Once again I went to the Calvert trust, Exmoor for my riding lesson. I was hoping to ride around the lake this time but as it was raining heavily I opted to have another session in the indoor school.
Usually when I am hoisted from my wheelchair into the saddle I have a tiny panic until I get myself comfortable on my horse, Teddy a 21 year old piebald (black and white) gelding but now I relaxed almost immediately because I have faith in myself, my mount and my instructors, I guess. I was a little lop-sided this time though and Kerri my instructor had to keep reminding me to sit more central in the saddle. I managed to do a few sitting trots, but not so well as in my previous lesson (something I intend to work on next time).
Once I was taken off the leading rein I managed to weave around some markers on the floor
reining Teddy with my one good hand, I was then instructed to walk him into a circle of markers and bring him to a halt in the middle which we did with ease.
I then continued to walk around the school changing the rein (direction) at various points and then walked two 20 metre circles ( something I used to do at a canter before stroke).
I would like to thank Kerri and the other stable staff at the Calvert trust, Exmoor for all their help in giving me this experience and to Dawn Wotton for escorting me and taking the video and photos.
I would encourage other disabled people to try riding for the disabled as it has done wonders for my balance plus my legs are getting stronger as my stroke affected leg doesn’t ache now while I am in the saddle.
An hours riding lesson at the Calvert trust costs £30 ( great value for money)
As always questions/comments are welcome and please share this post on social media if you feel friends would benefit from reading.
Karen
x
Well done Karen, you are doing so well. We are very proud of you.
Thank you so much babe!http://quakeonthelake.org/
Karen you really are an inspiration with these lessons and I love following your progress through these blog posts. I’m so pleased you are feeling more relaxed more quickly now when you mount the horse. Well done and it’s great that you are feeling the positive benefits of horse riding too. XX #familyfunlinky
Popping back for #thesatsesh. Looking forward to reading more about this adventure. XX
Brilliant activity for you to do, you must feel so happy up there.
Karen what an improvement. I am so glad you feel that this is making a difference to your strength. Thank you for linking up to #pointshoot 📷
Very cool! I haven’t ever heard of this. I’m going to suggest it to my brother-in-law.
Thanks for joining #WanderingWednesday! 🙂
Oh Karen I do admire you for doing these sessions and facing that wobble panic moment when mounting the horse. Can’t be easy. A ride round the lake next time!? Thank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinky
Yes hopefully, there is a lake and woodland next to the centre, so weather permitting that’s the plan x
Well done! It sounds like it’s helping too which is great.
Thanks for linking to #pocolo
This looks a remarkable experience. It makes me want to sign up for a horseriding lesson – horses are such beautiful and calming animals aren’t they.
Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub Karen – keep going!
You are very brave: I have never been near a horse! What fantastic value for money and the team look dedicated. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging this week
Oh wow. That’s incredible! I love your video!!
Wow, that’s such a brilliant way to build up strength and confidence, It’s good to hear how you feel the benefits. I have shared on twitter. #ThatFridayLinky
Bravo! What a wonderful job. We have this service here, in Philly too. Quite a ways back, I volunteered there — but to be frank, I was a bit scared of those very large, yet beautiful animals! You are brave and doing so well! xoxo #Pointshoot
Well done you are doing brilliant Thank you for linking to #Thatfridaylinky please come back next week
Well done you for giving yourself time to get comfortable and enjoying the ride. It sounds like a really great place! Thanks so much for sharing with #Blogstravaganza xx
This is just amazing. I’m sure it brings you much joy and what better than to ride a horse! Such majestic animals. Thanks for linking up to #globalblogging
Sounds like such a wonderful experience, thanks for linking up to #fortheloveofblog
Really well done – a proper Triumphant Tale! Thanks for joining in with #TriumphantTales, hope to see you back again tomorrow.
Wow that sounds like fun, fabulous uplifting post. X #wanderingwednesday
Sounds like your doing fantastic Karen. It’s wonderful that you’ve challenged yourself and it’s clear your confidence is growing. Thanks for joining #dreamteam, hopefully we’ll see you again this week.
Loved watching this! You looked very comfortable in the saddle and it’s obviously something that you enjoy. hope you get to go again soon. Thanks so much for sharing with us at #TweensTeensBeyond
Glad you are still enjoying this Karen. Thanks for linking . #TweensTeensBeyond
Great post – and good for you for giving it a shot. Glad it’s helping.
I love how you are raising awareness of something that is so life-enhancing #HighlightsofHappy
Again, this is a really positive and inspirational post Karen. I hope you continue to progress in the saddle. Thanks for joining us on #adventurecalling. We open for new posts again tomorrow morning.
What great value for money, for a great experience! Thank you so much for linking to #HighlightsofHappy