Oh just Fibro off!

So, I was so fed up last week, as lots of you saw particularly about losing my horse because of these silly tired muscles. I caught a train down to Warwickshire to see my best friend, and aided by some good people, some boxes, and with lots of grunting and through gritted teeth, I wriggled up into the saddle of a one eyed pensioner and went for a little plod around the lanes. Now granted, I'm paying for it today, I can't get out of bed, let alone walk, but I needed it so much. This is the best thing I've seen in a very long time. What made you smile this weekend?

[Ginsing]

How wonderful for you"! there is nothing like it is there! I havent managed to be astride for many years but I can still shut my eyes and feel my horse and hear him and smell him so glorious. Thanks for reminding me xgins

[Mdaisy]

Hello Lipbalmaddict,

We've all done it, pushed ourselves but then paid for it, me included. We advocate pacing but personally sometimes, just sometimes you need to do this to feel better and lift your spirits! Glad you enjoyed your time, seems it was worth it to see your horse and ride again.

Keep this hope alive as you may with a combined approach be able to ride a little more in the future! Think of this long road ahead you may not be galloping but slowly trotting may be the way forward !

Emma

FibroAction Administrator

[Ginsing]

Definitely a case for pacing yourself not galloping away into the sunset. gins

[TheAuthor]

Hi lipbalmaddict

I feel over the moon for you. It sounds like it took a lot out of you but it also sounded well worth it!

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[Hidden in reply to TheAuthor]

Thanks Ken, it did feel pretty amazing! X

[agtf1]

Well done! I've been learning to ride side saddle (used to ride loads before Fibro struck & no way I could ride astride now). I find side saddle is much more gentle and doesn't put strain on my hips & pelvis. As can hardly walk now, the freedom of riding a horse is fantastic.

I hope u can continue to enjoy some gentle rides (all be it at a cost - but then anything we enjoys seems to cost us!) xxx

[Ginsing in reply to agtf1]

How amazing all ways wanted to side saddle! Quite an accomplishment I was banned from horses when I broke and chipped couple vertebrae in my neck .! Hey Ho Happy riding to you xgins

[Hidden in reply to Ginsing]

Oh no! Poor you gins! I'd go insane if I was banned from riding, that must be so hard. I'm sorry xxx

[Hidden]

Oh boy, am I suffering now! And it was painful as hell at the time but I just had to do it. I thought the horse would go easy on me, as if she'd sense I was frail (she isn't mine, mine belongs to a college now), but she remembered me as being someone who used to ride and jump her so decided to recapture her youth in that same 30 minutes. I only rode her because a 7 year old child had been learning to ride on her and she'd behaved like an angel. No such luck, lots of star jumps, and cantering sideways and leaping around at road signs. Fun though. Now I really need to stop the devil in me from ignoring the 'pacing' rule, and flinging myself over a few show jumps next time. I can only describe the urge since Saturday as being akin to being locked in a room with a bar of chocolate for 3 days.....argh! X

[Ginsing]

LOL Bless you sounds as if you really are suffering. Hope it is easier today. xgins

[Hidden]

Hi there that must have been amazing

I've never been into horses but to do something that you've been yearning to do is fantastic

I agree about the pacing, both Emma and gins say some lovely things about keeping your hopes alive too, don't give up faith

I know you're in a lot of pain and discomfort but can I ask if you enjoyed it?

................and I'm sending you some extra soft healing & relaxing fluffies to help ease the pain and discomfort

xxxsianxxx

[Ginsing in reply to Hidden]

We must never ever give up the dreams they are what keep us all motivated and yearning for more :)xgins

[Mrs_Somerset]

That sounds amazing,

How very brave of you to do it - it must have been so liberating and uplifting - good on you!

