Post by silvermaneuk on Feb 29, 2012 13:07:25 GMT 1
Hi guys I am disabled. I have had horses on and off since I was 9 years old and then in 2007 I became very ill with pneumonia which damaged my brain (balance and memory). I became quite bedridden for some time and I went on to develope ME/Fibromyalgia as well as my neuro problems.
I came back in to riding as a therapy and because my physio said it would be good for my balance.
My one problem always being that any horse I rode was already trained, and so I was having to ride them, the way they were trained, and for my disability I need to be able to ride incredibly lightly. Hardly any hand or leg, as too much muscle use, literally cripples me.
So I volunteered at a small stud for a year, so I could learn how youngsters are in their herd, and work with them, with mum and in th e herd, and also learn more about having babies. It was incredibly rewarding, to first gain the trust of the mother, and then the baby, and also the herd itself.
I was able through that to buy two youngsters, one at 2 months and one when he was 4 months old. There's actually only 1 day between them, but they were in different herds and so I worked with them on different occasions. I had the pleasure of handling them both from a young age, one I nursed back from a severe leg injury and they are both 'my boys' I adore them, I was able to wean them, with mum.
Their both 2 years old this May 24th/25th. One is a Morgan cross New Forest (to make 14 2) and the other is a TB cross Irish Cob (to make 16h).
My TB cross is a little sensitive he was traumatised by his injury, and had to have 12 weeks of intense bandaging, and physio therapy in an attempt to save him, as the owner wanted to pts. I knew he was going to be beautiful and so we stuck with it. He has a blemish where his injury is, but has full flex, and the vet thinks he is going to be an awesome boy. He is a little bit shy round his head, as the previous owner punched him in the face, when he bit him in fear, but I know he really trusts me. When he is really scared he looks to me, and puts his head in my chest, and all I have to do is talk to him, and he calms right down. He has accepted having a roller on, and I have done some inhand work with him, walk, stand, trot. Lots of touching, moving, weight, leaning over him (right off the bat I did this). I seem to be able to throw most things at him, he shows initial nerves but I just keep reintroducing things to him, and let him come to me. He aims to please, and he is curious. He already stands at 15 2 so he is a big boy, but learns very quickly and concidering his traumatic start to life he is awesome.
My Morgan cross is a cheeky monkey, he is gorgeous in everyway, he used to let me lie with him in the field, I used to lie on the floor with my arm over him lol. I have achieved join up with him from a very young age (6 months), he has always seen me as kind of his mum. Follows me everywhere, loves cuddles and kisses and learns very quickly. Very affectionate young man. I can throw anything at him, I just show it to him first, and he just accepts it. He has had a saddle on him (just placed to see what he thought - I have an old treeless saddle for this), roller, he was more interested in his hay lol
So their both coming up to 2 years, and so I will be bringing their handling/training up a notch, and so I have bought dually halters fro them both. A friend of mine has been on courses with Kelly and so she gave me some lessons in long lining (I have done long lining but not with a dually). I loved using it, found it much easier to use.
My only problem is that long lining sets off my balance problems. It makes me spin out really badly. I am trying to concentrate on the horse and spinning like crazy, if I look above the horse it helps, but then i'm not focussed. So has any one got idea's what I can do about this?
Also I was wondering what type of bit to use, up to now they have mouthed rope etc and will accept things n their mouths, no problem, but I keep getting very conflicting advice on this, I know everyone is different, but I want all their experiences to be positive.
Also when it comes to breaking them, I am just not sure what to do, with my disability they need to be very very light in every aspect. I have to keep my muscle use at an extreme minimum, and so they will also need to be very bombproof... I know I can expose them to most things myself, and so I can do a lot of work myself, but I cant have a horse terrified of every little thing, and bombing off with me on board, as I have little muscle strentgh because of my illness.
I want to be involved. I am very close to them, and so if possible I want to be involved in their breaking. I can back them myself, and could probably break them, but I dont have the knowledge I feel to do it in such a specialised way. A few ppl have suggested western to me, as they thought it might be easier on my muscles, but I really dont know, and this is one of the decisions I am struggling with so would love idea's or thoughts about this.
Also I havent got reams of money to do it either. I have them, because if it wasnt for my boys, I would be bedridden, and they give me what I need to keep positive about my illness, and I dont want to end up back in bed.
They gave me my life back, and although I have limitations, I want to give them the best I can with what I have. So I hope you can see that and help me. Just advice or suggestions would be greatfully received.
Sorry its an essay *sheepish grin*
I came back in to riding as a therapy and because my physio said it would be good for my balance.
My one problem always being that any horse I rode was already trained, and so I was having to ride them, the way they were trained, and for my disability I need to be able to ride incredibly lightly. Hardly any hand or leg, as too much muscle use, literally cripples me.
So I volunteered at a small stud for a year, so I could learn how youngsters are in their herd, and work with them, with mum and in th e herd, and also learn more about having babies. It was incredibly rewarding, to first gain the trust of the mother, and then the baby, and also the herd itself.
I was able through that to buy two youngsters, one at 2 months and one when he was 4 months old. There's actually only 1 day between them, but they were in different herds and so I worked with them on different occasions. I had the pleasure of handling them both from a young age, one I nursed back from a severe leg injury and they are both 'my boys' I adore them, I was able to wean them, with mum.
Their both 2 years old this May 24th/25th. One is a Morgan cross New Forest (to make 14 2) and the other is a TB cross Irish Cob (to make 16h).
My TB cross is a little sensitive he was traumatised by his injury, and had to have 12 weeks of intense bandaging, and physio therapy in an attempt to save him, as the owner wanted to pts. I knew he was going to be beautiful and so we stuck with it. He has a blemish where his injury is, but has full flex, and the vet thinks he is going to be an awesome boy. He is a little bit shy round his head, as the previous owner punched him in the face, when he bit him in fear, but I know he really trusts me. When he is really scared he looks to me, and puts his head in my chest, and all I have to do is talk to him, and he calms right down. He has accepted having a roller on, and I have done some inhand work with him, walk, stand, trot. Lots of touching, moving, weight, leaning over him (right off the bat I did this). I seem to be able to throw most things at him, he shows initial nerves but I just keep reintroducing things to him, and let him come to me. He aims to please, and he is curious. He already stands at 15 2 so he is a big boy, but learns very quickly and concidering his traumatic start to life he is awesome.
My Morgan cross is a cheeky monkey, he is gorgeous in everyway, he used to let me lie with him in the field, I used to lie on the floor with my arm over him lol. I have achieved join up with him from a very young age (6 months), he has always seen me as kind of his mum. Follows me everywhere, loves cuddles and kisses and learns very quickly. Very affectionate young man. I can throw anything at him, I just show it to him first, and he just accepts it. He has had a saddle on him (just placed to see what he thought - I have an old treeless saddle for this), roller, he was more interested in his hay lol
So their both coming up to 2 years, and so I will be bringing their handling/training up a notch, and so I have bought dually halters fro them both. A friend of mine has been on courses with Kelly and so she gave me some lessons in long lining (I have done long lining but not with a dually). I loved using it, found it much easier to use.
My only problem is that long lining sets off my balance problems. It makes me spin out really badly. I am trying to concentrate on the horse and spinning like crazy, if I look above the horse it helps, but then i'm not focussed. So has any one got idea's what I can do about this?
Also I was wondering what type of bit to use, up to now they have mouthed rope etc and will accept things n their mouths, no problem, but I keep getting very conflicting advice on this, I know everyone is different, but I want all their experiences to be positive.
Also when it comes to breaking them, I am just not sure what to do, with my disability they need to be very very light in every aspect. I have to keep my muscle use at an extreme minimum, and so they will also need to be very bombproof... I know I can expose them to most things myself, and so I can do a lot of work myself, but I cant have a horse terrified of every little thing, and bombing off with me on board, as I have little muscle strentgh because of my illness.
I want to be involved. I am very close to them, and so if possible I want to be involved in their breaking. I can back them myself, and could probably break them, but I dont have the knowledge I feel to do it in such a specialised way. A few ppl have suggested western to me, as they thought it might be easier on my muscles, but I really dont know, and this is one of the decisions I am struggling with so would love idea's or thoughts about this.
Also I havent got reams of money to do it either. I have them, because if it wasnt for my boys, I would be bedridden, and they give me what I need to keep positive about my illness, and I dont want to end up back in bed.
They gave me my life back, and although I have limitations, I want to give them the best I can with what I have. So I hope you can see that and help me. Just advice or suggestions would be greatfully received.
Sorry its an essay *sheepish grin*
I have fibro and me too so I understand a little of the balance and muscle issues. Not sure whereabouts you are, but an RA might be able to help you start them and begin the process of training them in the way you'll need them to be ridden. Western also sounds like a great idea as it's about lightness. 
