On Several Fronts
My vet called yesterday to tell me he had not heard from my farrier regarding Chance. I called my farrier who said he hadn't received any calls or emails from my vet.
Something is strange here. So last night, I sent an email to my vet, farrier, and me with all the phone numbers and email addresses so there should be no more confusion.
No rush on my account as, despite the fact that the doctor cleared me for riding, I can't quite figure out how to do it, so if Chance is still not sound, it's OK for now.
Except that he is uncomfortable. He does seem pretty happy and I did see him frolicking about out there a few times, so he can't be too miserable. But any limp is a limp and I don't want to work an unsound horse unless I'm sure it's not aggravating something.
Speaking of lame, that's me. And working while I'm lame is actually an important part of my recovery. According to my doctor, and much of what I've read about this particular bone break--hip neck fracture--can take months, not just weeks. From what I've read on some of the forums out there, many people with a similar injury are not as far along in getting better as I am.
So that's the good news. The bad news is that while I am certain I could ride if I wanted to, what I can't quite master is how to get on and off the horse. Once again, no matter which side I mount from, there will be extra strain and demands on my left leg. Either I have to stand on it and turn with my weight on it, or I have to swing it over the horse if I get on from the off side.
Until I am more limber, stronger in that muscle, and pretty pain free, riding will have to wait.
But I can swim. And if the temperatures finally decide to settle into the warmer levels, I'll be doing a lot of that. As noted, I've been in the indoor pool a few times when I've substituted at the Academy, and so far twice in the very cool--make that cold--outdoor pool on the weekends.
Still, the day after the swim, I am a bit more sore than usual. I'm hoping it's a positive reaction to exercise with my muscles breaking down a bit with the exercise only to build up stronger.
Meantime, on the horse front and the "body front," it's a waiting game.
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Time . . . and more time . . .
ReplyDeleteCan you set up a "mounting exercise", say in your living room - so you can practice the movements needed for mounting/dismounting!
Waiting is always the worst part. I hope they all get it together soon and figure out how to help Chance.
ReplyDeleteSwimming is probably the best exercise to get everything back in shape. There's not much stress on the joints in the water. Wonder if there is a way to practice swinging your legs in an arc of some sort to get the mounting and dismounting sorted out. Kate had a good idea to try and set something up you can practice with. Got any sawhorses hanging around the garage? Good luck.
what worked for me after my fall in 2010, which did severe damage to the soft tissues in the right hip, was climbing gates. not something i'd planned, but was always first at the yard in the morning before it was unlocked, and so had to climb it. at first, it was a real struggle, but over the time that improved... and that improvement has continued the more i do exercises of some sort to stretch the hip. what i did at the time - i was swimming a fair bit - also, was stand in the pool and use the side of the pool as a "barre" (as per ballet) and put my leg up on that, and stretch it some more.
ReplyDeletenow i'm at the point where i know when i haven't been doing enough (even riding!) as it does tighten when not worked.
and moutning - from the correct sise block just can lift the leg over. dismounting lean right forward and push weight off horses back with hands to get right leg up enough to then get it over and so down. from bareback (with pad) that doesn't work and i have to go back to mounting block, line him up and step off.....
ReplyDeleteI would guess that your reaction to swimming is a positive one. Those muscles will need a lot of sensible work to regain their strength. Give them time to rest in-between.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, back at the ranch, how about having someone build a simple, very high mounting block. So all you have to do is swing your leg over while already at the height you will be riding at. I have mounted from a table before and it's really, really nice.
I already have a high mounting table. Getting on the horse still requires a turning motion on the bad hip or a swing over on the bad hip. Same with the dismount. It's not the pulling up into the saddle, it's the turn required.
DeleteMy table is high enough that Chance is actually a little lower so the height is fine. It's almost a level mount to get on 17 h Tucker too.
I will be ready soon to try the mounting and dismounting. My chiropractor was worried if I should have to get off the horse quickly without the table being right there. He had a good point. I'm not yet ready for a regular or quick dismount.
I see, it's the twisting motion that is the problem. I like Kate's idea too, of practicing first off the horse so you will know when you can really do it.
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