M

[Fibrofoggiest]

Golly wow, how I missed this I don't know but well done you, I too have had to give up rising and have many friends who say " oh have a go on so and so - he never puts a foot wrong, completely bombproof" Luckily 99% of the time good sense kicks in and I don't. On the odd, very odd occasion that I have given in to my yearning I don't know what it is but I think either the way we sit, or our connection through the mouth, they think "hey up we've got someone who knows what's what here" and proceed to show how fire breathing monsters are leaping out of the hedges, up out of the manhole covers (that's a good one :o) etc., and ping pong sproing off we go and like you I end up in agony. I then store that event in my head for the next urge, hoping it will keep the yearning at bay. I've only had one time in the over 30 years since having to give up (oh I took up driving Shetlands to start with as I couldn't do away with the horse all together, but that still wasn't great and when a friend's point decided to rear in the shafts and I went out of the back door, that was the end of the driving ) that I really really enjoyed and wasn't too badly effected was when my goddaughter came up towards my cottage on a new horse and it looked just like my old Kismet, Lyric had such a kind eye, I asked Olivia to hop off and she said, "but Doodah (name she's always called me) you're not allowed to ride and I said, just watch "oh do be careful she's our new three day event horse". Well, I clambered on and as Olivia had instructed me only walked off up the bridlepath into the field, where I then kicked into a gentle trot, extended and then into a gathered canter back to where Olivia was standing completely open mouthed "oh Doodah you really CAN ride". How sweet those words sounded after her 18 years of being told I couldn't ride because..... Yes, I'd did hurt, yes, but oh was it worth it,....YES even for that very short time in the saddle

I hope that you begin to feel better very soon from the ride, but even more I hope that you can adjust to the not having a horse and all that goes with it. It's hard, I know from experience, but I hope very much that it gets easier for you as each day goes by !

I'm sending lots of positive healing vibes your way

Foggy x

[Hidden]

Thanks Foggy, I'm sending them to you too, there really is no feeling like it is there? It's like breathing to me. For me it's the jumping, and gosh my girl could jump. I can still just move my seat that tiny fraction as I sit here that made her strike off from walk in this rhythmical, serene canter that just made me feel so happy. I've never ridden a horse like her, she was so genuine and kind but she LOVED to jump, I really didn't have to work very hard at all, she made it so easy. I miss that, the partnership. It's like losing part of yourself. But, I guess we are lucky because at least we have the memories, and they are flippin' special! X

[Fibrofoggiest in reply to Hidden]

It's incredible isn't it when you form such a union with a horse, you can almost predict their move before they make it can't you? I'm afraid I was always rather a wimp when it came to jumping, I'd had an accident when I was very young, over a large log in some woodland round our house, and that put me off. I preferred to remain in contact with tera firma so you can laugh at me

I loved dressage and watch avidly now with the rise of Charlotte du Jardin, golly wow, I wonder when Carl Hester first took her on whether he knew she would outshine him the way she has, I don't think so, but it must have been a rather hard pill to swallow. Her link with the horse is incredible, her hands so light and yet impeccable, one day I would love to see her perform !!

You're absolutely right, our memories are so special

Foggy x

[Hidden in reply to Fibrofoggiest]

Apparently, he knew that Valegro was super special as a youngster, (my friend saw him compete as a four year old and said he was incredible), but - and this is why I love Carl Hester - he put Charlotte on him and just saw magic, something in her style that I guess he felt suited the horse better then he did, and knew he'd be short-changing Valegro if he took the ride for himself. Now how many riders would do that??! I don't thing anyone underestimates how much work he has put into making them that brilliant through his training too so maybe that is satisfaction enough for him? I'm not sure I'd be so noble haha!

