I have decided to write this post in the hope of inspiring other disabled people to have a try at riding.
As the title suggests this was my fourth attempt at disabled riding at the Calvert trust, Exmoor.
Once again I rode Teddy a 21 year old pie bald (black and white) gelding.
After being hoisted from my wheelchair and onto the saddle as usual it took a few strides for me to feel confident, when I did there was no stopping me.
I began with a few manoeuvres through cones and poles managing to steer my horse by reining with my one hand.
Kerri my instructor felt that I was ready to ride without someone leading my mount and I also felt that I could achieve this. I walked around the indoor school changing the rein ( changing direction) and did a few halts and starting again by using both my voice and squeezing my leg against Teddy’s side to instruct him completely on my own, with Teddy’s help of course
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Next my instructor asked if I was feeling brave, to which I replied that I was without knowing what she had in mind for the pair of us. She said she would like me to attempt a small trot, as I was a regular rider before stroke I knew that trotting is a bouncy gait for the rider but felt that I should at least try.
I was extremely proud of myself (even if I do say so myself!) as I managed really well, when I was able bodied I would rise to the trot but now I mastered a sitting trot.
I left the stables on a high and couldn’t wait to get home to tell all my friends on Facebook what I had achieved.
Kerri has suggested that on my next lesson in a few months time I should go on a hack (outside ride) rather than riding in the indoor school. So weather permitting that is what I intend to do, watch this space to read about how I get on.
I would like to thank the stable staff at the Calvert trust, Exmoor for letting me have this amazing experience and my sister, Kim Watts for being my photographer.
As always questions/comments are welcome.
Karen
x
Karen you are so brave and did so well. It was lovely to see you trotting and you made me so proud . I do hope this blog will help others to follow your example. Amazing !
Thanks mum, it was great that you were able to come and watch! xx
Oh that looks brilliant!! And what a beautiful horse!
I’m hoping we’ll be able to get Penguin back on a horse some time this year. He used to go riding when he was younger, but due to refusing to wear a helmet (a sensory thing, we’ll have to work on it…) he’s not been able to do it for a couple of years now.
I hope you can keep it up, it seem like so much fun!
#thesatsesh
That will be fantastic to get outside a ride a bit more freely, we’ll done, you’ve really come a long way since you got back on a horse #animaltales
Horse riding is something I’ve always thought looks like so much fun but never been brave enough to try. Good on you for getting on with it! #MondayStumble
update from #animaltales how are you getting on with the riding now?
I am gaining more confidence, thanks and am aiming to attempt a rising rather than a sitting trot, if my stroke affected legcan manage it! Thanks for your question x
Good for you for doing this! I wish more were as brave as you! #mondaystumble
Well done Karen> Glad you had such a good time. #GlobalBlogging
Well done for doing this! 🙂 Glad you had such a good time and hope you get to go again
Thats brilliant and well done for getting on and doing this. You must have felt amazing doing it
Karen, I am so impressed with your adventure. I’m not comfortable riding a horse even though I’ve never had a stroke. I can somewhat imagine how good it felt to be riding. After I fell and broke my foot last year, I missed ballroom dancing so much, and it felt so good when I was finally able to do even minimal activity after being sedentary so long. I’m back to dancing now and will never take it for granted again. I pray you continue to expand your activities, you are an inspiration.
How fabulous that you got to trot. What a wonderful moment and thanks so much for sharing it with us on #PointShoot 📸
Love this post and go you! You are moving on bit by bit in such a positive and inspirational way and it will be lovely to get out in the Spring weather too. Have always thought Riding for the Disabled is such a wonderful idea. #TriumphantTales
So pleased that you are gaining in confidence at this and persevering. I look forward to reading about going on ‘the hack’ when you next have a go – how exciting and very inspiring! #thesatsesh xx
I am so proud of you and can see why you are proud of yourself, I am scared of riding horses but look at you!! Let’s hope the weather is great next time and I can not wait to hear how it goes. Thanks for sharing this with #mg Have a fabulous week!
Oh wow amazing well done. So many opportunities to do more. You’ve done something I’ve not done! Never been a horse fan 😂 Thank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinky
What a fantastic place to allow people who may not have a chance otherwise, to ride. Thanks for sharing, and for linking with #coolmumclub
What an achievement, you should be so proud of yourself X
You are a star!Well done.Riding is the most wonderful sport so glad you are making such big strides.Good luck on your forthcoming hack!
That looks amazing! I’m really looking forward to reading a post about your outdoor hack next.
#thatfridaylinky
Bravo momma! And looks like you had fun too! #mg xoxo
Ah this is such a lovely feel good post! You should definitely be proud of yourself! Thank you for linking this up to #DreamTeam!
That is so awesome!!! Back in the saddle again and nothing will stop you! Bravo! #GlobalBlogging
Horses are a form of therapy here in my state. We have a few horse farms that specialize in helping the disabled both physical and with mental health issues to ride a horse. The programs here are wonderful. I am so glad you got to ride. It feels great! I used to ride horses when I was a kid but I haven’t done that in a long time. But I remember what it felt like. I wonderful experience. Good for you:) #DreamTeam
such a fantastic thing to do, and well done for trotting, it is great to see you doing something that makes you so happy. #ablogginggoodtime
Well done you did fantastic Thank you for linking to #Thatfridaylinky please come back next week
Well done, this is brilliant. Very brave of you. Thanks for sharing it with #TriumphantTales. Do come back next week.
What a great thing to do! Well done & Thanks for linking up to #fortheloveofBLOG
Good for you. What a great thing to do #Coolmumclub
Riding is so therapeutic! Well done xx I used to work at an RDA centre it was so satisfying.
#pbe
I have such a lot of time for Riding for the Disabled establishments and I am so glad you are back in the saddle. It must give you such a great feeling of freedom #AnimalTales
Brilliant achievement, look forward to reading about the hack #AnimalTales
I used to ride many, many years ago but I never really conquered my fears and stopped with much relief! Therefore, I’m so impressed with your riding experience. #AnimalTales
What a great experience and accomplishment. You’re such an incredibly positive person with a great outlook and I’m sure this will inspire a lot of people to seek out similar experiences. Thanks for joining us on #adventurecalling. We open for new posts again tomorrow morning.
Brilliant and it must be so good to get back in the saddle. #animaltales