January what a busy start to the year

Hello Julia have you had your hair done??? Neigh  looks Nice...

January has been a bit of a slow month, the weather has been really getting me down and the mud!!! I can’t go anywhere in my wheelchair doing the things I love without getting covered in mud. I’ve had to dig out my over-the-top water proof trousers, to keep me clean, but let’s just say it’s not easy getting these on now!!!  As I mentioned last month I was so pleased to get my classification Grade, and I have been researching the dressage tests that I will have to be able to ride, let’s just say it’s the trot thing that’s concerning me… Ha ha  ha 

 I am still waiting for the hoist to be installed near the arena, As I have said before this will make it so much easier for me and also open up the possibilities for Beth Hobbs to welcome other para riders to her yard and individuals who may have difficulty perhaps mounting their horse to be able to come to her yard for teaching. The possibilities are endless and we are just at the beginning of the journey!! It’s very exciting.

Unfortunately my recent RDA session with Nick Rogers South West para coach was cancelled this month, but hopefully this session will be re scheduled soon, and I will look forward to this! I am trying to work with the instructors at the RDA regarding  them coming out to Beth’s yard to see how me and Flynn are getting on and we are also hoping to take Flynn up to the RDA to have some sessions in the indoor school. (This would be great as having an outdoor arena to ride in does make it difficult at times as it’s been so cold and wet recently, all these ideas are in the pipeline so fingers crossed)

I haven’t been successful in securing a dressage saddle yet, but I am still working within the leg up for talent scheme and am still looking at options that would work for me. The best thing this month is the partnership that is growing between me and Flynn. He defiantly has become a lot more forward with me, and accepting my aids and what I am asking of him, even when I do get a little bit excited with the whip... Bless him; he sort of does a little scurry away underneath me! I do find holding the whip difficult and they still twist in my hands, and I end up waiving them about sometimes. But Flynn has got used to seeing the whips and feeling them on his side, considering he was a bit whip shy before I started riding him he is so good now.

On Monday the 29th Jan it was arranged that Julia Mottram my equine physio would come out to the yard to do a ridden session with me and Flynn again. Well Monday morning didn’t go quite according to plan for me and some days just don’t!! I ended up at the vets with my dog Alfie as over the Weekend he managed to cut his lip/gum and after a weekend of muddy walks and lots of licking, by the time I saw it on Monday it looked pretty gunky! Well he had to have his beard trimmed and he was prodded and poked, he was so good. The area was infected so antibiotics and anti-inflammatories for a week for Alfie. The weather was really horrid and was raining and really windy so after a para team discussion about what we should do, we made an executive decision not to ride, this does disappoint me, as I really look forward to my lessons. It’s the only time every week I get out of the confines of my wheelchair and I feel free. You wouldn’t believe how it makes me feel.

We have been making really good progress with the riding so to keep things on a high; we decided using the hoist in the car park to mount in these winds was not a good idea. The wind may easily blow me in the hoist making it difficult to make a safe landing onto Flynn. Sometimes I forget that we must risk assess the situation before deciding to ride. The rain also doesn’t help.  It has been so cold lately that due to my injury I have been suffering with leg spasms also due to the very poor circulation from my waist down, I feel freezing to touch and my legs and feet are like ice which is not good for my muscles to be so cold. I don’t actually feel cold which is quite weird.  I wonder if thermal leggings/jodhpurs and socks would make me more comfortable??   Roll on the warmer weather that’s what I think...

 Julia asked to see Flynn on the lunge, Good job Beth was around as I haven’t ventured into the arena in my wheelchair! Due to the dip down into it. I would probably tip out my wheelchair at that bit. Not sure I would do well lunging, (but it’s something to think about having a go at??) Beth said Flynn doesn’t really like being lunged and he was quite lazy today. Beth had to get the schooling whip and chase after him!!  Julia wanted to see Flynn walk, trot and canter on both reins so she could watch his movements and assess him. 

For today’s session we normally allocate about 60-90 minutes, so he can be treated and we can talk through what Julia does and why it’s necessary and discuss homework and how we can help improve Flynn’s stiffness and maintain the work Julia does with him .Julia suggests regular physiotherapy, check-ups and treatment can improve the comfort, behaviour and performance of the horse. By having regular maintenance physio it improves muscle balance and symmetry. This is something that is proving to be really important for me due to my balance being poor, I think Flynn looks to help me and this probably compromises his symmetry. Once the initial assessment of Flynn’s movements was done, it was back onto the yard for Julia’s verdict and treatment.  

