Back to riding after 10 years

[Mariequi]

OK. Rotten right leg is still rotten. But found out a couple years ago that left leg is actually inch and a half shorter, so guess I'll put left stirrup up a hole.

Dublin hasn't had consistent riding last couple of years and is being very patient with me. She's 6, TB/Paint, heartgirth of a shire(!).

I'm worried more about keeping the tack on sufficiently and not bothering her with my imbalance issues. Thought I'd start with trot circles, but now I'm thinking I'll be able to gauge MY straightness and bending issues more on larger circles or straight lines.

Any suggestions are welcome!!

[Brooklyn Born]

No suggestions, but just congratulations to you for coming back to riding and having a great girl to ride! I just posted about the difficulties of my riding lately because of physical issues (including pain down my right leg, and yes, I think my left leg is shorter than my right leg too!). Be patient with yourself! And keep your goals simple (bigger circles are a good start--I'm happy to keep my horse off the fence lately). And love your relationship with your horse. Keep us posted on your progress.

[hellerkm]

In 1991 I was 8.5 mos preg and hit head on by a car. I broke my back and pelvis. I am also 1.5 inches shorter in one leg than the other. I found that the flexible stirrups are my BEST friend!!! they allow me to keep my stirrups set at the same length but they also allow my longer leg to flex more in the ankle and give in my knee so I don't end up crippled when I get off!!! many people dont' like them but after years of riding and getting off to legs that NO LONGER would hold up my body ( I would literally fall on the ground) these have been a godsend to me!!
Good Luck and KUDOS to you for getting back in the saddle! The Dr's told me I would never walk again, but two weeks later I delivered a healthy baby boy with no drugs and WALKED out of the hospital with him in my arms!!!

[Mariequi]

What a glorious story! Thanks - I'll research those stirrups.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Check out a few threads on the Dressage Forum - plenty of ideas there too!

[nightsong]

I don't think you'll be able to do ANY serious work until you (and the tubby, out-of-work HORSE) get muscled AND balanced. The absolute best way to do this (and the serious work, too, by the way) is with worry-free (you KNOW what anxiety does to your mental and physical states) wandering on varied terrain, at varied speeds, with varied experiences.

[Mariequi]

Yes, I well know that. Think I'm worried more about myself. Let her canter on today when she didn't want to just trot. I'd decided ahead of time to do that. Had the ring to ourselves, gate closed. After 3 times around she was fine. I was winded. Later endless canter circles around jumps in smaller circles. She's tubby, but rarely gets tired. Her backer said she should be on the racing circuit. Don't know if that's the 5/8 TB or the endurance/dressage daddy paint. Not looking for horse perfectly on the bit. Looking for mileage at walk, at speed, yes varied terrain, etc. The last thing I am is in a hurry. Thought it best to get started back before the extra coolness gives her more energy. And she's much better balanced than I am. Backer said she gets herself to the jumps well and totally balances herself downhill. I have a lot to live up to to not get in her way. Had hoped for other horses to practice on before her having to put up with me, but it was not to be for these last 3 years for various reasons...

[Hampton Bay]

Have you been to a chiro? Many times the uneven legs are actually due to a crooked pelvis. Might help with some of your issues :)

[Frank B]

There are numerous books and videos of conditioning exercises for riders. Use them!

After I broke my hip, I had balance problems, so bought a conditioning exercise book aimed at (of all things) vaulters. At fifty-eight, naturally some exercises weren't feasable. Using it, and with help from my riding instructor, the problems were whittled down to manageable proportions.

She used my horse for intermediate-level students to keep him in shape.

Good luck!

[Coreene]

Mariequi, I have a set of bendy stirups I am not using. If you think they would make it easier for you when you ride, PM me your adress and you can have them.

[vineyridge]

Congratulations on re-riding. Ten years is a long time. I'm facing the same thing, starting next week, I hope.

Who was your backer? How long was Dublin there and how old was she when she started? I'm facing that also.

[Mariequi]

Yes, HB, podiatrist told me about the inch and a half longer. Chiro didn't believe it until he took "shots" of me. Said slight scoliosis, but mostly just the leg length! Not hips.

V - Joel Embree backed Airdrie Stud horses and other TB farm babies as well as working with some WBs here. Very positive, encouraging to her. Was recommended by the barn manager where I live and by co-worker at work, which was then USDF. He's a saint! V - every day I don't get on I take a baby step backwards. Rained yesterday and this a.m. so just got on and soggily walked. Just feels good. Sending you good vibes.

Coreene - will PM you. You're a saint too!

[DLee]

Yay Marie! And Dublin! :D