Horses
 

Is there anyone put there who had a TBI that is now horse riding again. I did professional show jumping on horses before my accident and don't think I will do any more. Has anyone else?

Hi Nutkin,
I had my fall from a horse in Feb 2012 and over a year and a half later am not yet back riding. I was wearing my helmet... probably wouldn't be here without it... or would at least be a way bigger burden on my family if I hadn't been wearing it. I fell directly on my head and cracked my helmet in about 8 places.

I'm 42 and have ridden all my life, used to show hunters and jumpers in the ammie ring, not pro, but a serious rider, but had scaled back a bit over the years as life had gotten in the way of showing, but was still riding regularly.

The September before my fall, we took a trip to Alberta and rode through the mountains there... had a fabulous trip... my husband and I were the only ones that wore our helmets.

I had giving up putting first rides on horses and dealing with horses that had serious issues and instead was focusing on horses that were green broke that just needed miles to become solid citizens. It was one of those horses that I took my fall from, unfortunately. It really was a combination of freak events that lead to it.

In the year and a half since my fall, my recovery has been slow, I've still not had a single day or moment without head pain since, in spite of many different drugs and treatments tried... I still have a variety of balance and gait issues that are being addressed through physiotherapy and I'm still dealing with intense fatigue that my occupational therapist is trying to assist with through various pacing strategies and more recently, through medications from my rehab doc.

My rehab team is dead set against me riding again at this point and some of them are dead set against me riding ever again. They feel that as long as I'm unsteady walking, the risk is way too high in the saddle.

So far, I've obeyed them and in fact, I've not even *touched* a horse or been close to a horse since my fall, but that's mostly because my husband does not trust my impulsiveness and thinks if I get near one, I will be on it before he can stop me. He may not be wrong.

I'm sorry to hear about your fall. What happened? Share if you want. I'm happy to listen.

As long as you are experiencing any symptoms, its probably best to stay grounded and off the horses. Also probably best to limit your risk of falling once your symptoms have cleared and if you do go back to riding... the effects are cumulative, which is probably why this fall I had, this time, I'm not recovering from. Even though it was a bad fall, it certainly wasn't my first.

Best of luck to you.
Starr

Yes, my accident was august 2012, I started riding again slowly in march. I would say I am still not back to the level that I was, but I plan to start showing again in the spring. I am definitely sticking with quieter more broke horses. I do reining and dressage and used to make my living training. I have shifted to doing more boarding and lessons, and am no longer taking in horses for training.

Horses
 

Well,not that is can remember it, but my fall was during a cross country lesson. I had a young horse and was super keen on getting back to eventing as he seemed so great in the country. I had had 2 lumber fusions in 06 and 07, so had note vented for some time, but had stuck to showjumping.

Apparently the horse dropped his feet over a jump and we turned turtle together. I got a hoof in my face, which caused an orbit fracture, an although I had a skull cap on, the kick caused a richo Chet effect in my head, and I had numerous haemorrages all over. I was in a coma for 5 days, and in hospital for 3 weeks, because expenses were high and in South Africa unless you can pay, there is no treatment. I dont remember anything of my first two months, but apparently I did start to get myself around after being paralyzed on my right hand side.

I have been on a horse much to the surgeons disgust, but I can't say I really enjoyed it. I seem to have lost the passion I once had. I felt no fear, but because I ran a stable yard I felt I had to try and ride. Now I have sold my livery yard and horses, and moved over to the UK. My sister has a horse here, and my involvement is teaching her as I am a BHS Intermediate Instructor.

When I can work again I may take up horse instruction, I'm not sure. I can't speak too well at the moment, but have not forgotten anything about riding or horses. We'll see.

I can't believe this has happened.

Hello Riders
 

I want you to know, that even with medical conditions, you can swim with a horse and not fear getting another fall or injury. I did this a couple of times, as I didn't want to give up riding altogether. I have cervical issues. It just got me re-connected to an animal that I love. ginnie:grouphug:

Not Riding Anymore
 

I had a freak accident while riding my horse in March 2010. I am doing great and probably could ride and be fairly safe. However, I know that if I get tired at all my symptoms worsen quickly. My balance can get weak without my noticing it until I stumble. Balance is extremely important for riding. Even for feeding and grooming balance is important. I am thinking of climbing up to the top of the hay stacks for one. The chances of a second concussion are too high, and the potential consequences too severe. I weigh the enjoyment of horses vs seeing my future grandchildren. No contest.

chocolatebell, I am glad to hear you are riding again and have made adjustments to make it safer for yourself and are riding quieter horses and doing less training etc.

Nutkin, what a serious accident you had! Goodness! How long ago was your accident? I'm sorry that you seem to have lost your passion. Do you feel you might be depressed following your injury? Its not uncommon and loss of passion would be a symptom of depression.

Ginnie, perhaps swimming with horses is more common in Florida? I've not heard of it here at all... interesting idea though. Much of the year it would be far too cold for that, to do it outside anyhow :) And I can't imagine the demand would justify the cost of indoor facilities.

Winks, I agree with you that balance is extremely important for riding and absolutely its a very personal choice whether to ride again or not and if so, with what trade offs for risk tolerance. I respect your decision to choose not to ride again, for you, the risks are too great, that makes sense.

Best wishes to you all! :grouphug:
Starr

Hi Starr
 

You are right, up north may be different. However I did this in Missouri in ponds on farms when I was healthy.
Down here they have riding clubs for the disabled. One in particular caters to those with spinal issues. We have a causeway that goes over to the Island, where the horses can be. During high season, there may be as many as 30 horses swimming in the gulf's causeway.
My first time back on, I slid off like greased lightening. I had forgotten how hard you have to press your knees bareback with a swimming horse. Came up sputtering and laughing, not the least bit in pain or worried. I have a piggy bank that I save money for, just for this purpose. Our season only lasts really for the summer too. Gulf temps are down now.
I plan to go again next summer. I am 62, and love this animal, and have all my life. ginnie:grouphug:

That sounds like fun Ginnie!

We have lots of water around here, but most of it is not very deep and where it is deep, horses are generally not allowed to go. Sometimes people do take their horses to the beaches but only during off season and then it is too cold to go very far in the water.

Regular swimmers do not like to share the water with horses. If you are lucky, you might have a pond deep enough to swim in, but that would not be typical around here and if you did, it would probably be not very nice to swim in.

We have regular therapeutic riding facilities here, on dry land ;) I've considered going there. My rehab doc is still against it and I would need him and my physio to sign off on the forms.

Slightly ironic... I used to teach therapeutic riding... including riders with TBI's. Now I have a TBI and want to ride again.

Starr

Hi Starr
 

This causeway, was a concern for the swimmers, and the homeowners around here. So.....water samples were taken and actually was cleaner that the water on the Gulf itself. Evidently any horse droppings are not hurting the causeway during the season. Horses are allowed in quite a big area, and actually the swimmers have other areas they can go in. There is an unspoken agreement that everyone agrees with. Nice to get along for a change. The horse owners do pick up after their horses on land.
This all did go before council. Therapeutic riding is good for the soul. I also did have to get clearance from my neurosurgeon. Maybe, just maybe the therapeutic riding places, would act on this idea, and find some homeowner with a big big pond near by. If you google up ponds, lakes in your area, there may be more water around than what is visible or known about to the public. I really do wish you could try it around your area. More fun than I had in 10 years:Dginnie