Don’t lower the board.
1 Like
We don’t pay for water or sewer, and trash rates are unchanged. The only real change to our bill is electricity and natural gas, but we use far less electricity in summer and very little natural gas. We decided to up board $50 in winter, and $25 in summer.
2 Likes
DH is out of town now for a night or two. I have clients helping with turn out and bringing in, and possibly for helping dump muck tubs into side by side. I admit I am a little anxious - more about just being home alone than about the horses. I will avoid going into the basement or having a shower/bath while he is gone. (I work in a barn and feed mill…nobody will notice).
I am now feeling pain. Mostly in my LEFT (good) leg. Cramping in the calves, pain in my pubic area when I fully weight bare on my left leg and if I sit on anything hard. Both legs feel like they have shin splints. The only “don’t do it” pain I have is if I try to push something with my right leg (like moving a trot pole out), but I can lift and carry poles no problem (still not carrying standards) because they are awkward.
There are two people lined up to try my big yellow guy. I also need to rehome my nutty mare, but no idea how to do that. Will start contacting trainers I think aren’t nuts.
Sending a letter with the rate increase/changes tonight. I am not sure if I am anxious about that, about DH being away, from the pain, or just because I had coffee…but feeling anxious. Two clients are more affected than others - they might leave, but they are our most high maintenance clients, so kind of the point of the changes.
I started using the four wheeled walker to get from the house to the barn and back just in case I get a bad leg cramp and lose my balance or need to sit. Fun fact, the seat and bars on the walker hold 4-5 flakes of hay, so it’s perfect for feeding time! I don’t have any pens with more than four horses, so I can carry enough a trip to make sure nobody is left out.
5 Likes
You might find it more comfortable to sleep in a recliner… while watching a movie.
2 Likes
DH went out of town for work…and we get a blizzard. Found out that wheeled walkers do NOT work well in snow. The wheels jam up with snow. Not sure what the plan is for afternoon/night, but could use the side by side to get around - the walker was just good at carrying hay.
My left leg was giving me grief this morning again. I think it’s in part just nerve regeneration, but I have to walk like a bow legged cowboy to get any relief.
Sent out notice of rates and service changes. Owner of bucky horse has given her notice. Her horse is THE ONLY horse on year round board and we aren’t going to offer inside board June-September. This year, we kept one of ours in to keep him company…which makes zero financial sense. She feels he needs the daily supplements and blanket service that comes with inside board. I do feel it is odd she gave notice NOW, when the change doesn’t affect her until June, but I wonder if she took it personally? He IS the highest maintenance horse, and has become hard to handle at times…we want to simplify so we can more easily get away, but she is a lovely person and very supportive so it is still hard. I wonder if she will try to convince her friend to go with her.
There is one other client that is disproportionately affected, so awaiting her reaction. She is the highest maintenance client (her horses aren’t bad), so we will see.
It is hard (emotionally) to run a barn business when I wear all the hats - I am too close to the clients for it to not seem a little personal I think.
8 Likes
I think that’s true of many of us.
1 Like
Well F. This snow is not stopping. Wet, and about 6 inches deep, with significant drifts in places. For some reason this is causing my left leg significant grief. Trying crutches with some success, but my brain still wants to protect my right leg, so having trouble switching around the timing of the crutches. DH is waiting until tomorrow to come home (roads should be better). My right leg is being a champ. It is something about having to lift over the snow as it is too sticky to shuffle through. Will use the side by side tonight and create a path with the tires for feeding hay. Wanted to cry trying to get back to the house this afternoon. The pain makes me snippy.
1 Like
Is there no one you can call to help you? Boarder? friend?
1 Like
Nothing tests a marriage like an accident that throws our spouse into our world. I am thankful that with both my shoulder replacement and broken ankle I had my daughter who took over for me 100%.
I can’t even imagine my husband and I surviving if he had to do it and we have been married 31 years!
You are both under so much stress , which only increases the longer it takes to heal.
Have you been cleared by your doctor to walk like you are doing? Please , Please try not to go too aggressively and push yourself. Especially in snow.
3 Likes
Yes, but hard to get last minute help in a serious blizzard! It was a shockingand unexpected dump of heavy snow that started when it was still above freezing, so ice on roads.
DH home now and used the tractor to make some paths. It’s about to get quite cold soon, so a little worried about that. I was warned my cold tolerance (in my legs) would be diminished…but not sure why. Fortunately barn is heated.
Unfortunately healing is not a linear thing, and now that nerves are repairing, and connective tissue is repairing, and muscles being challenged, I am quite sore in the, ahem, pubic area when it comes time to sleep. Might try the recliner tonight.
