Riding again after breaking bones- Help

[Carey1]

I have spent the past 2 1/2 months reading these forums and I am always amazed at the advice and support given to everyone. So- I have decided to post my woes and ask for advice and support. Yes- it's a first for me.

In early December I broke my knee cap and spent 6 weeks confined to a wheel chair. Then on to the crutches, and I am now in physical therapy and walking with a cane as a just in case. My doctor has given me the go ahead to start riding my boy again- slowly at first, and hopefully being able to build up the strength in my leg again.

So- what's the problem? The problem is simply middle aged fear coupled with the fact that my thyroid has been acting up and I have gained a bit of weight on top of a very weak leg. The thought of getting on my boy again without much strength in my right leg and the weight gain has me shaking in my boots ! For the first time in my life, I am finding myself fearful of getting back in the saddle. Even walking around the house or doing any activity at all has me being overly cautious with my leg and fearful of tripping or falling.

So I ask, has any one had the same experience , and if so, please help me to try to get myself back to "normal".......LOL....at least normal for me!!
Thanks.

[saddleup]

I think what you're feeling is totally normal after a bad injury. Several years ago I broke my shoulder blade in a jumping accident and it was three months before I could ride. I feel that the fact I couldn't get right back on after I fell (unlike the countless other times I bit the dust!) made it so much harder because I had literally months to worry and become nervous. Not to mention the loss of muscle and balance after time off.

Ask yourself if your horse is the right one to help you get your confidence back. If not, find another one to borrow that you know will be calm and take care of you. Fortunately my guy was a saint, and I knew it, but that said I was still a nervous wreck that first ride, and all I did was walk him around for fifteen minutes.

Good luck to you. It's definitely possible to get over the nervousness and get back to your old self.

[birdsong]

Yes..I agree with the previous poster...I've had several bad injuries in my adult rerider life of the past 12 years. After a time I came to the understanding it was related to osteoporosis which I was initially unaware of....

Well I still have a bit of wariness...I simply CANNOT fall or will break...maybe...I just ride more cautiously, and never get on another horse other my own two.

Injuries serve to remind us that we aren't super human beings (although we know that women with horses are some of the strongest out there!)

Just go easy and breathe...soon you will begin to relax again. Good Luck! You can do it!

[Sarabeth]

Last summer, I went through what you are going through after I broke my arm.

In addition to the other good advice you have already received, Make sure the odds are stacked in your favor when you prepare to ride again. Use your deepest seated saddle, wear sticky pants, put your helmet on, lunge your horse first and ride in a quiet, non-spooky area.

[pines4equines]

I agree with Sarabeth.

Last year, I broke my ankle and when I went to ride again, I was really scared. What I did was buy a western saddle. It has no horn so I added a grab strap to the rings on front. I started in a small area about the size of a round pen and really just worked my way up.

I think realizing you're not going to be the same is half the battle. All the should haves and could haves have to go by the wayside and you have to listen to your body and inner self. If you're scared, take it a step back.

And, don't yell at me but I simply got off if I got too scared. But I do have to say the western saddle which made me stick like a tick and the grab strap did wonders for me!

Good luck!

[Ambrey]

I had a terrible fall in 2007- nothing spectacular about the circumstances, I just held on too long and came off on the rail and flipped to the hard ground outside the arena. I broke 6 bones!

Anyway, baby steps, that's all I can say. I was just chatting with someone from my training barn who broke some ribs a few months after, and it's HARD! You might never be quite the same. Breaking bones hurts, and your brain will come up with so many ways to convince you that getting back on that horse ever again is a VERY BAD IDEA.

Just don't believe that silly old brain ;) I started (very weak, 6 months laid up, atrophied to hell) with my trainer walking around the bullpen at my horse's head, while I tried to get muscles listening to me again. I moved to the arena.... with my trainer still walking around with me ;) I started off trotting half a 20 meter circle- then a whole one- then half the arena- then the whole arena... and so on.

The fear? It comes and goes. It's always in the back of my mind, popping up as unwelcome images. I haven't fallen again since then, and sometimes I think that when that happens and I survive it, it will be another hurdle overcome ;) I got past the "first spook" and the "first bolt" OK so I figure the first fall will be OK too.