Julia palpated the muscles and landmarks across Flynn’s spine looking for irregularities and signs of dysfunction. Flynn looked to be showing signs of being stiff on the left side, and all up through his neck.  Julia worked through a combination of physiotherapy, massage and trigger point release. Paying particular attention to the myofascial release.  Myofascial release uses sustained hands on pressure into a fascial restriction for several minutes in one area. Myo means muscles and fascia means the connective tissue of the bones, nerves, organs and muscle’s. This treatment benefits Flynn with any inflammation, muscle and nerve pain he might have, by using the heat from the hands to create change, it can help to reduce inflammation, strengthen and elongate tissues, which will help increase power, strength, endurance and metabolic efficiency.

I think Flynn is starting to enjoy his sessions with Julia. And after a while he looked like he’s falling asleep. After the session we debrief and have been given some homework to do of carrot stretches and work on   schooling with lots of bending. I think Beth will have to school Flynn to get him working and bending, and let’s see if she can get him a little suppler.

 Today my daughters horse Spot was going to start sessions with Julia as well.  Beth was worried that spot’s pelvis could have been out of alignment, as she felt unbalanced under the saddle when she had ridden Spot, but lucky for Spot all was ok, and she too enjoyed a physio session. Spot is 22 so she is allowed to be a little stiff. Stella absolutely adores Spot; Riding has really helped Stella come to terms with my accident and how life changing a spinal injury is. The accident has caused a huge ripple effect with so many family and friends being affected. Being around horses again has helped Stella and me come to terms with me being in a wheelchair. (EAT equine assisted therapy is a treatment that uses equine environment or activities in order to promote physical and emotional growth in people suffering from trauma, anxiety and depression) This environment is helping Stella so much.  

 My daughter Stella is really keen to see what Julia’s Job entails and has arranged a week’s work experience and is really looking forward to this later on in the year.  Julia is very knowledgeable and excellent at what she does. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her. The fact that Julia is trained in human physiotherapy and equine allows her to tailor the requirements to you and your horse and set specific achievable goals. Flynn and I can’t wait till our next session; we have so much to work on. Thanks Julia your amazing. 

Lots of things are progressing on the home front, I have taken delivery of a skip to sort out the last 10years of junk that I don’t need in the house anymore and am sorting things out to keep or throw away. Let’s be honest most things can go into to skip as if I haven’t needed them in the last 2 years I don’t need it!!! I am cleaning out the garage and getting rid of the furniture so we can start the big build in early 2018.

OMG where to start!!!

I am extremely appreciative of every single person who over the last 18 months has helped with some form of fund raising. They have all contributed to making my home a more accessible place and keeping my mental health intact. I have worked so hard at keeping it all together all be it sometimes this has proved rather difficult.  I have been able to tile and paint the en-suite, paint and carpet the hall, stairs and landing, build, decorate and floor an office space, Have an amazing holiday which after 25 years of working for the NHS was extremely necessary, and when you think what we have been through as a family, it’s a small price to pay to be together making new memories.

The help from friends and sponsors who have supported my para riding so far it has been fantastic. This  has provide me with a lorry hoist, hat, air jackets,  SW para training coaching sessions, BD classifications applications, Private consultations for spinal reviews and so many more amazing things to come. I can’t wait for the developments during 2018. Let’s just say when the chips are down you certainly know who your friends are!! So much is happening lately that I am here there and everywhere, and with the help from so many amazing friends there is actually no stopping me. Well I think you would agree January has been pretty busy. So let’s make sure this is the best start to the most amazing year as we go into 2018.

Bring it on!!!           

Wow so much to say

Thank  you all for following my Para Riding dream blog over 2017

It’s about time I bought you all up to speed with what’s been happening since I last blogged about our summer antics. To be honest life has become a bit of a whirl wind and half the time I can’t remember what I have done. I think I am even busier than I was before my accident. I am so happy now with the special team of family and friends that I now choose to surround myself with and this makes for great feelings of emotional wellbeing. When I look at how far I have come I know I would not be here today without them all.   

Well I must tell you this story as this is something thing that I found hysterical, Tony probable doesn’t agree!! We had been out for a meal locally with family and friends, Tony who is also in a wheelchair had already once earlier in the evening been picked off the floor and put back in the chair, but after everyone had gone, obviously we had to have “one fort road” (our family joke ha ha ) Which may actually have been more than one!!.. It was about 03.30 am and Tony got on to the stair lift to go up to bed, he went up half way and stopped!!  Ha aha aha. OMG it’s never stopped before, so I was pressing all the buttons, googling what to do but after about 1 hour I said that’s it. I am calling 999. Fire and RESCUE!!! So at 04.30 the fire brigade turn up, picture this??... 