Recheck on Wednesday! Hoping I can get physio scheduled, but the physiotherapist/trainer who is riding my horse suggested I only go to a “Public Health Physiotherapist”, because they have advanced training, so will see what availability is.
People ask “when” I will be riding again, but honestly I still feel it’s an “if”. I don’t think I am willing to sacrifice walking comfortably as I age for riding…although it is also possible riding will be a helpful therapy.
8 Likes
Fingers crossed for good news at your follow up appointment! Are you feeling any better today?
1 Like
Feeling great today! Something felt like it popped back in place along my sacrum last night while in bed, and today I was able to walk through drifting snow no problem. Still things I can’t do, but the list is getting shorter. Still can’t sleep on right side unfortunately.
I found snow pants to wear outside over my layer of long underwear and sweat pants…supposed to be cold this week and have been struggling with cold intolerance.
Have three trials of my gelding this week - had one friday, but it was a kid coming off a pony, and my guy just felt too big to her - his canter scared her - but he was a good boy.
7 Likes
Several extra pillows at night, one between your legs and others snuggling your back and pelvis.
Makes you more comfy. Plus baby your body instead of pushing too hard. Gotta let things heal.
Hugs to you!!!
3 Likes
You can train yourself to sleep on the left side.
Presumably your heart is on the left. If so, it is better to sleep on your left hand side as it gives more space for your internal organs. Also the way your oesophagus is attached, it is better sealed when you sleep on your left hand side minimising acid reflux.
3 Likes
I have been sleeping on my left, but I get stiff at night and usually alternate a bit…and I prefer right though. Working on sleeping on my stomach as an alternative.
@Marla_100 It’s my hip that seems sore when I sleep right - rearranging my legs doesn’t make a difference. It’s something I am going to discuss with the doctor. That said though…is there such thing as a knee pillow? I do need something. The physiotherapist who is riding my horse is amazed by my progress - it’s nice to have an educated person I can talk with about the healing process!
2 Likes
Get a full body pillow. It’s a life changer.
1 Like
Plus, there’s lots of kinds of knee pillows out there, different shapes and types.
1 Like
LOL sleeping on your stomach is worse as it puts pressure on all the internal organs.
I found out when I sneaked a peak at my file when the chiropractor was out of the room. Written in Capital letters, underlined with 2 asterisks on both sides was stomach sleeper, so I asked why.
2 Likes
I’m with the idea of sleeping in the recliner. I did that after shoulder replacement and it was a life saver. However, the recliner was NOT good for sleeping after my latest hip replacement, just 3 weeks ago today. I found sleeping on the couch, with a pillow propping head/shoulders up on the arm, on my back, was the best thing.
Also second a pillow between your knees if you are on your side. I always get stiff and toss and turn during the night. On the couch though, I slept the night through.
After reading about your accident, and a few other folks’ stories, I am thankful for just having various joint replacements. I will say that arthiritis, as one ages, is really hard to cope with. I seemed to have a whole body flare this past summer - knees, back, feet, hip…all hurt almost unbearably. I haven’t ridden since May.
But with various injections, PT, and the total hip replacement, I hope to be good to go in a month. I hope you will continue to heal and feel better. And I do hope you can ride happily again as it fills such a place in our hearts.
4 Likes
I am looking into the knee pillow. My problem with the recliner we have is that my feet hang off the end, and the edge of the footrest hits my (well, just below it) DVT. This problem is compounded by the weight of the inevitable cat on my legs.
Right now my mental issues are probably worse than physical - the what if’s and what should I’s
We started making much needed changes to our barn business. Some of which were in the planning phase before my injury, but now it is more complicated. Some changes were also put on hold because DH was away much more than expected.
But…change is scary because it comes with an element of the unknown. This change will mean some clients leave…will others fill their space? Will the new model be marketable?
We had one boarder leave recently (to take her old boy closer to home), another boarder’s horse just sold, and her sister is the one that gave an oddly long notice she was leaving - I wonder if her sister leaving will speed up her departure? But…the two sisters were the ones who kind of steered me off course in the first place - only wanted to do the “real” shows and not the little one and two day schooling shows I was happy doing. Still, that is three horses gone. Two of which took 2 lessons a week each.
My lesson horses are underworked - hoping I can soon advertise for new students / lease riders. My old guy does best in regular work, and his one rider is vetting a horse next week (fingers crossed! A fun little quarter horse who’s owner actually did things like do his feet and vaccinate him, and put a very solid start on him).
3 Likes
