The way to an author’s heart…
You are so lucky to have such a good chiro. Wow, one-stop shopping! Are you on a regular, preventive schedule for chiropractic/massage/acupuncture, or do you just make appointments when you feel the need? That’s been my habit, but I’m beginning to wonder whether a regular schedule would make more sense.
Oh, and thanks so much for the kind words - if we’re ever in the same area, I’d be delighted to sign that book for you!
Well, One Gray Pony…
I am sitting here in bed on a Saturday night having just read your posting about your riding and the severity of your accidents. I am really feeling you are one tough cookie and are really in touch with the mind/body connection and have taken the time to heal.
Well, I hadn’t and learned my lesson. I wouldn’t call me tough…stubborn, bullheaded and insane have all been words used to describe me 
I’m actually quite a weenie about pain.
You know what happens next, right? I went to swing leg over into saddle well…my body wouldn’t move that way. I landed booty onto the cantle and greenie leaps into a full gallop and headed fast for a fence. (Again!).
Ouch!
Okay…I am done for six to eight weeks. What the heck was I thinking???
The same thing I was thinking when I got on my greenie after a serious injury. Which was “oh, I’ll just go for a little hack, what could POSSIBLY happen?”.
I don’t want to lose all of the conditioning, leg strenthening, forward progress I have made over the last year! This is heart breaking. I mean…I love the challenge, the ups and downs. But never, never have I been faced with this serious an injury.
I understand. It sucks. It really really sucks. But I will tell you that there’s a real benefit to taking it slow. I’m still forcing myself to take it slowly. I’m eyeing up Canter horses right now, wanting a second horse to bring on. And reminding myself that that may be the dumbest idea EVER. I need to give myself more time to get secure and solid in the saddle. I need to get back to the point where I have more good rides than rides where I feel awkward and goofy.
Then maybe I can eye up a second OTTB.
Maybe.
Time to whine --it looks like the last couple of months of the year are going to be awful. 7 days a week type awful
Uggg, I’m sorry Tarheel. I finally rearranged my life so that I wasn’t in that position. Took me awhile to do that and now that turnouts have changed I have to figure it all out again growl
I have good news everyone… I finally had a great ride, AND I didn’t fall off! My trainer jokingly said “So the princess is staying another week?” It almost felt like for the first time she was listening to me, and taking my advice rather than trying to figure everything out on her own.
Congrats LuvMyRide!!! That’s great!!! Hold onto that feeling…it’s a good one!
I find all this chiropractor stuff fascinating. I’ve been extremely resistant to going, because the last time I tried to go to one she said she wouldn’t work on me due to the condition of my back. Which scared me. I have pretty bad stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal). The doctor that looked at my MRI said “wow, you have the spine of a 60 year old”. When my muscles get tight they pull just a little bit on my vertebrae and I get tingling and numbness. I still can’t feel my left pinky. If I had two brain cells to rub together I just wouldn’t ride, but that’s SO not an option. Tried that and let’s just say I’m not pleasant to be around when horses aren’t in my life. I’m quite sure that back surgery will be in my future, so I’m trying to plan for it.
I’m still struggling with this concept that I am older now. And that bits of me are going to start falling off rapidly. I’m not even that old. I’m really not. sigh
Pasde2 - don’t know about a schedule with the chiro - just saw him for the first time on Friday and go back on Monday. And yes, I would love for you to sign my book if the opportunity arises!
I will say this - Empress Chicken Heart (that would be me) rode her horse today. With a quake in her belly and a shake to her limbs - why? The wind was blowing hard gusts. Trees moving, underbrush moving - everything moving. One of the last times I rode in little to no wind - Finn spooked at the invisible monster and I ended up in the dirt. Terrified to ride in a hurricane does not begin to describe how I felt. I just knew he would eyeball every little thing.
Well Mr. Finn decided to show me - nothing bothered him - nothing. He was a little up, it is after all, cooler than it has been. But he was the bestest boy!
Now the tie in to the chiro: one of my biggest issues has been swinging leg syndrome - usually the left. Today, I felt much more able to sit straight, did not feel my leg move as much. So maybe the improvement in my position helped him to remain sane??
I will say this - Empress Chicken Heart (that would be me) rode her horse today. With a quake in her belly and a shake to her limbs - why? The wind was blowing hard gusts. Trees moving, underbrush moving - everything moving. One of the last times I rode in little to no wind - Finn spooked at the invisible monster and I ended up in the dirt. Terrified to ride in a hurricane does not begin to describe how I felt. I just knew he would eyeball every little thing.
Well Mr. Finn decided to show me - nothing bothered him - nothing. He was a little up, it is after all, cooler than it has been. But he was the bestest boy!
Congratulations!! That’s wonderful.
We have no wind today…it’s very still. I was going to give the boogerbutt the day off, and I still might, but he doesn’t like days off and neither do I really.
I’m going to have to ride in the indoor tonight because they’ve switched turnouts to daytime and I want him to have as much outside time as possible. Plus, now I have to give him a late night snack instead of a midday snack.
So I just might set up a few itty bitty crossrails. Haven’t jumped in awhile. Fear I’ll make a terrible bungle of it.
