going along to see if they have facilities in place for the disabled riders. I know most staff are able bodied voluteers who tack up but someone maybe able to advise on equipment to help riders.
Im wondering if theres any kind of para/disabled (not sure what the wording is) riding websites or facebook groups you could look at.
Do you have any Riding for Disabled stables near you. It might be worth contacting them and going along to see if they have facilities in place for the disabled riders. I know most staff are able bodied voluteers who tack up but someone maybe able to advise on equipment to help riders.
Im wondering if theres any kind of para/disabled (not sure what the wording is) riding websites or facebook groups you could look at.
no that’s a lot of help I can use my left for support just not for much to be honest thank you very much
hi I’m in a disabled riding school but they don’t let you tack up as they are not insured apparently il check face book out for equipment so far the only thing I’ve found is reins thank you for your help
Welcome to NR 
some good ideas already, I'd maybe also email some para riders, see if they can help you. If you don't have any luck I have a friend who lost both his legs in an accident, he's an ex-servicemen and works with BLESMA a lot and helps many ex-servicemen who have been injured in combat learn to ride, I could ask him if he knows anyone or has any tips. He did introduce me to the lady from the Lloyd's bank advert last year and I know she does everything herself.
some good ideas already, I'd maybe also email some para riders, see if they can help you. If you don't have any luck I have a friend who lost both his legs in an accident, he's an ex-servicemen and works with BLESMA a lot and helps many ex-servicemen who have been injured in combat learn to ride, I could ask him if he knows anyone or has any tips. He did introduce me to the lady from the Lloyd's bank advert last year and I know she does everything herself.
This is a specialist question for RDA. You need people who know work rounds and what you need.
It also depends how steady you are on your feet. If you cant reach to put a saddle on a tall horse, whether or not it is safe to stand on a mounting block to lift the saddle on. I am old and decided it was not sensible for me.
It also depends how steady you are on your feet. If you cant reach to put a saddle on a tall horse, whether or not it is safe to stand on a mounting block to lift the saddle on. I am old and decided it was not sensible for me.
Hi! I have a disability too and I think it is possible to find ways around many difficulties. I am very clumsy with my right hand and for me to be able to tack up my share horse we had to find a bridle with bigger buckles and I make sure it is well oiled, so the buckles will be easy to open and close. I also taught the horse to keep his head down to make it easier for me to put the bit in. For me it is usually a mix of some adaptive equipment plus training the horse. For example it makes it a lot less difficult if you know the horse will stand perfectly still while you swing on the saddle. So many horses tend to fidget or take a step away while being saddled and their able bodied owners don't seem to mind. That makes it difficult for me to saddle a horse I don't know. If it is a horse I ride regularly, I will take the time to work on these things so I can be independent. So while I do think it is possible to tack up a horse using only one hand, I think it will require lots of practise for you and the horse and you will have to be prepared to try different Things until you figure out the best way to do it. But for a start there are probably some parts of the process you could do right away on almost any horse. You could even ask to practise some steps without a horse first, like try to swing a saddle up on a fence instead of a real horse or open and close the buckles on a bridle.
I have a physical disability . What really helped me is that my horse is trained to lower her head to do the bridle and will stand when saddling . I think the key to doing it is to have a quiet horse . Could the yard teach your parents to tack up so they could help you if you needed it.
I fully understand the insurance issues these days.
Does the school offer any horse management lessons/ classes/ things you can do for fun like own a pony days.
I have health issues that can mean I choose equipment to make my life easier and as a result that of the horse. I focus on what I can do, not what I struggle with.
It was time to change stirrups because my old ones were hindering, not helping.
You can buy one eared bridles. You can teach a horse to take its bit. Mine looks round for the bit and takes it, I took the noseband off as she would take that as well.
She also puts her head on the floor, but that's so children can fuss her.
She stands like a rock to tack up, unless in season when she might fidget. She stands and waits by the mounting block but is off as soon as you are swinging and expects you to sit and go.
Does the school offer any horse management lessons/ classes/ things you can do for fun like own a pony days.
I have health issues that can mean I choose equipment to make my life easier and as a result that of the horse. I focus on what I can do, not what I struggle with.
It was time to change stirrups because my old ones were hindering, not helping.
You can buy one eared bridles. You can teach a horse to take its bit. Mine looks round for the bit and takes it, I took the noseband off as she would take that as well.
She also puts her head on the floor, but that's so children can fuss her.
She stands like a rock to tack up, unless in season when she might fidget. She stands and waits by the mounting block but is off as soon as you are swinging and expects you to sit and go.
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