 I have 4 firemen on the stairs and Tony stuck on the stair lift!! I had sobered up quite quickly now, but due to the absolute chaos I forgot to take some photos!  It did take the fire team about 1 hour to actually get Tony down; the difficulty was there was no room to perform the manoeuvre. Tony went up, over, underneath and eventually back in his chair at the bottom of the stairs.  Well we had to end up sleeping on the sofas, as now no-one could go upstairs as the fireman had the chair lift in bits and it still didn’t work.  After all this I couldn’t find Alfie the dog, but the little bugger he had gone up stairs and got into bed, cosy are you Alfie ??? This night out took me about a week to get over. I haven’t laughed so much for a long time like I did that night.

My general health is great, I feel stronger and I’m building up more stamina each day. I have a really good routine which keeps me outa trouble. Monday is Personal training session with Seona, and the broken babes. Obviously I am the best in the class!!!  I am pushing myself all the time and even crawled across the floor to reach a bottle of prosecco. (Ha ha) I don’t know how I can crawl but I can, it is so hard to stop my hips swinging to each side and over balancing me. Some of the floor work we do is lifting weights, core balance and stretching. We do a lot of work balancing on the swis ball I am getting quite good at balancing independently, and working on trust issues with falling forward and then puling myself up to sitting again, and pelvic tilts. A lot of the exercises we do are working towards getting fitter and strengthening my core all helping to improve my riding position and seat.

On Monday afternoons I have a riding lesson on Super Flynn.  We are now managing a weekly session and have a willing team of Para helpers, Tess, Julie, Jane, Rowena and Beth are the main core of help, as the lorry is quite away from the arena and this means that at the moment we need side walkers, to walk along side and make sure I don’t slip off going up and down into the arena. We are working with my new shaped whips, and liaising with Paul Allison who made them for me regarding help and ideas for the dressage saddle. Flynn has picked up the contact so quickly and he really listens to my voice now and the action of the whip instead of a leg aid. We are doing a lot of transitions, and bending round poles sometimes barrels, turning sharp and turning wide, we work on leg yielding and serpentines. All helping towards building our partnership, it is defiantly getting stronger, I absolutely love Flynn. The pleasure he gives me being around him is better than any drugs you can get from the doctor... when they say the best thing for nerve pain is distraction, they are right. 

 I really look forward to our lesson on Mondays, I have just been lucky enough to receive a grant to fund another hoist arm/mechanism to be put in the arena from the SSIT southern spinal injuries trust. This will be amazing as it will save so much time at the beginning and end of the session. So I will also need less people as I start to improve and ride without side walkers. As they do an amazing job just getting me into the arena safely!! Flynn doesn’t bat an eyelid at the hoist now, so by putting another on in the arena I don’t imagine he will be that bothered about when and where we get on. 

As you can see Mondays are extremely busy, but I love Mondays as I am working towards my para dressage dream.

 Tuesdays and Thursdays are my days at work. I have landed the most amazing job working for a company called Wellspect healthcare. Who make bladder and bowel appliances. Things like catheters and Bowel irrigation systems; this is the most apt job for me. They are all extremely helpful with me wheeling around and they bring me tea all the time. The job is evolving as I’ve probably said before. At the moment I am advising and supporting clients, new to the bladder management and working on the key accounts with TIA (trans-anal irrigation clients). I feel like part of the team and I’ve only been their 3 months. I absolutely love going into work. www.wellspect.co.uk

Wednesdays are supposed to be my rest day! No rest for the wicked, I never get to rest. Wednesdays normally consist of a riding lesson on the simulator at the Avon RDA, we have done lots of work on the simulator and this helps by working my core balance again and strengthening my back. I enjoy these sessions as the RDA is an amazing charity bringing so much joy and therapy to all the riders who use the facilities   recently at the RDA I had a lesson with Nick Rodgers who is a para coach with British Dressage for the south west. This was very enlightening, I was shown some new exercises, and pelvic tilt movements, lots of tips and helpful advice about my saddle that I ride Flynn in and what to be looking for in a new one. I have asked Nick to come to Lone Oak and see Flynn and me and help give us direction; luckily he will come to see how we are getting on, probably in the New Year.

avonridingcentre.org.uk

So when I’m not at the RDA, I normally have to do all my running around like doctor’s appointments, trips to Salisbury and Southmead Hospitals. As I still have ongoing complications due to the injury. Mainly with my bladder, I have seen a specialist and had tests performed and advised that more surgery is probably on the addenda. I don’t want this at the present time, so more oral tablets and Botox injected into my bladder is keeping things settled at the moment.