I also bought an aussie saddle with a horn to start with, but it didn't help that much- I was more secure in my dressage saddle, where I could feel what he was doing. I stayed in physical therapy for a long time (but still have a lot of residual issues with random muscles). I do a lot of exercises at home. A year and 3 months later my riding is better than it was before, although my body and psyche will never be the same. But I love riding, and I refuse to give up.

My trainer was my big weapon in the fight against anxiety. Another good one is xanax ;) And the other person who's been instrumental in my dedication to keeping up with this is Jane Savoie, whose belief in positive thinking has really impacted me. She says "We all have unlimited potential. BELIEVE in yourself! When you believe, you create your own reality." I try to remember that when things get hard!

Good luck to you. Keep us posted on your progress!

[Arcadien]

All the above, plus if it helps, break it down into baby steps - write them down and drum up the courage to do one step at a time, no further - unless totally confident.

I.e.,
Step 1 - Groom horse as if to ride, put away
Step 2 - Groom & tack horse, lead around riding area a couple times put away.
Step 3 - Above plus lead to mounting block, mount, sit a minute petting horse, dismount, put away.
Step 4 - Above plus walk one circle each way, dismount put away.
Step 5 - Ride at walk for 5 mins
Step 6 - Ride at walk for 8 mins
Step 7 - Ride at walk 10 mins, trot once each direction.
etc.

I know it seems pathetically easy and slow, but the other way to look at it, it is a plan that in 1 week will have you confidently doing a short 15 min walk-trot ride, with a plan to move on from there.

Lower your expectations, don't put anymore pressure on yourself to do more than the one planned step for each day, and don't let anyone else pressure you (they won't know what this is like until they are old enough and get broken and have to recover themselves).

I think you'll find your confidence soaring soon, but even after that, expect mini-setbacks, and just go back to the mini-step by step plan when that happens. You'll begin to trust yourself to take care of yourself - important for us older "breakable" riders!

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

Arcadien

[Ambrey]

Arcadien's post made me think of how my trainer helped- he made me work at things, even when it was just walking straight (we did a lot of walk exercises at first). We'd do bending into turns, staying straight and turning on haunches in the corners, etc. etc. His steady stream of instructions kept my brain from freaking out ;)

[Carolinadreamin']

Agree with everyone's great advice. Had two knee surgeries within 3 months. When I finally got back on a horse, I got on the old schoolie mare at our barn who had taught everyone to ride. I felt safe enough. Baby steps as well. Groom one day, tack up another, ride at the walk for a few minutes, etc.

Side note, Ambrey, you must have posted a link to them at some point because to this day I still remember seeing your x-rays after your accident. Ouch, ouch, ouch.

[Sooster]

Arcadien gave some great advice. Just take it slow and at YOUR pace. I had a horse fall on me Aug 2008 which landed me in the hospital for three days and 5 broken bones. We were just trotting and it did a number on my confidence which was already low. When I was ready to ride again after about 6 weeks, I asked to borrow the horse I trusted the most in the barn. I had the owner hand walk me the first time. The owner let me ride her horse for a couple months and I can't tell you how much that helped me. I just went at my own pace. I owe a lot to her and her horse for taking such great care of me.

To give you some encouragement, I am back to riding and feel more confident than before. I challenge that fear now instead of give into it. I don't win the challenge every time. The other advice I would give is get back into shape even if it is just your upper body for now. I feel much more comfortable on a horse when I am fit! Use this time to work with your horse on the ground if he isn't the one you feel comfortable getting on NOW. Hang in there, it will come back. The passion for riding always wins.

[quietann]

Lots of good advice here, and what you're feeling is completely normal. Take things slowly, and if you're really having a hard time with the idea of riding your horse, have someone lead him around at first. Then just have them walk with you without leading him. Walk only, until you feel comfortable with the idea of trotting. And so forth.

