scleroderma and riding

Hi everyone, I am new to the site and really enjoyed the information in the osteo discussion. Does anyone here have (or know about) scleroderma? I have sclero and it isn't easy to deal with when trying to work with our horse. I also damaged my rotator cuffs cleaning stalls, have carpal tunnel in both wrists and elbows and have Raynaud's.(which is connected to the sclero) Despite all this, I go to the barn everyday to work/spend time with our horse. We have a young mare that is green but is doing well with the trainer and us. Right now my main issue is not being able to hold onto the reins well. I think rope reins would help because they're thicker. Any one have any ideas that might help?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jackie Cochran on June 10, 2009 at 1:19pm

I am very sorry that you have scleroderma, I just looked up the symptoms. It made me feel grateful that I just have multiple sclerosis.
People with arthritis in their hands who fox-hunted often used plaited reins. They are more expensive than the laced reins (English) but they may help if the rope reins do not. If you get rope reins make sure that they are soft cotton so your skin is protected.
I also noted that regular doctors do not have many solutions for scleroderma. Have you tried a homeopathic physician? One of the homeopathic remedies that really helped my MS (Piper methysticum) is also indicated for people with ichthyosis, a skin condition that makes the skin looked scaled. In my homeopathic repertory, and they had 22 remedies that had worked on scleroderma. You really need the help of a trained homeopathic physician though to pick the best remedy for your condition. Just because the regular doctors can't help you does not mean that other medical schools are also helpless and hopeless too. I would also consider traditional Chinese medicine if you cannot find a homeopathic MD.
I regularly accidentally drop my reins when riding. I just make sure to school the horse I'm riding to go with loose reins as well as on contact. That way they do not get upset when it happens.
I hope this helps. Take care, and good luck.

Permalink Reply by Mary on June 10, 2009 at 1:48pm

Thanks for the ideas. I haven't tried any other docs. I'll look into the homeopathic remedies. Our trainer is working with our horse and we are training/riding with loose reins/very little contact. Thanks for suggesting cotton rope reins, if we can't find those, we'll look into some of the others that you have suggested. (by the way, we are riding western)

Permalink Reply by Eileen on June 10, 2009 at 1:45pm

I agree about the homeopathic route. I have the name of a good homeopathic practicioner if you want it. It is well worth a try. I have seen her work first hand, and have seen excellent results. She is from the Toronto area but makes regular visits in other parts of Ontario. Just let me know if you want to get a hold of her. She is in Dresden this week.

Permalink Reply by Mary on June 10, 2009 at 1:50pm

Dresden isn't very far from us. I'd love to learn more about what else I could try. Please send me the name if you don't mind.

Permalink Reply by Eileen on June 10, 2009 at 4:35pm

O.K. Mary, first I will give you the number in Dresden where she can be seen, and make appointments when she is in town. call 519-359-6559 or 519-359-0458, Call as soon as you can if you want an appointment when she is still in town. Otherwise you will have to wait for another month. She does have a Toronto area number as well 905-877-1192.
I brought my one horse to her last year. This horse had been getting steadily worse for about 2 summers. I had the vet out many times, and he was puzzled about what the exact problem was. As a last resort I took the horse to Fern (Fern Wolfe is her name) and she worked on him for a couple of hourse, hooking him up to a computer if you can imagine. The horse had no fight in him at all, he did not care what was going on around him. The very next day I could see major difference in his travel, demeanor, etc. The next day was even better. With in a month I was riding him and he was a different horse showing his old personality which over the years I had forgotten many of the little things that your horses do.
This horse was so miserable for so long he did not care about anything. He was itchy, swollen, heat in one front leg to to the foot and swelling inthe knee. He was a mess, and I was thinking that I should put him down since I could not make him better. That was last July. Since then he has been back to himself, running, walking, and glad that he is alive.
O.K. I will get off of my soap box now. lol I just wanted to let you know sort of what happened in my case. Good luck

Permalink Reply by Fiona Hill on June 10, 2009 at 6:05pm

Hi Mary
If you haven't already seen one, I'm sure than an occupational therapist would be able to help you, if you can find someone in your local area. If you could find someone who is into horses as well, then that would be even better... Since occupational therapists enable people to carry out the activities (or occupations) they want to, need to or have to do in daily life then if looking after and riding your horse is an occupation that is meaningful to you, then I'm sure they could work with you on finding ways of managing. It may be possible to adapt the reins, or the equipment you use in the barn, to explore different techniques for doing things, etc.

I am not familiar with how you would access an OT in Canada, so I can't give advice about how to find one, but it might be worth asking your doctor to refer you. Forgive my being presumptive, but it's my guess is that if you have damage to the shoulders, elbows and wrists and are struggling with holding the reins, you may be struggling with other activities, too.

Good luck.

Fiona

Permalink Reply by Jenny Hiscox on June 10, 2009 at 6:45pm

I made a visit to a therapeutic riding facility recently (want to volunteer, but am still looking for one close enough for feasible winter driving), where I was shown special reins for people with hand function problems. The part you hold is double, with crossbars, sort of like litle ladders. Don't know if you need to go to that extent, but good to know it is available for anyone who does.

Permalink Reply by Jan Jollymour on June 10, 2009 at 11:13pm

Hi, Mary:

In addition to the braided (plaited) reins Fiona has suggested you might look into ladder or loop reins. Both are used by Para riders. Should you choose to be classified as a Para rider you would be able to use the reins in open dressage competition (with your dispensation certificate) as well as in Para competition. Should you not wish to compete you would no doubt find either helpful with holding onto the reins.

I am recovering from a severe wrist fracture, and found that I could bridge the reins through both hands (the good hand held the reins through the bridge and the fractured arm backed up the good one). I could still lengthen and shorten the reins, but felt more centered and strong that way.

Permalink Reply by Mary on June 11, 2009 at 7:32am

Hi everyone, thanks for all the great advice. I will definitely try it all. Anyone have any ideas of specific things that our horse should be taught that could be helpful in the long run. (Our horse has an awesome whoa. Whether you say it or just sit back on your pockets slightly she immediately stops. This is great for when my hands/arms can't function or hold the reins.)

Permalink Reply by Eileen on June 11, 2009 at 7:42am

yes the "Whoa" is a great command to have down to a fine science. My horses are also very good with stopping when I say the word.
Did you get a hold of the homepathic in Dresden?

Permalink Reply by Gail Morse on June 11, 2009 at 1:50pm