Recently on one of my busy Wednesdays I have had a business lunch meeting at Tortworth court, a beautiful local hotel, with the chair and event manager for the charity Event Mobility.

 I met Simon last year at Badminton horse trials, as I had a real interest in the charity and the values they stand for, access to all at events! The charity would like me to be a trustee on their board, it’s basically like helping the charity make decisions, have ideas to grow the charity and support the charity where possible. I am looking forward to this challenge and where it will lead as I am extremely passionate about this charity, providing access to events and venues that would normally be out of bounds for a lot of people who can’t walk very far. Perhaps who have long term ailments or recent trauma so watch this space, let’s see what happens.  phcompany.com

 As I am still running a small aesthetics business, Fridays tend to be clinic days, when I work from Aura Retreat beauty and hair salon doing dermal filler and botulinum toxins. This is an enjoyable role. I love working with people who may have some confidence issues with a part of their face and if you can help to improve that area, and help improve someone’s mental health and confidence that’s a great feeling. I also try to do all my admin on a Friday. I have to do lots of blogging, I am  still writing  monthly for your horse magazine, I love doing my blogs as it a way of recording where I am and how far I have come and the bills still keep coming in!! So juggling the none existent money is a challenge… ha ha. If I get time I like to meet up with friends, go out for lunch and generally catch up.auraretreat.co.uk

 Oh I forgot to mention as well as what I do during the day, I also go to the yard 5 evenings a week to watch Stella ride, cook tea, do all the washing, take Harry to work and rugby, but he has starting to get the bus a bit more now, so he’s a little bit more independent than Stella. My weekends consist of, Stella riding, Harry working and rugby, seeing friends and family, shopping and walking my most amazing loyal friend Alfie dog. A few weekend ago I went to Devon to be assessed for my classification for British Dressage, Para equestrian classification is a system for para equestrian sport it’s a graded system based on the degree of physical or visual disability and is handled at the international level by the FEI (Federation Equestrian International)

Para dressage has 5 different classes 1-5, 1 being the class for the most impaired rider, and concentrates on walk teats only. 5 is the class for the least disabled riders who can ride up to PSG (Pre st George) levels and contain complex moves and speed variations. My assessor suggested I would probably be a 2 or 3. I have to wait for clarification from the FEI and haven’t had that yet, as I attended a venue with one classifier. Once I have this I will be so happy to have achieved this within 18 months of being discharged from hospital, this is what I have been working towards, all those application forms being filled in, Drs appointments, private consultants in Oxford, chasing up on every detail, but now it’s all falling into place and I am over the moon.

I am still working very hard on the leg up for talent program. I would like to find some more sponsors/companies who can work with me either to provide something in kind or financial support. I would love to get a saddle company as really need to get a dressage saddle, at the moment I ride in a general purpose  saddle and I need to get  a more secure  seat. If anybody reading this works with a saddle company or knows anybody who would like to help me in any way, please get in touch (haigh.s@hotmail.co.uk). This is my next challenge; it’s so hard to get companies to want to work with you when you are a nobody!!  But it’s now I need the help, I imagine when I am a somebody I will be fighting them off with sticks ha ha ha. legupfortalent.com

I set aside time every day to chase up emails, letters and continue to work with the sponsors I already have. I blog once a week for each sponsor on the leg up for talent program. I enjoy working with the companies and individual that I have supporting me because every one of them are special to me in my current situation. Dolphin mobility is an amazing mobility company. They provide knowledge and all sorts of specialist equipment for individuals who have a need for something that will help improve their life in some way. 

 

    

Beth Hobbs BHS II my amazing instructor supports me and helps me so much with my para ambition. We are improving with my riding and partnership with Flynn and I am trying to help with her advertising and her business. The para teaching is invaluable and a really good string to have in your bow as an instructor. Julia Mottram our equine physio helps to support and treat Flynn and also is able to assist with my position in the saddle; we have had some amazing helpful sessions which I have written blogs about on our sessions as they are really interesting.  I am still working on a few new links and fingers crossed something comes off in the New Year.  I am so close to receiving my clarification of my para dressage grade. What an amazing Christmas present that will be. Roll on 2018 wonder what you have in store for me? 

I would like to thank all my very special family and amazing friends for being there on this journey through 2017. I have personally achieved so much and each week am improving with my strength, determination and reaching my goal.

 

 

 

                      

 

Support so far... A massive thank you!!!

My sponsors and the Leg up for talent program

OMG they are coming!! This means work .....

 As you may know I have been successful on the leg up for talent program, this is a unique and exciting environment where talented riders can exchange ideas, share competition plans, knowledge and experiences and by so doing develop a real understanding of what it takes to succeed in the equestrian sport. By being on the leg up for talent scheme I have been able to benefit from the support of some amazing products and people.

