Dressage lesson

[Barbteeth]

Hi ladies

As some of you know I’m a passionate horse rider and have been struggling to ride due to back pain from a vertebral fracture and many bone mets

Anyway I booked a dressage lesson this afternoon with my old instructor..not had a lesson for over a year and I was nervous

However Bugsy behaved himself and I was pleased with how I rode..not sat on my dressage saddle for so long but after five minutes or so I relaxed a bit...although we didn’t do a lot as Bugsy needs to build up his muscles..I almost felt like the old me..really boosted my confidence and morale

Barb xx

[nstonerocks]

YEY Barb!

[Barbteeth]

It’s what I call ‘proper’ riding..difficult to do but I’m so pleased I had a try

Barb xx

[Francesca10]

I am happy for you. I believe every time we do something we are passionate about helps heal us in many ways💕your garden looks wonderful. I miss having a garden- just don’t have energy to do it anymore.

Love

Frances

[Barbteeth in reply to Francesca10]

Well I don’t garden at all..my other half is keen so that suits me

Shame you get tired and miss your garden...we sometimes just have to accept we can’t do things we want but it’s hard...I assume I won’t be able to do some stuff at some point and it’s very disheartening to even contemplate...live for the moment and do what’s possible

I get days when I feel tired but others I’m full of energy so I take it as it comes

All the best

Barb XX

[Hidden]

Hi Barb,

It sounds like you had a great time with Bugsy! I'm so pleased to hear that. When we do things that bring us joy that can give us such an amazing boost!

Sophie ❤

[Barbteeth in reply to Hidden]

So true

Mind you..my shoulders and thighs are stiff..it’s the different saddle!!!

Had a bath with Epsom salts in it so hope helps

Barb xx

[Hidden in reply to Barbteeth]

I hope the Epsom salts help you, Barb. I add them to my bath every day, along with essential oils. I find it so relaxing. Frankincense and lavender are two of my favourites.

Sophie ❤

[Rotagirl]

That sounds great, so happy for you, Fay

[obeautifulgirl]

What’s that old song...”The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh ...”? Bugsy was up for the job! Probably was so glad to have you back on his back!

[Barbteeth in reply to obeautifulgirl]

I’ve been riding him out in the woods and round roads but this was different and I’d lost my confidence a bit ...I think when Bugsy saw our instructor he must have thought’oh no this means I have to do some work and be disciplined ‘

He did seem to enjoy...they don’t forget their training

Barb xx

[friesianfan]

So happy to read this post, Barb! Glad that Bugsy was a gentleman. Hope you will be headed down that centerline again soon! Sounds like that will be good for you...and Bugsy!

Dave

[Barbteeth in reply to friesianfan]

Hi

Yes it was just getting over the confidence thing...thought I’d be hurting this morning but actually no worse than usual...in fact I hacked out with some chums this morning and felt ok ish!!.. did a lot of trotting which I find easier on my back than canter

I’m planning on more lessons and maybe (!) compete again...will see..I have nothing to prove but it would be nice

How’s your other half..back on board?.. it is therapy!

All the best

But xx

[friesianfan in reply to Barbteeth]

Wow, two days in a row--that's a good trend! Keep it up! My "other half" is now on this site as well! On the good news side, she is doing great on the Ibrance/Letrozole combo. On the bad news side, and being a dentist, you know what this means...in the past month, she has become one of the 1 or 2% who get OsteoNecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) from her Zometa infusions... so it is a bit of a downer, even though everything else is going pretty well...

[friesianfan in reply to friesianfan]

But also on the good news side, today was the Kentucky Derby in the US, and also the 20th birthday of our first horse, Bella! i will try to post a photo or two, but not positive it will work.

[Barbteeth in reply to friesianfan]

Hi there

So sorry to hear about the osteonecrosis...extremely unlucky for that to happen... but great that the drug combo is working...hopefully for a long time

I hope you’re giving Bella a party!!

All the best

Barb xx

[hdhonda]

Post a picture of Bugsy. Blessings Hannah

[Barbteeth in reply to hdhonda]

Will do

[hdhonda in reply to Barbteeth]

Beautiful horse. You make a great team. Hannah

[PJBinMI]

I'd call it very formal riding--the epitome of riding with an English saddle! Very different than riding with a Western saddle! Only time I ever tried to ride with an English saddle, when I was about 12, I had a really difficult time with balance. I had no trouble with a western saddle.

[Barbteeth in reply to PJBinMI]

I’ve never ridden western...I guess those saddles are designed for riding all day on the ranch and are comfortable

Yes English saddles come in all different styles depending which discipline you do..show jumping dressage hunting whatever..

In response to your other post...most of my pain is in the shoulder blade area of my back and I’ve tried various supports...I found a t shirt which has tough elastic cross crossed across the upper back and I think it helps but I’ll sweat in the summer with that...found it from an advertisement in an equestrian magazine

Barb xx

[PJBinMI]

Has anybody suggested a back brace for you? Not a big elaborate thing, more like a very very wide belt with extra support. You can get them without an Rx at medical supply places, like the kind of place you would go to buy a walker or support hose. I had lower back issues long before MBC and I have mets in the vertebrae right where I've had issues. Have had two back surgeries and the only back related problem I have now, besides restrictions on lifting, is that my sciatic nerve is damaged and I have minimal feeling in my legs and feet! I think if I tried riding with your tack, I would fly off the horse head first the first time it moved any faster than a walk! lol Good for you for getting back in the saddle! A great metaphor as well as great in reality!

[NPmary]

That's great, so happy for you, Barb.

[Barbteeth in reply to NPmary]

Oh thank you Mary

Barb xx

[Hidden]

This makes me smile as I know how much this means to you ❤️

[Barbteeth in reply to Hidden]

Oh thank you Sarcie

Barb xx