At 19:31:43 on 18.01.10, zoelovesanimals wrote:
In the last thread where i have put please help with my confidence, I had some really helpful advice from Caroline and others about riding and coping with my disability. And i wondered whether there was anyone else who lost their confidence when riding after becoming disabled, whether it was from an accident horsey or non horsey or an ongoing disability.

At 12:45:32 on 23.01.10, La Palma wrote:
I'm not in a wheelchair, but have problems moving. I been having backaches for some years, I had it checked and it is two discs that have been "leaking". So now I get a bit worried when the horse I'm riding starts to bolt and rear, because if I fall off that could cause me more back problems. What scares me most is not to be able to continue taken care of my filly. Maybe I shouldn't ride? but horses are my life. Kim

At 13:42:45 on 28.01.10, Flicka wrote:
Kim, that's a hard one- I suppose you have to make sure as much as you can that the horse is a safe ride. Could you bare to stop riding anyway? I know you're not in a wheelchair like Zoe but I heard about this woman the other day and thought how inspirational her story was. She's a canadian called Lauren Barwick who broke her back when a large bale of hay fell on her-proof that you don't have to be riding to have a bad accident-and is now in a wheelchair. She was determined to ride again and with the help of the Parellis won gold and silver at the Paralympics. I've added a link to her website as there's some pretty inspiring stuff on there.
http://laurenbarwick.typepad.com/the_road_to_bejing/a-little-bit-about-lauren.html

At 20:39:20 on 28.01.10, AoifeC wrote:
hey zoe, when i was 11 i was in a wheelchair still have it now but luckily i dont have to use it. when i was told i was allowed ride again after my operation (hip) i was a bit skeptical as i wasnt strong and i was lacking in confidence everywhere. i was even nervous to go to a riding school for a lesson, afriad that i wouldnt be able to squeeze or use my legs properly. i'm glad i did. it allowed me to get stronger and to help my confidence in all aspects of my life, dont let a disability stop you from riding if its what you love !

At 14:27:05 on 31.01.10, an38 wrote:
Hello. I have M.E which i manage quite well but there are days when im weak and find it hard to do stuff and the horse i used to share had his moments and i so had to be strong to controll him then became very tired after but always tried my best to ride everyday, unfortunately he was put down a few weeks ago, amazing horse. Before christmas i rode a different horse (first time i rode a horse that wasnt my share) he bucked a few times when we were trotting and managed him and barely moved so was very proud of myself as ive always suffered with confidence problems but as we went round the corner he spooked and i came off and i broke my vertebrae luckily no lasting damage, but i have been out of action and riding since the beginning of december and only really just started walking and going out again and have been now been aloud by my consultant to ride again only if i go to a disability riding stables near me and just walk. I was very naive at first (i remember laying in hospital and thinking i'll be back on next week!) thinking that i'll just need few lessons then i'll be back on again like nothings happened, but its just suddenly hit me that its gunna take alot more than that and am very nervous about getting back on again. So my advice would be just to take everything slowly and as AoifeC said dont let your disability stop you from doing what you love, and if you cant ride one day then go up the stables and groom or just cuddles, thats what i do when my M.E takes hold.. dont let it stop you! All the best x

At 23:26:39 on 09.02.10, Jojo78 wrote:
Hi there, I had to have major spinal surgery on my lower back a few years ago. The last disc was busted, and my spine was very unstable. It happened as a result of being trampled by a horse when I was 10. My spine is now bolted to my pelvis to stabalize it. I've been left with nerve damage to my legs, and often have to use a stick when walking, and occassionaly use a wheelchair. After the op, I was sore & miserable, and was told by my surgeon never to go near horses again. This is what upset me most of all. I just sat around all day, unhappy and comfort eating, and gained a lot of weight. Then, last May, I decided I had to do something to change my life for the better. And I knew that the only thing that would make me truly happy was to be around horses again. I started going to visit a friend of my mum's little Shetland pony, which he drove, and found myself finally gaining a sense of purpose and happiness again. Then I figured that, if I can't ride a horse, then perhaps I could drive one! To cut a long story short, I now have 2 Shetland ponies of my own, and am training them myself. When I'm really sore my friends, who I share a yard with help me with the heavy stuff, but I do everything else myself. Disability shouldn't stop you doing what you really want to do. They say that when 1 door closes, another 1 opens. Life is for living and everything is possible. I hope my story helps some of you gain a little hope xx

