I think trusting your instinct or gut is important. If something feels wrong it probably is. Seems like any time i didnt trust my gut that is when i found trouble.

Gosh, I am sorry to hear about your boo-boos!  Glad it was nothing worse, altho I know the darn things hurt right now.  But sounds like you will be mended good as new in awhile.  Yeah, 6 weeks is a long time to not ride; that's what they told me after my shoulder surgery a few years ago.  I did take good care of myself, but I was a couple of weeks short of 6 when I got back on my horse (very briefly!)  But just sitting on my horses' back and being led by my very careful husband made me feel soo good!  I had lots of motivation to behave so I could get back to "real riding".  Glad Briahna is okay; that is always my first thought too, of my horse!  By all means, go helmet shopping!  It's easier to mend limbs than bad head injuries; glad you didn't have one of those!  Take care and let us know how you are doing!  Our thoughts and prayers are still with ya!

Lynda

I think that is such a good point!  Also, listening to  your horse can keep you out of trouble, too!  They can see and hear a lot that we can't.

Lynda

Oooh, I bruised my left rib when I fell - so I can only imagine what a cracked rib feels like.  Hope they gave you pain meds!

On the positive side:  By the time you're ready to ride, spring will be long gone, and along with it the mud and rain, so you're not missing a lot of good riding days anyway.

Keep your spirits up - we'll be here to encourage you!

Yes indeed - we will be thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery!

I just thought I would mention something that has made a big difference to my horses and I wasn't really expecting it.

I have been feeding them a blend of dried herbs called Attitude. It is mainly camomile flowers but I can give anyone who is interested details on the exact blend.  I thought I would try it when my new arab Dakota arrived, to help him through the transition and so that my older (very bossy) Qtr horse accepted him better.  I didn't really expect it would make much difference but when I ran out last week I really noticed that Dakota was much more nervy when I took him out and far more inclined to shy and jump. I am so convinced that I have ordered another pack!

It can't hurt to have our horses more relaxed and give us every advantage - can it?

Judy

Yes, Judy, you are so right; anything that helps our horses to help us is a good thing!  Glad you found something that helps your horses.  It took me awhile but I finally have something that helps one of my "high strung" guys too.  Makes him a much bigger pleasure to ride and work with.  It's a formula from Smart Pak; a reasonable price, natural stuff, and....it does help!  Okay, enough of my commercial!  But I think something that helps our nervous horses relax is not only good for our working relationships with them, but probably healthy for them as well! 

Lynda

Too true! So many days this time of year look sooo promising; I get up and think "Oh yeah!  Today I can ride!"  Then the wind comes up like crazy, or it gets cold, or it rains.  Am STILL looking forward to riding more when Spring gets thru being changeable.  So it is a good time to heal!  I've heard injured ribs are about the most painful thing; hope that is not true for you!!  Take care!  Good riding ahead!

Lynda

I got bucked off when I was 19, and that was how I got Fibromyalgia. I'm in a therapeutic riding program where I learned Centered Riding. I had previously studied hunt seat and western. But started at the center learning a relaxed, and balanced style of riding  which worked better. I learned how to ride in lightness, always balanced, centered. I don't do hunt seat. Now I study Dressage.   

I use meditation, and a technique called EFT where I'm tapping at acupuncture points, and saying affirmative statements. This is used to address fears a lot.  I use it to address any fears I may have about riding.

I used to get scared a lot when I got back into riding at age 48 at the therapeutic riding center. Mostly it involved the thought, or prospect that I was about to fall. Then I would brace, which is even worse thing to do.  At the time I had the sweetest, most caring horse who helped me to get over some of those fears.

I think it is good as an older rider, also a plus sized rider to be in a therapeutic riding center's program because there are no fresh, younger horses who might scare the crap out of me. Every thing is done in a way that the person is matched with a horse, usually older, settled, a schoolmaster who isn't scarey like the things we used to hop on as teenagers. The youngest horse I've ridden there was 12 years old, and a retired hunter.

Good for you!  Centered Riding is great to study and practice.  I should do more with it, but have read the book and worked with it some.  It has helped me to ride more balanced and relaxed, yet aware and ready for "surprises".  It's great for you to have access to such good horses to help you.  Do you have your own schoolmaster type horse?  The older I get and more I ride (and now that I have a fairly "new" horse again) I am appreciating the bond of trust one builds with their horse over time.  I think my new horse and I are doing great, but after riding my last horse for 11 years, I realize how much time together is so valuable.  After 5 months, I am finally beginning to stop thinking in terms of how my mare would have reacted, and pay attention to how my gelding I have now reacts.  They are both Arabs, but very different personalities.  You are so right; bracing is the worst; it throws you off balance, sends fearful signals to your horse, and tenses you up all over.  And.....it is sooo natural to do that!  Lol!  Hope you have a wonderful time in your program and enjoy each ride a bunch!  Keep us up to date on how you are doing!

Lynda

Went to my Dr's for a follow up appointment on Friday.  She says everything is doing as well as expected and no riding for three more weeks (makes it six weeks since my spill).  I go to the stables and get Briahna out and take her down to the round pen for a little exercise.  That's what I get, a little exercise, she just stops when I stop as she has figured out I can't chase her because it hurts to run (doggone smart Arabs)!!  I have to actually bring the lunging whip to get her moving.  It's been years since I've had to do that!  LOL!!!  I'll just sit tight and wait my three weeks, so I can ride not run.

Bought myself a really nice Troxel western helmet, tan suede leather.  Looks nice, fits really well and isn't as uncomfortable as I thought it would be.  Almost everyone else I ride with uses a helmet, so I guess I just joined the club.

I feel like three weeks is a long time, but the way time flies anymore, it will be here before I know it.  At night when I'm sleeping, I dream I'm riding Bri, that's how much I miss it!

It was real warm today, in the high 80's, Santa Ana conditions.  Should cool off to normal 68 degrees by Monday.  Much easier to ride in.

YAY!  GLAD YOU HEAR YOU HAVE A NICE NEW HELMET; SOUNDS REALLY NICE TOO.  I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY THAT SMART HORSES ARE SURELY A MIXED BLESSING!  BUT I STILL PREFER THEM.  HANG IN THERE; 3 WEEKS WILL GO BY QUICK, AND YOU CAN DO IT!  THE WAIT IS ALREADY HALF OVER WITH...PIECE OF CAKE. 

LYNDA

I wish I did have my own schoolmaster right now, but I will have to continue to borrow horses. I do want to own my own schoolmaster some day. He would have to be about 12 years old, I would think so at least I can do well at showes. The Percheron-qh you see in my sig when he retired in 2007, he was about 23 years old.   

I love the Arabian horse for the sensitivity that they show to their owners.

For my past two lessons this year I have ridden an Appy pony. I think tomorrow I will be riding a Percheron-TB.  I maintain a blog about my Dressage training. It's just easier with my symptoms to put all my news about training in this blog.  

http://percheronridersdressagejourney.blogspot.com/

Wow!  I think you are so brave, riding those great big horses!  I rode a friend's warmblood for her while she was out of town, and felt like I was sitting on a small building!  A big difference from an Arab for sure!  Went to your blog and read about Ben; what a wonderful horse!  I hope you have your very own  Ben someday!

There's a great article in this month's Horse Illustrated on exactly this topic!  I just read it, and I can hardly wait to follow through with the suggestions. 

JMFriedman:

There's a great article in this month's Horse Illustrated on exactly this topic!  I just read it, and I can hardly wait to follow through with the suggestions. 

Bev & Briahna