CAN'T WAIT TO START RIDING AGAIN

[Sukie427]

Hi, all, it's Sukie427. Had a very bad flare with balance, cogfog and vision problems. New brain MRIs show no new lesions or inflammation, thank goodness, but I sprained my ankle on the good leg so now I am using a walker. I feel about 110 years old and look like it, too, My husband had a knee replacement last week and now I am taking care of him, but thank good ness he is making great progress. Hope all is well with all of you, I just read an article on NMSS news that several studies have shown how beneficial horseback riding is for MS patients. The doctor who treated my broken L-1 cleared me to ride but then I sprained my ankle. It has gotten beautifully warm here; the flowers and trees are blooming and it is just gorgeous, so I am going to try and get out to bathe my horse and ride him sometime this week. Oh, I so can't wait! It will be the first time riding since October of last year!

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador]

Sorry to hear of the unfortunate times. Hope you are soon back in the saddle! Our weather has also warmed up. Trees full of blooms. Daffodils and Tulips glowing in the sunshine. Spring is such a renewing of all that is good..

[Fancy1959]

Sukie427, hello and welcome back the world horseback riding. It's fancy 1959 and I have been and a horse farm manager, competitive rider, and have trail ridden different areas in parts of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee, and Missouri.

I have torn my right shoulder beyond repair due to all the falls I have taken due to my MS. Therefore I can no longer get myself up on a full size horse. So like. Black Walking Horse catching dust so to speak. Now I ride a walking horse pony who stands about 14.1 hands tall.

Horseback riding from a MS therapy viewpoint is called hippotherapy. It works wonders for strengthening your core, arms, shoulder, and leg muscles. It helps improve balance. And it helps you to become more flexible in your core, your hips, knees, ankles, shoulders, arms, and even your hands grip strength, flexibility, and motor skills.

You I believe, give us our third Hippotherapist in the chat room. Please keep us informed how your therapy progresses as soon as your ankle heals enough to get on. Have you tried using a mounting block to assist you in mounting and dismounting your horse? Even though I ride a pony I still have have to use one due to my bad, useless right shoulder. I hope to be back trail riding my new pony by this summer. I can't wait to hear about your riding experiences. Remember, together we are stronger!5🐎🐴

[Iona60 in reply to Fancy1959]

Fancy1959 I've been looking for a way to get upper body exercise. Horseback riding may just be the thing for me to explore this summer.

[jimeka]

Is that you in the foreground Sukie427? If so you look happy. I hope your back has healed well. Enjoy the ride, I hope that you get back riding regularly 🦋

[Iona60]

Hi Sukie427 . Glad you are feeling well enough to ride again. Horses have always scared me, but after reading the article you referred to, I may try a horseback ride this summer. Any suggestions on what I should tell the people at the stable?

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to Iona60]

Iona60 before you go, call around and make sure that they have programs for beginners. And TELL them that your scared of horse's! Any good program won't have you on a horse the 1st day.☺ And take your time, and relax. You'll have a blast before you know it!

Jes🌠

[Iona60 in reply to Jesmcd2]

Jesmcd2 Don't you just show up for a trail ride? I did that about 15 years ago and they put me on a gentle horse. They gave my daughter the "babysitter" horse. Maybe I can ask for the babysitter horse.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to Iona60]

Depends on how scared you are of horse's. ☺ It's always a good thing to give them a heads up, so they can have the best horse for you.🌠

[Iona60 in reply to Jesmcd2]

Jesmcd2 Great idea. I'll call in advance.

[goatgal]

Sukie427 What a great and inspiring photo! Seeing how you are seated, holding yourself erect...and recalling experiences with trail riding, feeling the horse pick her way down a slope and across the arroyo...makes crystal clear why horse riding is beneficial to those of us with MS. Happy trails to you!

[Jazzyinco]

YAY! Sukie, congrats on goin to ride your pretty boy again, i cannot wait either, I am goin to ask for Physio-2 x's a week, i'm gonna get on a horse again before summer's end!!❤😻😍🐴🐴🐴hee,hee😍---jazzinco

[Sukie427 in reply to Jazzyinco]

Such good news, Jazzy! When it's in your blood it's in your blood, and even Ms can't stop it. You go, girl!