Comment

Comment by Jackie Cochran on November 9, 2009 at 5:59pm

With my regular riding teacher--I am so fortunate--she lets me go at my own speed. After four years of riding with her I am now working REALLY hard on my two-point, hoping someday to be secure enough to ride outside the ring and maybe jump micro-jumps (up to 2 feet). It has taken me a LONG time to get this "strong" (I am still sooo weak), but since I can ride 2X a week there I have progressed far beyond the handicapped program which had something like 24 sessions a year!
I ride Forward Seat (see my blogs) as it is the most secure for me. My lower leg is finally stabilizing, my security is increasing, my legs are getting a LOT stronger, and I get exhausted after 30 min.! This strengthening should add years to my being able to walk. I made myself get out of my electric wheelchair to ride 6 years ago (I wore it out too), and I no longer need a wheelchair, I just use 2 canes to walk now.
Riding is wonderful for my MS.

Comment by Karen T on November 7, 2009 at 3:07pm

Thanks Jackie for your comments. The program has 14 horses, some owned and some leant for the sessions. They are quite but most are on semi retirement.
The comment you made about a 'pony ride' does happen with our program but mostly for the severly disabled rider that does not have much physical mobility and the unexperienced riders. We do have a few quite able bodied riders that do ride independently and I think we could we probably do need to re-assess the current program to ensure we are doing what is best for the individuals circumstances.
Thanks for your comments and I welcome any further ideas this group might have.

Comment by Jackie Cochran on October 31, 2009 at 8:40pm

I do not know if I can give any suggestions, Karen. I did therapeutic riding for a few months to get my confidence back and then found a regular stable that would help me. I had ridden for decades, so I already knew how to ride.
So, my recommendations--REAL quiet horses that like people; good, comfortable and safe tack, TEACHERS THAT DO NOT GET TOO AMBITIOUS FOR THEIR RIDERS (pressing to show), and properly trained leaders.
In therapeutic I felt like I was on a pony ride (on a 17 hander.) I was not given much opportunity to improve the horse. The fact that I already knew how to ride and how to be a horseman did not count for much. Finally I realized that the therapeutic program was not to teach a person how to ride a horse, but using the horse sort of as an exercise machine to improve the mobility of the rider. This is fine, especially for people who have never riden, but I am going to try and avoid therapeutic programs for a while. I LOVE riding independently (no leader). I love "improving" the horse. I do everything I can to make the lesson pleasant for the horse.
I am working hard now to strengthen my legs so I can keep them steady as I ride. Lots and lots of two point at a walk and trot. I want to get strong enough so I feel safe enough to trail ride or ride in a field. It will take a while, but I am MUCH stronger that when I got back into riding around five years ago.

Comment by Karen T on October 31, 2009 at 7:37pm

Hi everyone - new to your group - I have been involved with Therapeutic Riding for the past 3 years as a volunteer and have been given the opportunity to teach now. Beginning my CANTRA training (Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association) soon and would love any suggestions that I could implement for the challenged rider....... Thanks!

Comment by Gail Morse on October 16, 2009 at 12:27pm

I know that feeling but my body works better in the warmer weather. I find the cold brings out every bit of the aches and pains of arthritis that I have. Gail.

Comment by Jackie Cochran on October 16, 2009 at 12:15pm

It is cooler now so I can ride with a bit again as my hands are steadier. I am working on the position of my lower legs--heels down, toes out about thirty degrees, and the sole of my foot turned outward. I can only do this a few minutes-about six walking strides, but for a few wonderful seconds I get it all right and I feel like I'm back in my 20's, LOL! Very tiring, then I collapse back on my seat and relax my muscles.

Comment by Coopersmom_1958 on August 3, 2009 at 4:07pm

As Jackie says, the days have been cooler than normal, but I also am having trouble with the humidity here. I have not been going to see my boy very often so far this summer, I went more often in the winter. Riding lessons are always cancelled because of rain or holidays and that makes it worse on the old body when you can't be on the horses back. My prosthesis (leg) has been bothering me, getting blisters. I am waiting for a new one, then the long process of fittings begins and more blisters!!
I have a Nurtural Bridle too which I have not used yet, only tried it on my boy. We went right to the barn in Worthington, Ontario and bought it. Zoe has a beautiful herd of Canadians and part Canadians.

Comment by Gail Morse on July 23, 2009 at 12:35pm

I guess I mentioned I bought a Nurtural Bridle but as usual I can't find it in my STUFF! I still have to work to ride although I would rather ride. Gail Morse.

Comment by Jackie Cochran on July 23, 2009 at 12:32pm

The days are cooler than normal here, but I am having trouble dealing with the 70% to 80% humidity. Luckily the ladies who help me ride seem to think that 8:00 AM is not too early. There is no way that I can ride over 30 min.. I've switched to the Dr. Cook's bitless, I am weaker and my hands are less stable so I need something with some authority that will stay in place on the horse's head. If I get much worse I'll switch to the Nurtural, but right now I still seem to be good enough for the Dr. Cook.
Keep on riding. We are not getting any younger, you know.

Comment by Gail Morse on July 23, 2009 at 12:18pm

Too wet here to ride and my job keeps getting in the way! Gail Morse

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