I broke my collarbone really badly, and 4 ribs, in a fall in July (not the horse's fault; I fainted.) I was in terrible pain and had very little stamina. However... I visited my mare, and the horse I'd fallen from, as much as I could (I needed someone to drive me to the barn.) Had a friend lead me around on her very gentle Icelandic gelding 4 weeks after the accident, for 5 minutes. Next went to the horse I'd fallen from, had his owner lead me around on him for a week or two before I started riding him independently, and only in safe places, and only with someone right there to help. (I could not dismount without help at the time.) I did nothing but walk until late September. Lastly, I started riding my mare, who can be hot, for her loose-rein walk cool-outs; she was in training at the time thank g-d! She was tired enough by the end of the training sessions that it was highly unlikely she'd freak over anything. I still had someone walk with me the first few times. Here we are a week or two after I started riding her, in early October:

http://annsrats.com/horses/feronia/davidphoto.jpg

And now, when I am riding her four times a week, three of which times are WTC dressage lessons:
http://annsrats.com/horses/feronia/feb2009/shadowtrot2.jpg

It's really all about what feels safe to you -- but do push yourself *just* beyond your comfort zone. E.g. if being led is going well, ask the person doing the leading to let go and walk right next to you. If walking is going well, try a few steps of trot. And so forth.

Good luck!

[TeamBrickman]

Well, unfortunately I went through this 18 months ago (ACL reconstruction) and am going through it again now (shattered ankle).

Neither of my injuries were a result of falling off a horse. You don't say if yours was, but I can imagine the psychology of getting back on might be more challenging if the injury's the result of a fall.

That said, the only other thing I can add to all the terrific advice already given is to consider concentrating on eating healthy and spending some regular time in the gym, as much as your doc and PT will let you.

Regardless of how much you're riding right now, the nutrition and exercise is great for healing your body, and the strength you'll gain from it can only help your confidence on your horse.

[BuddyRoo]

Booze. :lol:

Seriously though...I had a total fluke accident in May of 07 that required plate and screws and lots of PT. Wasn't even riding my own horse at the time. When I finally was cleared to ride, I had no problem getting on my steady eddy mare. But my other mare is a lot more challenging and erm...athletic. And I was pretty stinkin' scared to ride her.

I was out of shape after 3 mos of no riding/barn work which didn't help things. Just didn't feel like I was on my game. Lacked confidence. And the fact that I had tremendous anxiety about it was communicated to the horse who in turn, got anxious and I'd get more tense then she'd get more tense. 'Round and 'round we went.

Two beers before a ride helped a lot. And honestly, that was the only thing that helped. I just had to DO IT ALREADY. And I had to be calm about it.

It's funny. I had myself convinced back then that I just couldn't ride through stuff after having not ridden for 3 mos. Didn't really want to admit it was straight up FEAR of getting hurt again.

But it's gone. Whatever that was is gone. Due to some challenges around here, I hadn't ridden for 4 months--until this week. Threw a leg over the challenging mare and off we went. She pulled some crap but I never got that fear feeling this time.

You'll get through it. Good luck.

((gentle hugs))

[Bitsnpieces]

Hello All - have been an observer of this forum and decided to register because I too suffer from thyroid troubles and have recently broken an ankle after falling off my horse.I sure can identify with you Carey and I find it encouraging that others have responded especially since I am a bit shy.

I am taking levothyroxine twice a day for my thyroid and I also suffer depression and anxiety and sometimes wonder if it is possible that my horse is somehow affected by my illness as he behaves a bit funny sometimes.

I also suffer from panic attacks and now even more since I fell off my horse which resulted in breaking my ankle in November.....but somehow I am blaming myself and for a fleeting moment I even thought of maybe giving up riding........I dont want to sound paranoid because apart from all of this I am really a very capable and mature person.

I would be most grateful also for any advice and thank you all in advance.

[2foals]

Borrow a schoolie to start and ride with a buddy who is calm and confident and knows what's going on. Don't ride to accomplish anything, try to just have fun. Fun is the antithesis of fear!

After my pregnancy (bedrest for three months and then a c-section) I was weak and shaky and some confidence problems from a bad fall off a young horse in the past resurfaced. I'd always gotten my exercise riding, mucking stalls, stacking hay etc., but it has really helped me to break with tradition and get on a regular exercise program--for me running and lifting some weights. Feeling your strength return will help your confidence, too.