I never laugh at those who don't jump, I don't dressage because I have a hot seat when I'm nervous and have owned a string of loony mares who's attempt at dressage involved humiliating me, and jumping the boards. I would love to be that graceful...x

[Fibrofoggiest in reply to Hidden]

Hehehe, you made me laugh when you said about having a hot seat, I was always told when I was young that I had an electric seat, which could lead to problems, winding unsuspecting horses up

I agree about Valegro! I first saw Charlotte perform in Hamburg (on the television) and score a perfect 10 and was completely mesmerised, I've always liked Carl and as you said, how many people would have given the ride on such a talented youngster ? Great acumen to him ! Can you remind me the name of his horse which he has retired, beginning with U......my fibro fog is very thick today

Hehe I love it about your loony mares, don't tell me they were chestnut too ?

Foggy x

[Hidden in reply to Fibrofoggiest]

Uthopia was his Olympic horse? Amazing boy! He's just retired Leibling too, the one that eats bananas

How did you guess about the chestnuts haha....my last little treasure even had the white legs too. She would jump even when there wasn't a jump there. I'd go horse shopping, and I'd ride the grey, travel miles to the bay, but it was always the chestnuts that had that extra ping that made me laugh out loud while test driving. For all her craziness, she could be good too, I once broke my ankle while I was grooming her (yes grooming - Fibro dizzy spell prior to diagnosis and I lost my balance) - but I didn't know it was broken, and we were due to compete, along with my friend and the one eyed pensioner, and I was the trailer chauffeur, so I gritted my teeth, loaded up and drove to the show. My friend bullied me into the saddle (she has never forgiven herself for thinking I was whining) and in we went. First couple of jumps were a bit shaky and lacking in finesse, by the end I was green, sweating, and holding on to the buckle end for dear life. Apparently we jumped clear, I have no memory, but as we left the ring, the steward turned us round and with a smack on my horses bottom told me to jump again as the timer had stopped working for the timed section. I think I started crying, but Fern took the bit and started again. She really did do it all herself, I don't even know how I was still on her back at the end, I just shut my eyes, (as I think did most people watching). We came 3rd :), I fainted when I got off, and got an X-ray. What a horse! Lol! X

[Fibrofoggiest in reply to Hidden]

Hehehe, I thought everyone knew that chestnut mares are the ones who have a few screws missing hehehe,there are exceptions of course, but the majority I've met have lived up to that reputation, but do tell me if I'm wrong

[Hidden in reply to Fibrofoggiest]

Ha! You are quite right, they are bonkers and also have a sick sense of humour. The type that will happily leave you face down in the dirt and go off laughing to their friends about their silly human who thought they were the boss. And no, I've never met an exception, other than the broken ankle incident (which I think may have been down to glory hunting rather than protecting her human). I'm a glutton for punishment xx

[carriagegirl]

Why don't you take up carriage driving, you'll love it.

[Fibrofoggiest in reply to carriagegirl]

I did for a time, I used to do the concourse d'elegance at Windsor Horse Show, then we would go for a drive round Windsor Great Park, such fun

I take it from your name that you are also into it, how long have you been enjoying it? If you don't mind me asking ?

Foggy x

[carriagegirl in reply to Fibrofoggiest]

I took it up following a motorbike accident and could no longer ride. I started off with a lovely Shetland. I also drove round Windsor Great Park, it was great didn't have to pay for a permit, just had a letter from the park warden. Also did the Windsor Park sponsored drives for a few years

[Hidden in reply to carriagegirl]

I'd love to, I can only dream about horsey things now, because I've had to give up work (I have other conditions in addition to Fibro that have just taken their toll) and ESA just doesn't cover the costs that's why my mare had to go. Maybe if I can get a handle on things and find a less demanding job? What do you drive? Xx

[carriagegirl in reply to Hidden]

A coloured cob, she's lovely, keeps me sane

[Hidden in reply to carriagegirl]

I'm sorry about your accident. How wonderful you discovered driving though. The one eye'd pensioner is a 3 hour journey from here, and my own mare, who I go and cuddle occasionally but it tends to make me cry too much is a couple of hours away too. I'm thinking I need to adopt a nearby pony to pat and stuff with carrots. What's your cob called? God I love horses! I can't imagine a world without them x