Just might.
OneGrey - did you get damage from the storm?? We got hit HARD. No power estimated for the next 3 days. Ugh. Staying @ a friends’ place which is great but my dog, cat, and 2 horses are at home, so I’m doing the back-and-forth.
Got to ride on Sunday morning, and had a GREAT ride.
For those with video cameras, I HIGHLY recommend videoing your rides. Its been REALLY helpful for me to see what I’m doing wrong (and right!!!)
My problem is jumping ahead, so we worked on it and I think it was better!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWpbWKQSMY4
OneGrey - did you get damage from the storm?? We got hit HARD. No power estimated for the next 3 days. Ugh. Staying @ a friends’ place which is great but my dog, cat, and 2 horses are at home, so I’m doing the back-and-forth.
Ooh, what a pain!! No, we’re all good here. Snowy and cold, but our power stayed on. We did gather firewood and had it inside to get “extra dry” just in case though!!
You look great spacytracy! Nice!
Had a good lesson this morning. Nothing too strenuous, as I haven’t rode in nearly 3 weeks. Lots of trotting, learning to post my new(er) lesson horse’s quicker trot, working on downward transitions … And ghost stories with my trainer. 
Like real life, ‘This is what I experienced’ ghost stories and tales about voodoo and spirits here in the South.
So, I ended up riding about 30 minutes and talking another 30. (And when I end up whining that I’m not doing ‘X’ yet, y’all be sure to point me back to this post.)
====
ETA: Went to the barn’s combined training show this weekend. I was talking about showing with another re-rider and she was hounding me about why I wasn’t showing that weekend and when did I want to show, etc. Well, I told her I didn’t really like dressage, and that I was going to so some local equitation classes in the spring, and I was waiting because I needed to get my show clothes purchased … She then told me, ‘Just wear anything. It doesn’t matter what you wear in a schooling show.’ :eek: And my voice rose two octaves and my Southern accent disappeared when I said, ‘Well – it matters to me!’
I don’t understand how a dyke like me can be such a hunter princess sometimes. :uhoh:
[QUOTE=jaslyn1701;5925847]
Pasde2 - don’t know about a schedule with the chiro - just saw him for the first time on Friday and go back on Monday. And yes, I would love for you to sign my book if the opportunity arises![/QUOTE]
Count on it. I’d love to meet you in person.
[/QUOTE]Now the tie in to the chiro: one of my biggest issues has been swinging leg syndrome - usually the left. Today, I felt much more able to sit straight, did not feel my leg move as much. So maybe the improvement in my position helped him to remain sane??[/QUOTE]
No doubt! Sitting straighter says “I’m confident, I’m in charge, you can relax” - as opposed to leaning forward, which says “Go, baby GO, let’s get out of here!” And the quieter left leg has to help, not just by helping to stabilize your seat and upper body, but by letting you use those legs to give your horse a continual light, soft, reassuring “hug.” That kind of leg position can do wonders for a nervous horse.
Obviously you’re doing something very right here - well done you!
[QUOTE=Opus1;5928300]
I don’t understand how a dyke like me can be such a hunter princess sometimes. :uhoh:[/QUOTE]
Almost had to change my underwear after reading that.
The pone had a narcoleptic episode a few days ago on the cross ties. I chalked it up to night time turnout plus our riding during the day.
Today, he nearly went down in the arena after tightening his girth. sigh So…now I need to address saddle fit again. Not sure what it’s all about…he’s never done that even in saddles that REALLY didn’t fit him well.
I think he’s really trying to make me gray.
I needed that, Opus1…I am gimping around whining to whomever might listen about how my ribs and back are broken from my greenie.
I agree…we can’t show up to a show not looking and feeling confident about our turnout. This is serious biz, people!
Thanks for the smiles!
[QUOTE=OneGrayPony;5929310]
The pone had a narcoleptic episode a few days ago on the cross ties. I chalked it up to night time turnout plus our riding during the day.
Today, he nearly went down in the arena after tightening his girth. sigh So…now I need to address saddle fit again. Not sure what it’s all about…he’s never done that even in saddles that REALLY didn’t fit him well.
I think he’s really trying to make me gray.[/QUOTE]
My trainers OTTB does that! She’s had her for 5 years, and has done it since day one. If the crossties are hooked up, she will fall asleep while you are tacking her up. Literally almost fall down sleeping.
Yep, his knees start to buckle and he almost goes down. Freakiest thing I’ve ever seen. The first day he did it, I kept putting his bridle on and he let me put it halfway on his face (like, the bit literally hanging out of his mouth) and I stopped and he just stood there with it half on like that.
If you’d know this horse, you’d know that if he were awake, he’d never stand for that. He’d be doing his little head-flippy thing that indicates that he finds the situation to be completely undignified and totally unsuitable for royalty such as himself.
I didn’t even have his girth on tightly.
On the other hand, we did have quite a lovely ride. Yes, I got on him anyway, once I shook him awake. He moved out fine, and he’s definitely getting more fit, because his hind end felt more with me than it’s felt.