[Snapdragon]

I had a fall jumping one of my horses last June--tore cartilage between my sternum and ribs, which hurt a lot, especially when breathing;) I could barely walk, had trouble sitting down and getting up again, couldn't sleep in my bed because I couldn't maneuver myself up and down, etc.

After about 5-6 weeks, I was rarin' to start riding again but found myself strangely apprehensive--I was not expecting to not feel Ok about riding. I was able to work through flat work by myself, but when it came to jumping, I didn't even want to trot over a X-rail.

Two things have helped me. The first was talking to others who had been in the same situation. It helped me to hear their stories of getting back to riding like they used to and how afraid they were. The second was to ride with a trainer who I knew wouldn't coddle me but also who wouldn't be impatient with my fear. After my first lesson with her, she walked up to me and said, "I didn't realize how bad it was." (I"ve ridden with her for about 7 years every winter with various horses, so she knows me and the beasts.)

So, fast forward to now. With help from her, I've got my confidence back. I recommend not trying to work it out on your own but to find someone you trust who can help you through your issues. Don't be afraid to talk about it; it helped me to figure out exactly what my apprehensions were, and everyone I talked with had had a similar experience--from big time riders to ammies.

Also, as soon as you can, start working out. If you feel fit, you'll feel more able to deal with any horsey shenanigans.

[Bluey]

As BudyRoo and about that time, I had also a plate and many screws in my arm and I was afraid to let a horse get close when I was feeding them, in case one bumped on it, first with the provisory cast, then with the standard one, much less try to ride.
I was puzzled, but listened, gave it time and now that all has healed, I don't even remember all that.

Take it a day at the time right now.
One day you will feel confident all over again and surprise yourself.:)

[stryder]

In addition to the other good advice you have already received, Make sure the odds are stacked in your favor when you prepare to ride again. Use your deepest seated saddle, wear sticky pants, put your helmet on, lunge your horse first and ride in a quiet, non-spooky area.

I'm getting over a couple of cracked ribs, so haven't ridden in about 4 weeks. To increase my odds, I have a grab strap and I've just bought a vest (AiroWear Outlyne from here: http://www.amirashop.co.uk/acatalog/AiroWear_-_Outline_Body_Protector.html .
It seems quite comfortable, and I think it will give me confidence. I don't care if people think it's ridiculous overkill. I'm 50+, have osteopenia, and get the yips occasionally.

Good luck.

[crzychestnutrider]

Add another one to the list! Total dislocation of the foot and shift of the two bones in lower leg:eek: X-rays here: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2926844770104793663yURsTY . I hope I did that right:o

I was/am still scared, which I blame on not being able to get on after the fall. Kind of hard when you're in the back of an ambulance. But I can only say finding a "packer" for your first few rides is the best advice. When I returned to riding after this the only horse available was the one who dumped me. You can imagine my anxiety levels! I've sinced moved barns, have a lovely schoolie for my lessons and then during the week I ride my free-lease mare. I've noticed a HUGE improvement in both my riding and my confidence.
Also I find I am more "aware" of possible disasters now:winkgrin: Tonight we are having yet another snowstorm and mare was rather frisky. So instead of riding, I longed her for 20 minutes. Not chickening out but realizing I'm just not quite THERE yet!
It'll come back to you, just take it at your own speed! Best of luck to you!

[Ambrey]

I'll share my x-rays :)

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x182/estarianne/xray-1.jpg

The red circle shows my shattered clavicle. The blue line shows my shattered scapula (shoulderblade). The call this "floating shoulder," as both bones that attach the arm to the rest of your body are broken. I used to get ill just thinking about it ;)

What doesn't show up there are 2 vertebral compression fractures and 3 broken ribs :)

Anyone else have combat photos to share? Somewhere, I also have a photo my old trainer took of me on her cell phone being loaded into the ambulance. At the stable we sometimes compare injuries- we're like a bunch of vets sharing war stories.

