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.  

Hippotherapy - OTTB - Me & Bouffe

In the last post I talked about physical therapy and how important it was; in addition, if you are serious about riding with a disability you also need hippotherapy.

I am sure many of you are like I was and don't feel you need all that extra help in riding a horse. The first thing you have to do is get over that idea. You will be surprised how much the exercises you do on and off the horse will help you with the symptoms of your disability. With me it has been balance and flexibility. 

As I said at the beginning of this blog I thought I didn't need hippotherapy; after all, I had ridden some very difficult horses on the racetrack, how bad could my balance be. SURPRISE !!!!! It stunk. In addition my legs were so tight I could barely lift the right up far enough to get on. Getting off was an experience all it own. Once I got my right leg over the horses back I flew off the horse because I had lost that much strength in my arms I couldn't hold myself back. I know Robin dreaded it and if it wasn't for her overall physical fitness I would have been lying flat on my back. 

But Robin has stuck with me for the last five years and I can honestly say the she and her program have been one of the most important aspects of my desire to ride independently again. This is Robin program: Robin Korotki, Back To Fitness Hippotherapy, 410-825-0650. 

Leslie did trim Bouffe and did some work on tight muscles in his back. He was also off in his right hind, which could have been from his feet. We will find out in the next few days. She also noticed that the saddle is rubbing him on his shoulders. The Passier Willi Schultheis dressage saddle arrived today, so the old saddle is history as far as Bouffe is concerned. I'm going to the farm again on Wednesday and I'll see how it fits him then.

Comments

I would appreciate any and all comments from the readers of this blog. I would like to know what you think of my post and any experience you may have or had while riding with a disability.

Multiple Sclerosis - The Day After The Horse Show

It took awhile, but late last night it finally all sunk in, Bouffe and I had won three blue ribbons in our first show. I lied in bed thinking about it until I fell to sleep. A sleep that didn't last to long, for I was awakened at 1 AM  by my old friend pain.

I knew I had participated in more activities yesterday than I had ever done, since going on disability fifteen years ago. Now, I thought I had worked up to it gradually, but my body didn't care, and was now reacting with all the usual stuff all at one time: muscle spasms, numbness and tightness in my legs, and what I call the shooting pain that runs from the back of my neck into my shoulders and down my arms. I needed to get up and take some meds, which consisted of three Ibuprofen and a Mirapex.

I never get instant relief, or anything close to it, but after several hours and some comfort food (a peanut butter sandwich) I was back to sleep until six, when the roofers started work on the church across the street.

So, today has been a day of rest; although, I did swim my laps, five rather than the usual ten, I didn't want to push myself but I needed some type of exercise.

I am planing to see Bouffe tomorrow, knowing he needed a day off too, and am sure I would have heard from Patti if anything wasn't just right with him this morning.

I've been thinking about the future a lot today and know I want Bouffe and I to go as far in the show ring as we can. I'm prepared to do the work involved and have no reason not to believe Bouffe will too.   

Therapeutic Riding - A Blue Ribbon Day

This has been quite a day. It didn't start out so well when I lost my balance and fell hard to the floor. Those of you with MS know how easily this can happen and how scary it can be. Well, even though my body made a lot of noise when it hit the hardwood floor everything was OK and I got up and continued getting myself ready for the show today.

Even though I wore my rubber boots, I was trying to keep a positive mind frame that I wouldn't have to bring Bouffe in through all the mud, as Barbara and I drove to Gunpowder Stables. When we pulled in to the barn area, I breathed a sigh of relief, when I saw Bouffe's head sticking out of his stall door. 

When I got to his stall Bouffe seem to know this was going to be a special kind of day. Even though all of the other horses were also in, Bouffe came out of his stall quietly and stood calmly as I groomed him, pulled his mane and put on his shipping bandages. I remembered then how lucky I was to have such a horse. Words I would hear again in a few hours.

I can't say enough good things about the shipping company, Stokes Creek LLC, I hired through uShip. Steve Pelham arrived with his gooseneck right on time at 7 AM. This began a day of the highest quality service I have ever experienced when shipping horses. Steve stayed with us the entire morning, always ready to help wherever he could.

Bouffe shipped well, but became agitated in being tied up outside the gooseneck. He wanted to work, which became obvious when I brought his tack out and he again stood quietly while I put it on.
He was back to his usual calm collected self once I mounted.

Our first class was therapeutic (as all the classes were) walk halt. Bouffe did no wrong and we won first place! When we turned and faced the judge she commented, "You are very lucky to have such a fine horse." I couldn't have agreed more. 

The second class was walk, trot and I felt I didn't do as well. I knew I was on the wrong diagonal several times and didn't do real well at the sitting trot either, but Bouffe went on and did his job well enough that we won the blue ribbon again!

I was overwhelmed with the results and all the congratulations we received as we left the ring. Bouffe was such a ham and stood still any time someone wanted to take our picture.

The last class was trail: over through and around cavaleties, barrels, cones, and stopping in a square and at a mailbox. This was held in the indoor ring and Bouffe was starting to get tired but still did well enough to earn another blue ribbon. Quite a day for our first show.

I decided today to board Bouffe at Four Quarters Farm, http://fourqtrsfarm.com/  which was where the show was held, and also where I take hippotherapy. That way I will continue to do my hippotherapy with Robin and also take lessons from Leslie Bosley who owns the farm and was very supportive in Bouffe's and my show ring debut.

Winning these ribbons today was just as rewarding as any race I ever won when I was training and I really believe Bouffe knew he had won them too.