As the title of this blog suggests this is my third attempt at riding for the disabled at The Calvert trust, Exmoor.
This time I had a bit of a shaky start when I was hoisted into the saddle, usually Teddy my horse stands like a statue, but for some reason today he was shifting about and tossing his head up and down, had I been able-bodied as before stroke I would have relished this behaviour, today it made me a little uneasy. Kerri my instructor and a new lady that I hadn’t met before reasured me that everything was fine.
Then I realised that my stirrups were too short for my long legs ( this is something that I hadn’t even thought about on previous lessons), once the stirrups were corrected I not only regained my confidence , but sat in the best position I have managed so far since starting disabled riding. On other occasions Kerri has had to stop and remind me, or even help me to get my posture straight, today however she remarked that it was half an hour into my ride and she hadn’t done this at all. This gave me even more confidence, at my last lesson I had begun to learn how to steer my horse now that I was having to ride one handed. I had been practising this at home while sitting in my chair which had attracted some scarastic remarks from my husband.
During this lesson the new instructor upped the anti by asking me to steer Teddy between 2 traffic cones
and then through some jumping poles, which I managed extremely well, if I do say so myself!
I also changed the rein ( changed direction) across the indoor school and asked my horse to halt and walk on again using both my voice and by squeezing with my heels.
During my other 2 lessons the staff had attached a monkey strap to the front of the saddle for me to hold onto giving extra support, but as I didn’t use it last time, this time it wasn’t even there, proving the confidence that everyone had in my ability.
It wasn’t until I was hoisted back into my wheelchair that I realised that my stroke leg hadn’t hurt at all this time! previously after about 20 minutes it had started to ache and continued to ache for about an hour afterwards ( not too badly to stop me want to go, but enough that I was aware of it).
I would once again like to thank the wonderful stable staff at The Calvert trust, Exmoor for all their patience, help and support.
An hours disabled riding at the calvert trust, Exmoor costs £30.
I have wrritten about my horsey adventures before stroke in an e book titled Equestrian dreams which is available to download from Amazon.
As always questions/comments are welcome.
Karen
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Great post- I have no experience riding at all so am really interested in your posts as you explain the process really well for total novices like me! Thanks for writing- #thesatsesh
So very pleased you are doing so well and look really good sitting so straight. Amazing how you have improved so much in such a short time. Really enjoyed reading your blog as usual.
Karen, it’s been so many years since I went riding that I would be quite nervous. It’s wonderful that you are pursuing this post-stroke, not letting your disabilities hold you back from something you love!
What a wonderful experience – I have a friend with Cerebral Palsy who is desperate to go horse riding, so I shall share this post with her! I’m so glad you had such an amazing time and can see so much improvement in your confidence 🙂 Thanks for linking up with #sharethejoylinky
This is just fab! #blogcrush xo
Popping back in from #thesatsesh Bravo!
What a triumphant moment Karen! Felt a rush of “awe” for yout! Please take a bow for your determination, persistence and courage!
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this is fantastic. good for you! #happynow
absolutely fantastic! Well done xx #StayClassyMama
Good for you, this is great! Thanks for joining us at #TriumphantTales, hope to see you again next week. X
I found this really interesting.. I’d love to take the kids when they’re a little older. x #stayclassymama
Great post! I’ve a friend who volunteers as an instructor for riding for the disabled so it was really interesting hearing it from your point of view too. #fortheloveofblog
Absolutely brilliant! Thank you for sharing this amazing experience with us on #ablogginggoodtime 🎉
Well done for regaining your confidence. I haven’t ridden a horse since I was very young but I’d love to give it a try again and still remember the way it felt. It’s an amazing experience.
Thank you for joining #FamilyFunLinky x
So pleased to see your confidence growing, the practice at home must be paying off, never mind what your husband says about it! #MyGloriousGardens
What a huge amount of progress and what a positive session!Ignore your husband, I always find it the best policy! #brillblogposts
How wonderful to have this available near you. Your e-book sounds great, I hop you will get lots of readers. Thanks for linking up with #stayclassymama
I know someone locally who this kind of opportunity has been incredibly important to. Thanks for writing about it.
This looks great and well done for getting stuck into riding. Thanks for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x
What wonderful progress. It is so great to get such a boost.
great your gaining new skills/regaining old skills back in the saddle animal tales
Hello lovely Karen
Thank you for linking to #MyGloriousGardens this month! It’s lovely to see how you are growing in confidence again. I want to thank you for supporting my linky. #MyGlorousGardens is going to hibernate for a few months (to write school reports and sort out Nativity costumes!) but will be back in March. I have a Christmas Linky running this month if you would like to join in, you are always welcome.
Sophie xx
Thanks, I will keep an eye out for that one
This is fabulous and I am so glad you are back in the saddle! I have a friend whose daughter goes to Riding for the Disabled, I think the same one, and they have nothing but good words to say about them. #AnimalTales
What a great opportunity to get to ride when you have a disability. I am struggling with disability at the moment and it hadn’t occurred to me that I would be able to learn to ride. Thank you for the inspiration! #keepingitreal
Hi Karen, how wonderful that there are activities like this for people with disabilities. I can only imagine the feeling of freedom you must get when sitting on the horse and well done for not letting your disability hold you back.
Thank you for linking up with #keepingitreal.
xx