[Milocalwinnings]

I had a really bad injury to my ankle after I fell at an event (not the horses fault, I got really light headed and almost passed out). Bone chips broke off and were blocking the joint, they had to be surgically removed. That was in June. Fully Non-weight baring until end of August, but the day after I could walk I was on a horse.
I did no-stirrup, 30 minute lessons on a mare from the barn... she's a lot bigger than my gelding but a lot steadier. Then I moved on to using stirrups, and did walk/trot. The biggest thing is that you need to stop when your body tells you that it's had enough. With me, my ankle would start rolling to the outside and locking up so I'd stop there or drop my stirrups.

Also make sure not to go to fast. I just found out last week that my tendon has been torn since at least November (I had an MRI in November but the tear was missed). Since I was told in November that there was no tear, I continued to ride (with the OS's ok) despite the pain and me thinking something was not right! We don't know if it was torn during the initial injury and not found b/c we concentrated on the bone chips, or if I started riding too soon or rode too hard etc. I guess we'll find out how bad it is when I go in for surgery. Def. planning to take it much slower this time because I don't want to risk tearing it again.

Pics from of the MRI and CT scan, as well as pics from during surgery can be seen here: http://s152.photobucket.com/albums/s176/milocalwinnings/Injury%20Pics%20and%20Scans/


Also, just wanted to add- work closely with your OS and PT to develope a riding timeline. My PT was great for advising me how much riding my ankle could take (no stirrups, or walk only, or trotting, or two point etc....). I saw my PT a few times a week so she could adjust things on a smaller scale and then I saw my OS every 4-6 weeks so he could help me adjust things on a larger scale depending on my ankle developements.

[apcohrs]

After my bad crash, I took lessons on a bomb proof schoolie and just worked on rebuilding my leg and balance and confidence. The instructor (a friend) was mainly there to be a cheerleader and to reassure me that someone could call 911. We rode at the crack of dawn when there was NO barn excitement.

[Transplant]

I tore a knee cartilage in a bike riding accident and had to have surgery. I was on my feet quickly but it took a long time to walk and run normally again. There's a muscle in your inner thigh which is traditionally the weakest muscle in the leg but its the one you use to straigthen your leg when walking and strengthening that muscle is where I spent much of my focus.

The physical therapist really helped; she had me go slow and watch for the strengthening of the muscles around the knee so I knew when to push my knee to the next level.

But its too insanely easy to injure the knee again once you've injured it once. I just did it by wearing high heels so now I'm going back to flats and PT exercises. and needless to say I'm not riding. Riding itself never bothered my knee but I just don't think its a good idea to do anything physical when the joint feels unstable. So I'm chomping at the bit to ride in the nice weather but purposefully staying off a horse until its got the stability that will make me feel comfortable.

[Bitsnpieces]

All I can say is what a great support network everyone here is........

[Chief2]

In separate incidents over a lifetime I have broken my shoulderblade and a few ribs, broke my wrist/hand in 5 places, broken a few toes, and cracked a kneecap. The absolute worst in terms of pain is the kneecap. While the ribs ached if I turned the wrong way or laughed/sneezed, the kneecap pain had me down on the ground, actually seeing through a haze of red and screaming. I can well understand your fear, and it is perfectly warranted.

I spent 12 weeks in a full length leg cast, then several months in PT lifting weights with my legs to strengthn my muscles, both front and side lifts, which helped. Still, it was probably 6 or more months before I felt confident to ride a bike or test the leg. It was too weak after all the inactivity, and I was too scared of stirring up the pain.

Once the PT was done and I was cleared to go swimming, the best strengthening exercise to finish it all off was flutter and butterfly kicking for 15, 30, 45 and then 60 minutes with a kickboard in the swimming pool over a period of several weeks. Breast stroke kicking will not do the job for you, and will probably be hard and painful. I use flutter/fly kick therapy decades later whenever I have to strengthen the legs and knees, and once the strength begins to return, I use Zoomers fins to strengthen the muscles even more. They make a soft fin for recreational swimmers. They work fabulously getting your legs ready for riding.

You might also consider looking into the endurance stirrups, or hinged stirrups for your saddle. That will take a lot of the pressure off. And, after you are back on the trail for hours and are ready to dismount, take both feet out of the stirrups when dismounting and slide gently down the side of the horses, a la English riding style. It will be less twisting and imapct on your knees.

Good luck with your total knee rehab!