Changes May Be Coming - Multiple Sclerosis

I may go back to riding English. Yes, after all I have written about how much I enjoy riding Western I may go back to where I started. Yesterday, I decided to wear a pair of my elastic britches, which are used only in English riding attire. I found that the tightness of the material against my skin brought relief from the numbness and tightness of my hip joints caused by my Multiple Sclerosis. I wore them again today along with my tall boots when I took hippotherapy. I was amazed how well I walked around the farm and how comfortable I felt on horseback and when I got home, where I continued to wear the boots and britches.

This was all brought on by a TV commercial I saw for Tommie Copper copper fiber clothing. In the ad the leading bareback bronc rider tells his story of how many broken bones he has had and the pain he felt in his joints from his injuries until he started wear Tommie Copper  compression garments. Now he is back on the top of his game. I bought a complete set of their compression wear yesterday and it should be here in about a week. I am anxious to try it out. But the main thing it has shown me is how much better I feel and how much better my mobility is when I wear the clothes I wore today.

Last Wednesday riding lesson was canceled because of the extreme cold that once again plagued Maryland. I am hoping to have a lesson this Wednesday and I think by his attitude today Bouffe is looking forward to getting back to work. He seemed full of himself today as I feed him his carrots. I hope we can start back on Wednesday it has been a long winter.

Another Sunny Day/Hippotherapy - Multiple Sclerosis - OTTB

It was another sunny morning and I took advantage of it and went to the farm early before my hippotherapy appointment at ten. Bouffe was unusually affectionate and lay his head on my shoulder as I stood at the stall door and talked to him about our plans for the show season. He has a serious look on his face like he was pondering what I had said about possible shows. I did get a lead from Robin about shows at Freedom Hills in Prince George's County, which would be an expensive trip so I have to make sure we are ready. I have a lesson scheduled with Eileen for Wednesday if it doesn't snow, there is a storm in the forecast. When is Spring coming?

I had another good hippotherapy session with Robin, Eileen and Roscoe, who behaved beautifully in the outdoor arena. Robin complimented me on sitting so straight. It was the best I had done in quite awhile and I think the new rollator has something to do with it. 

A Break In The Weather and A Change of Plans - OTTB

There has finally been a couple of warmer days and I was able to get Bouffe out of the stall and groom him. Because of the warmer temperature (in the 40's) my walking was better but my legs still felt too weak to think about riding. 

While I was grooming Bouffe I asked Leslie when the first show was and was very disappointed when she said because of the poor turnout last year there wasn't going to be any this season but the one in October. This really put a big change in my plans for Bouffe and me. I was looking forward to being able to show him in the novice class and now I may be back to where I started with trying to look for a show that has para-equestrian classes, which also means I might have to go back to riding English. This has really blown everything out of the water and I haven't even started to look at my options.

Anyway, Bouffe was fine and enjoyed his carrots. I have hippotherapy on Monday and I might be able to ride Bouffe during that session or maybe some other time next week. 

The Weather Continues To Be Lousy - OTTB - Multiple Sclerosis

As Spring approaches it seems like Winter just doesn't want to leave. Since my last post ten days ago, it has been either very cold with a wind chill in the single digits, or it has snowed. I am so tired of tromping around in the cold and wet that some days I don't even want to come out of the house.  I'm sure Bouffe is fine and as each week starts I hope to get back to my three days a week schedule. Maybe next week it will happen. 

Rest In Peace Snickers

It was a sad day on the farm this morning. Robin's veteran hippotherapy horse Snickers was found dead in the field. He was 31 and had always been the champion for older horses. He worked everyday as Robin's bombproof mount for many timid patients and also won the Novice class last year with Robin aboard. He will be missed.

Bouffe was fine and ate his carrots but seemed to be as low key as I was at the loss of Snickers. He didn't eat with abandon like he usually does and even stopped several times to do what seemed like reflection on what had happened. He has always been a very sensitive horse and was certainly affected by the quiet demeanor of those at the farm this morning. 

Spring Planning - OTTB

I went to the farm and saw Bouffe this morning. I also had hippotherapy. The ground is still snow covered, but again Leslie had plowed the lane all the way to in front of the barn, so I was able to drive and park right in front of Bouffe's stall. Thank you Leslie!

Since I was unable to ride, I spent my time before hippotherapy talking to Bouffe while I fed him his carrots. He again bit off pieces of his liking while I held the carrot. I told him it would soon be time to go back into training and he stopped chewing and gave me that Bouffe look like he understood and wanted more details. When I told him I planned on he and I winning the novice class championship this year he shook his head up and down, much to my amazement. I have written before how I think this horse is a gift directly from God and yesterday he showed me again that he really does understand what I am doing and wants to be a part in it. I'm not one to write or usually believe in this type of stuff, but it has happened too many times in the last year. This horse is definitely special and is a true spiritual awaking in my life every time I visit him. 

Hippotherapy went very well; in fact, I think it was the best session I have ever had. It makes such a big difference when Eileen is there to handle the horse, which yesterday was Roscoe, who is young and can be a challenge at times. But yesterday Eileen, Robin and I worked as a team and I was able to ride better than I have for a long time and felt really good after I dismounted, which doesn't always happen. Thank you Eileen, Robin and Roscoe.