[carriagegirl in reply to Hidden]

My mare is called Sîyan and I have her daughter Sheraqui. Don't know what I'd do without my horses, they give so much and help me through life's ups and downs. Get a couple of donkeys, they're great

[Fibrofoggiest]

Myself - normally mad hehehe Seriously though, I used to drive Shetlands at first and then graduated to a 13.2

I then decided to move down here to Devon and the narrow lanes and the thought of trying to reverse along a carriage and potentially causing problems with traffic didn't actually sit well with me. So I put the out on loan with a view to perhaps having them back if I found things to be different, but I didn't, if anything it was worse, so the ponies stayed in Surrey and lived good lives.

Foggy x

[carriagegirl in reply to Fibrofoggiest]

Ooh, I never back up for motorists, their reverse gears are better than mine, besides it's quite hilarious watching many of them trying to reverse their cars. However did they pass a driving test?

[Hidden]

Haha! Gosh, it never occurred to me about reversing! Do people make you do that?? X

[Fibrofoggiest in reply to Hidden]

Oh yes, for certain!! In a car I am one of the best and quickest reverses I know of, I am almost going backwards before I've stopped moving forward :o. Definitely would be able to manage the narrow lanes round here in a horse and carriage !!!

[fenbadger in reply to Fibrofoggiest]

You would hope they could drive in such a way that reversing is unnecessary, though equines can be unpredictable and can kick TWICE THEIR OWN LENGTH. When I drove buses in the country I'd also turn off the engine. Simples

I've spent half the night trying to remember what I was going to post. This has just reminded me. I looker at some New Forest ponies for my local Wildlife Trust (cows too) It's hard trying not to make friends with them.

[Hidden in reply to fenbadger]

Wow Fenbadger, that sounds amazing! I want that job! I'd never leave them alone though, or get anything else done.

If only everyone was as considerate as you when it came to driving near horses. And yes, it doesn't even need to be about looking out for the horse and rider (god forbid the old 'road tax' argument raise it's ugly head lol ) do these people really not think through the consequences of a 667kg (my horse's weight) creature sitting on their bonnet/windscreen? It isn't rocket science is it? As you say, simples...xx

[Fibrofoggiest in reply to Hidden]

I have, on the odd occasion when someone wound me up too too much, had to point out to them that in law a horse has precedence over a car .....a law going back a long long way which has never been repealed hehe

[fenbadger in reply to Fibrofoggiest]

And as a bus driver I was allowed to spend a penny on the front nearside wheel of the bus as I wasn't allowed to leave my horse unattended! Applies to milkmen too

[fenbadger in reply to Hidden]

It's very rewarding and actually not too strenuous at the moment. I get the road tax argument on my bike too. Don't we all pay our taxes? Income, VAT, oh and council tax to the authority which maintains rights of way. . .

Even accidentally animals can do lots of damage. I know a guy who was in a lane and stopped for milking cows. £2000 damage, just because they're clumsy. Fortunately the farmer's insurance covered it and all was settled amicably. And the damage a deer or pheasant can do . . .

[Hidden in reply to fenbadger]

Exactly! Anti-cyclists are bafoons! Along with the horse haters of course. Not only did I pay all of my taxes, but a rather hefty premium to ensure that if my horse did sit on a car, even if it was the fault of someone with road rage, they would be exceptionally well compensated. The only damage I had to pay for was when an unlicensed dirt-bike was revved up her behind with a backfiring exhaust so that she tap danced across someone's immaculate garden. Even then, the dear old man just asked for a bag of decent soil and a few daffodil bulbs to plug the enormous holes that were left in his manicured turf x

[fenbadger in reply to Hidden]

Bless. . and hehehehe x

[Hidden]

*snorts*! Haha! I think tea just flew out of my nose! X

[fenbadger in reply to Hidden]

Horses do that, don't they, but without the tea. Great fist sized lumps of . . .: