Since my accident, I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve been asked whether I plan to ride again.
Of course, none of the people who’ve asked me are horse people. To them, the answer is obvious. Why would a freak accident and a couple of fractures keep me from doing something I love? That’s like saying you’d stop driving after an accident. Or stop walking on the sidewalk because you slipped on the ice.
The love of horses doesn’t just develop over time. We’re born with it. We are the kids who play with Breyer horses. The ones who read every horse book we can get our hands on. The ones who set up jumps in our backyard or our living room and either jump them ourselves, or make our dogs jump them. (My dog was a real athlete. Not only did he jump courses, he also pulled a cart).
Horses are more than just livestock to us. They are our therapists, our friends. We tell them what bothers us and they listen without complaint. On the days when you need a pick me up, spending time at the barn almost always a guarantee of leaving with a smile on your face. Even my family appreciates it when I come home relaxed and happy after a ride.
Our relationship with our horses is a partnership. Together we go on adventures and get our Adrenalin pulsing through our veins. There’s nothing like a good gallop after hounds, the amble through a spring meadow, or the feeling of flying that comes when you and your horse clear a big jump. Whee! There is a freedom when you ride that just can’t be duplicated by any other sport.
There is a feeling of accomplishment with riding, and the knowledge that no matter how long you’ve ridden there is always more to learn. Our relationship with horses can last a lifetime and never get old.
The genesis of this question, I know, is fear. They want me to stop riding because they are afraid I might get hurt again. The fact that I wasn’t doing anything particularly risky (from a horseback riding perspective) only makes it worse. If something bad can happen when you are trotting in a ring and hit a slippery spot, what could happen when you’re out foxhunting? My argument is that since I started riding (at age 2), I’ve managed to avoid serious injury until now. And I’m hoping that I managed to get all my injuries over with in one fell swoop.
Certainly, I will be careful. I’ve always thought that I’m careful but I’ll be extra vigilant. But, will I stop riding now? Absolutely not.
What about you? Have you had experiences that have made you question whether you will keep riding?
First, I really hope you dealt with ALL your lifetime horse-related injuries in that freak accident. That wasn’t a double whammy, it was a triple or quadruple whammy and you have collected enough karma points to never be hurt seriously again.
Second, the people asking you this question must really never have been with horses. I can’t imagine not riding because of an accident (and I fell off more times than I can remember, in sometimes dicey situations). I stopped riding, not because of anything happening to me, but because I don’t want to burden the horse. I got a bit too fat and I would need to ride a Shire to feel I wasn’t squashing the poor thing. The other reason … and that may be TMI … when you’re fat AND were busty before, you get enormous breasts. Last time I was riding, I was wearing 3 sports bras and still there was uncomfortable jiggling … So until I manage to get in better shape, the horses are safe from me.
But I still crave horse contact. Whenever I have the chance, I go visit a friends horse, groom him, cuddle up to him and just enjoy his serene company. Next best thing to actually riding.
Yes, I’ll at least try to ride again. I did the same thing with my weight. I had an Arab who was getting on in years and I was just too heavy to ride him. I got another horse after losing some weight then took a bad spill, breaking a vertebra in my lower spine. I used to feel I could ride anything but after that spill and another one only a few months later I lost my courage and was afraid to ride my green OTTB. I didn’t fall off of him but he spooked like crazy and I was scared to fall again. So, now my back is so bad I’d only be able to walk but I plan to ride again soon.
The first horse I ride will probably not be one of my two. I’m worried that they will too full of themselves. I’m planning to ask a friend if I can get on her horse first. Smaller and safer!
I am enjoying just being with my horses now. Of course, since I’m there to feed them, they always look happy to see me.
I think most horse people would ask instead “WHEN are you going to ride again?” I know when I’ve had to take time off I’m anxious to get back on, usually to the detriment of my healing. So take care, find a good horse, and get back on as soon as you can!
Yes, my riding friends had no doubts.