How do you manage riding with broken finger?

[Canaqua]

My big dog broke it when another, loose, dog charged her out of the bushes, when she was leashed. Other dog only wanted to play, but mine does not take kindly to being accosted like that. I hung onto her, so she wouldn’t beat up the offender, but my finger broke above the top joint in the scuffle.

Left ring finger, so one I do use to ride. It is splinted and not too bad if I don’t use it for much, but I’m wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to ride with it? Mare is very strong and will root when having a tantrum, she is very marish and opinionated. I could just hack her on a loose rein and not ask for much in the way of work, in order not to risk an argument, she’d be happy with that…no jumping, no expecting her to do lateral work or engage her hind end. Though I’m not sure it would be a great idea to do that for a month, as then she’d really be a pill when asked to work again.

[Cosmopolis]

I broke this exact finger two summers ago. I was able to hold the reins with only my index and middle fingers on that hand with success. If you can manage with just the two fingers then the splint can remain on and the finger relaxed while you ride. Good luck!

[ParadoxFarm]

I feel for you! I hope you heal quickly. I broke my little finger twice, but I just rode with the splint on. Looked funny with my pinky sticking out, but it worked. I imagine the ring finger will be trickier.

[chunky_munky]

Hold the reins between your thumb and index finger. Quite comfortable and quite effective.

[IPEsq]

I badly sprained a ring finger once…enough that it didn’t have its own splint but was splinted by taping to my little finger. I held the reins with the first 2 fingers.

[Canaqua]

[QUOTE=chunky munky;7729932]
Hold the reins between your thumb and index finger. Quite comfortable and quite effective.[/QUOTE]

I’ll try that…I’ve been meaning to try riding with “driving reins” anyway, as mare is always trying to goad me into pulling on her, so she can root effectively (her go to evasion), it’s a real mind of matter thing not to take her bait. Maybe the broken finger will be a good thing in the long run ;).

[Manahmanah]

Was going to suggest tape and driving rein but you already figured it out!

[stytal]

My mare spiral fractured my left ring finger. I just rode with the pointer and middle finger and left the broken one out. It only caused a problem for about a week but I have been told I have a high pain tolerance. I can’t imagine it would really cause problems for a whole month though. Good luck!

[faraway46]

Been there, done that.
Tape it together with your pinky, from top to bottom. It supports it more and helps with the pain. I showed like that (both fingers taped together, with the ring finger on a small splint), since I was in a championship and couldn’t afford scratching. It will bother a bit, but won’t hurt as much.
Hang in there and good luck!

[Simbalism]

Luckily, my older horse can be ridden with one hand which I frequently do when trail riding(w/t/c). My younger horse can be ridden with one hand at the walk, and hoping she will learn to do the other gaits with one hand. Never know when it might come in handy.