At 00:08:01 on 13.02.10, blindhorsedancer wrote:
I have been blind all my life. 10% vision. I lost my sight in an accident that should have taken my life, but instead took my sight. I take my hat off to anyone that has a serious accident of any type and rides again. especially if the accident occurred while involved with horses. I admire you and find you inspiring, you have my greatest RESPECT. I would never like to have any type of physical disability. I am limited in some ways physically because of my many crashes with horses and from handling so many and other activities that are on the edge. The best thing that happened to me is that I have never been pitied or patronized. These are the two worse things that you can do to anyone that is dealing with any type of injury or emotional crisis. In my way of thinking, anyone tells me that they have no fear and are in total control of a horse is a liar and is headed for one VERY BAD accident. If you do not at least have some butterflies in your stomach, why ride, and you will not be good at the activity that you are taking part in. These butterflies or right out fear gives you the edge you need to be good and confidant. Butterflies or fear are advisers and should be listened to. How can anyone have total control over an animal that is at least five times or more larger than they are and can define the laws of physics and also have a brain? If you do not have any fear and think you are in total control, then you must be bored and are a boring rider. Never let anyone tell you that you can not do anything because of your disability. If you do, you are allowing them to control your life and set limits on you. I have always done anything that I wanted to do such as skydiving, SCUBA Diving, water and snow skiing, of course ride horses, and at one time a bicycle was my form of transportation. So keep enjoying horses and if you need anyone for encouragement I am there for you. I have taken some pretty good falls with and off horses, but always have gotten back on. I sometimes do pity people that do not have disability because they do not appreciate their other senses and learn other ways of doing things.

At 02:15:43 on 13.02.10, fi919 wrote:
7 years ago i had a non horse related accident and broke my neck.At the time i was in severe pain but still was able to walk around and do normal stuff,just thought that it was whip lash...lol.I still rode my horse ,a fiesty thoroughbred who was unpredictable.After 2 years of slowly not being as able and more tests,scans,physio was referred to a consultant thats when he told me that i should be in a wheelchair and was very lucky but needed an ergent op.My confidence with my horse dropped through the floor just knowing the result as i rushed to hospital

At 02:27:43 on 13.02.10, fi919 wrote:
Sorry posted too early! After op was told never to lift any more than 5kg and NEVER to ride.Well if you did everything that you get told life would be boring.I had a lovely horse to look after and after 2 weeks of getting my strength back went riding,very nervously but managed it.Everything hurt so much but it didnt matter,now i have my 2 Spanish horses and my 1 is great confidence booster.It has took alot of time to get my confidence back but its always in the back of my mind but i know my limits and i try and stick to them.As long as there are experienced people around you just to reassure you you will be fine.If riding really cant be done take up driving its just as much fun,there are plenty of disabled horse lovers that do this.

At 21:23:41 on 23.02.10, Tina S wrote:
Hi there :) I hear you. Though I'm not in a wheelchair, my injury has severely compromised my confidence in the saddle, but I persevere ;) 10 years ago I was in a road accident which left me with multiple injuries, the worst being the below knee amputation, and what was left of the leg is not in good shape. So I always feel like I'm coming unbalanced or queuing the horse to do something I didn't intend to due to very little control of the right leg. Since the accident I have started a small Arabian horse stud, and do most of my own training - though sometimes I have a panic attack about my limited ability and get someone to help - which is harder than anything else to do! It has taught me to be resourceful though ;) There are some awesome horse/rider biomechanics trainers who specialise in riders with disabilities - I've located a couple in Australia, just need to be able to get to them for some coaching... But it won't stop me ;) ...like fi919 said, know your limits, and if you're feeling unsure, keep experienced people with you when you ride, or at least have someone supervising by the arena if that's where you prefer to ride. But most of all, don't let your disability stop you from enjoying what you love the most - your horses :)