Both of us had the time off, so we’re two unfit pasture puffs huffing and puffing around the ring together. I did some posting trot without stirrups…um…yea…I can make it down the long side. I used to ride bareback everywhere (and jump!), and I can’t ride more than the long side stirrupless hanging head in shame
Guess there’s nowhere to go but up then!
Spacytracy, you look great! I should try to have my friend video record me at some point.
I’m going back for a second lesson this morning at a barn my friend started at. We’ll see how it goes. There is an opportunity to lease locally that’s been advertised (through a different barn) that I’m not sure about, but I’d like some opinions on the horse/situation. For fear of calling anyone out online/IRL, anyone willing to chime in via PM?
Hopefully I’ll have an update in a few hours when I get back!
One of the best things about getting back into riding is shopping for gear – new helmet, new breeches, yay! What kind of breeches does everyone like to school in?
[QUOTE=Pancakes;5929929]
!
One of the best things about getting back into riding is shopping for gear – new helmet, new breeches, yay! What kind of breeches does everyone like to school in?[/QUOTE]
I agree!! Shopping is fun! Of the three brands I bought when I started back riding in July: Equine Couture, Tuff Rider, and Dover’s Riding Sport Competitor I liked Dover’s the best. As I am not a 20 yr stick anymore, they are a little roomier and have the euro style seeming in the back. I also like the material. Strechy but not skin tight! I did also like the Equine Couture but they are a little close fitting. They Tuff Riders are the most skin tight but very stretchy. My preference is on the looser side!!
Happy shopping!
I wear various brands of schoolers; my two pairs of Kerrits are my favorites and ar the most comfortable. My daughter has a pair of ribbed Tuffriders that are very nice. They look sharp.
For showing, I just treated myself to a new pair of RJ Classics Sterling show breeches (mid-rise). I can’t believe how nice they are! Can’t wait to wear them when I show in a couple of weeks.
Oh boy - don’t get me into shopping!! I can wander around the human store for an hour and see nothing. Take me to the tack shop - whole nuther story. How many saddle pads is too many?? Polos, standing wraps, boots. Treats, shampoos - you name it.
Then there’s the stuff for me: Tall boots, paddock boots, half chaps (just got a new pair), breeches (love TuffRider), and so on. Gloves, gloves, gloves. Two helmets - one for school, one for show.
The door into my spare bedroom currently holds: 2 martingales (my horse does not wear one), a bridle (spare), 2 leather halters and a saddle bag. Some might call it the beginning of an addiction - I call it decor!
Breeches: Right now, I just have one pair. And those are Equine Couture jean breeches. I actually really, really like them. They’re tough and hold up well. The only minor problem I have is that they’re pretty darn low rise, so I feel like I need to pull them up when I’m on the ground.
[QUOTE=LuvMyRide;5929042]
Almost had to change my underwear after reading that.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=ballisticgirl;5929345]I needed that, Opus1…I am gimping around whining to whomever might listen about how my ribs and back are broken from my greenie.
I agree…we can’t show up to a show not looking and feeling confident about our turnout. This is serious biz, people!
Thanks for the smiles![/QUOTE]
I’m glad I made y’all smile. I probably wouldn’t care so much about turn out if it didn’t matter so much to my first trainer, the man who taught me how to ride in the first place. Who was lord and master of all things equitation as far as my team was concerned. I remember he would go through the catalogs and circle the exact thing he wanted us to wear in the ring. And he was always ringside with a cloth to wipe our boots down before we entered.
So, knowing how important turnout was to him, I could not in good faith go to a show in just a polo, or even the wrong colors. (I don’t have a hangup about brands or cost, but I do want to have the usual show shirt, coat, breeches, tall boots, etc.)
Guys guys guys! I tried a horse today! I think I might share a lease with my friend with her. It’s at a gorgeous barn on a horse that will take care of both of us – my re-rider once-intermediate self, and my beginner friend. She’s smaller than I was originally looking for but completely bombproof, very smart, a great listener, very honest, and not too forward. I’m SO excited!!! Videos would be up except the weather was crappy today and it was getting dark out.
Thanks for the suggestions on breeches! I tried on a pair of Ariat Heritage breeches today and loved them, but they are so expensive for schooling – $90!! The Tuff Rider ones I tried they had in store were full-seat but they totally didn’t fit. Is it a full seat vs. knee patch thing or are they always cut like that? The butt was HUGE but the rest of it fit not so bad. I’ll definitely check out the Dover Brand and I’m willing to give the TuffRider another shot if the regular kind isn’t so baggy in the butt! I’m a 28 regular in almost every other brand…does this brand fit true to size?
Other than that I rode 2x today, once in the lesson and the other time to try this new horse at this new barn – I think I’m in love with the new place. It reminds me of where I first learned to ride, and I love that vibe. They had safety and horsemanship #1 priority, which is right up my alley. I feel like I’m 12 again!!!
Pancakes, I have several pairs of Tuffriders, and I also wear a 28. In my experience, they run true to size. My daughter loves the ribbed ones for schooling. I bought them online, don’t remember where.
Congratulations on the new horse! We want to hear all about her!
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