Comment

Comment by Jackie Cochran on March 26, 2010 at 9:43am

I wrenched my knee a little, and I am having to be even more careful when I walk.
One advantage of having MS, I already have the canes to use when I hurt in one of my legs. This means that I minimize the damage.

Comment by Borrowed Freedom Equine Therapy on January 18, 2010 at 9:59am

They are Jackie, they sure are. The other day I was down and just not well, I don't have to tell anyone here how rough this cold winter has been lol! I bundled up and went out and just watched them out in the pasture and within seconds Paco spotted me and came right over. He knew just what I needed! He dropped his head and let me wrap myself around him. So good for the soul!! That little moment made the day so much better. :)

Comment by Jackie Cochran on January 18, 2010 at 9:33am

Aren't horses WONDERFUL for people with MS? Riding helps me so much physically and mentally.

Comment by Borrowed Freedom Equine Therapy on January 18, 2010 at 9:31am

So glad to find this group! My name is Colleen and I have MS and some secondary issues, I am also Mom to an incredible teenager with Asperger's Syndrome.

We have a small but growing equine therapy program in upstate NY, Borrowed Freedom Equine Therapies and Activites.

Nice to "meet" you all,
Colleen

Comment by Laylah Robinson on January 13, 2010 at 4:04pm

Hi Jackie - I have the same problem when it's cold, but right now the weather has been so severe for Britain and the lane to the stables is completely impassable that I haven't been riding for about 4 weeks!! Feels like forever but fingers crossed the thaw will set in soon........

Comment by Jackie Cochran on January 13, 2010 at 3:25pm

Boy, I'm TIRED. I had my lesson today, and I trotted a lot (for me), and got up to 1 1/2 times around the ring, then I would sort of collapse. My muscles just don't seem to work as well when it is cold and windy. Of course the horse I ride has some of the same problems, stiffening up in the cold wind. SOMEDAY it will get warm again!

Comment by Coopersmom_1958 on December 13, 2009 at 2:16pm

Thanks Jackie, I was really feeling down the other day. I have to consider myself very lucky, I can walk so far without aids, and do not depend on anyone else to do things for me.
My horse does get fantastic care where he is, I do not have to worry about him. It is going to take me longer, my guy has to be very bombproof, like the horses that are in the programs for the riding disabled. That will take several years to achieve but he is a very mild calm and smart guy. I realize it was a big mistake to get a baby with me being green too, but he needed a home and I couldn't leave him where he was! So lots of work ahead, long long road, I may be 60 by that time LOL

Comment by Jackie Cochran on December 12, 2009 at 10:34am

Wow, here I was thinking I had it tough.
For many years I only saw my horse on the weekends. It all worked out fine. Often horses seem to learn "deeper" if they have several days to "think" about their work with you. So long as the horse has equine company, all the necessary supplemental feeding (hay in winter), some shelter (even just trees/thick bushes) and some decent handling I would not feel too guilty. With your problems it is going to take you longer to achieve your goals than "normal" people. Give yourself the time. I really don't think your horse will mind.

Comment by Coopersmom_1958 on December 12, 2009 at 12:06am

I haven't been to see my horse much since the summer. All kinds of health issues are happening.
I finally got a new prosthesis (symes amputation) and they just can't seem to get it adjusted and fitting properly. My back, hips and both legs have been hurting and it has been stopping me from doing a lot that requires walking.
I don't know anything about what I was born with, mylomeningocele I think it is called, a milder form of spina bifida. My spine is curved, I lurch when I walk, have a club foot, no sensation in back of legs and buttock area. As I get older my other parts of my body seem to be getting worse. I am tired all the time, been having a lot of headaches and stomach troubles. I seem to be having a hard time while sitting lately, trying to hold myself up as I keep leaning over to one side all the time. I sometimes have to prop a rolled up sweater or part of my coat under one cheek to feel like I am sitting straight.
Riding was really helping to make me stronger. I was taking 2 riding lessons a week at another barn but had to cut back to 1 because of financial reasons.
I am not riding my horse yet, he is young and not broke, so that will be many more years before I am conifident enough to get on him and he is safe enough for me to ride. He was a spur of the moment decision 2 years ago and I would not part with him for anything now. I moved him back to first barn I had him at when I first got him at the end of September. It is almost an hour away and longer on the snowy days with no indoor arena for working in the winter. By the time I get off of work at 5, then head up to the barn, I get to spend maybe an hour with him then have to head back home again, that makes me depressed :( I will have to stop going on work days as when I finally get home I am just too wiped out to prepare things for work the next day.
I sure hope that by the time I can ride my horse that I am strong enough. I know that being able to ride more often will help me, physically and emotionally.

Comment by Jackie Cochran on November 24, 2009 at 10:25am

I got TOO AMBITIOUS and am now sort of collapsed. I tried to do too much too soon. I don't know if I will ride this week, I need to save up my energy to see my son for Thanksgiving (he is cooking, yeah!) It takes soooo much out of me trying to keep my seat forward, but the reward, feeling truly united with my horse's motions, makes it addictive. Maybe this year I can get my muscles fit enough so I can do it for more than a minute at a time.
When my seat is forward I can FEEL the push of the hind legs directly to my thighs. Ah, someday I will be able to dance WITH my horse instead of just following behind.
I also find that when the weather changes I get tired quicker. Yes, I need to live where it is constantly 70 F in the daytime. Don't we all!

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