The leg up for talent program is sponsored by Renapur who produce leather cleaner, hi shine and leather balsam, I have been lucky enough to receive these items for use at the yard and around the home, and a great cap for working in. Only problem is that white is not a good colour for wearing at the yard. The products are for cleaning all the leather wear, tack, saddles and I also keep a pot at home for doing the boots,

A 200ml pot of renapur leather balsam should protect 500 pairs of shoes, 50 leather jackets or saddles 20 leather sofas, plus loads of other items, depending what your area of interest is you can use it on loads of items for cleaning and protecting leather. If you look on the web site apparently there are 101 different ways in which you can use your renapur products. renapur.com

The other items that  renasan produce are natural antiseptic for animals, Renasan kills 99.9999% of harmful micro-organisms in less than a minute, its completely safe to humans, animals and the environment. It comes in 100mls, 250mls, and 500mls handy for carrying in you’re grooming kit or handbag. Perfect for flushing wounds and preventing infection. renasan.co.uk  Both these items are really helpful and I really appreciate the donations from the sponsor Renapur.

 

I have mentioned one of my other sponsors quite a few times before, Dolphin Mobility. dolphinlifts.co.uk I first heard about dolphin mobility from another para rider Jane Lishman. She had a hoist on her lorry as a way of mounting her horse, Once id seen this I knew it was only going to time before I got back in the saddle. Christian from Dolphin first came out to see us at the yard in February 2017 to discuss the hoist and costs, and we were fund raising hard to make this happen. I was lucky enough to get a local grant from Downend round table and my local riding club, and this covered the cost so it was full steam ahead. By March we had the hoist and in April I had my first sit back in the saddle just 18 months after my accident.

Dolphin now work with me as one of my sponsors, I do weekly blogs, about the product ranges they sell and advice that they give about all sorts of equipment, We are again working with the team at Dolphin closely as I have secured a charitable grant from the SSIT (southern spinal injuries trust) to fund the second hoist in the arena. As we have the handi move sling we can just adapt the sling and charger to use on either arm, enabling me to mount safely in the arena and also out at venues that perhaps don’t have facilities to mount the horse, when I attend training days etc. Dolphin are a great company and very apt for my situation. I am extremely lucky to have them working with me. 

 

 

I have a syndicate of very special people who contribute a sum of money towards my para journey; this money is used for some lessons and some equipment that is needed. I am tremendously grateful to my supporters as without this financial contribution, it would be very hard for me, to afford the lessons at the RDA on a regular basis. I had a lovely Charles Owen Charlotte Dujardin Navy blue hat bought for me by Pat and Gordon Butters, who are long standing family friends. I love this new hat; it’s so comfortable and safe to wear, I am so lucky to have been able to have this donated by Pat and Gordon. The Severn vale riding club, raised some money towards the hoist and also it was enough to buy an air jacket. Thanks to them for this...

Beth Hobbs and I did a talk to VHPRC which is a veteran riding club, for members with older horses; this was an extremely enjoyable evening, where I met some lovely members, who have now become part of the para team too. The VHPRC donated us £100 on the night, which I am particularly grateful. This was able to buy some bespoke dressage whips, which are shaped and sit over your leg in a much better position than a normal schooling whip. These were made by Paul Allison at PA saddlery, Paul is qualified saddler and BHSA1 and has made these bespoke whips really nicely, the whips are so important  for training Flynn as these are acting as my legs. I am getting use to using them, but it is taking some doing!! paul@pasaddlery.co.uk

 berkshire-focus.co.uk

 

My Trainer, owner of the most amazing horse and special friend is Beth Hobbs. Beth is now working with me on the leg up for talent program too as she is very supportive to my dream of riding para dressage. Beth owns and runs an extremely successful business. Loan oak training and schooling. She works extremely hard, training, giving lessons, competing her own horses and running the livery yard. All this is supported by her team and special family. I blog for Beth to raise the profile of her business and do this once a week on the leg up for talent social media marketing and also on my personal  blog and my blog at your horse Magazine. Which I do every month.  We are working together to come up with ways that will benefit the business and help Beth achieve her goals.

Beth crash test dummy, first time Flynn saw the hoist

 

I am now being sponsored by Julia Mottram, Equine and human physiotherapist, this is a private arrangement and not on the leg up for talent program.  I have blogged about Julia before, both me and Flynn has been lucky enough to have Julia work with us. She is able to treat Flynn with physio which he will benefit from by helping him become more flexible and strengthen his muscles, and also treat me and my position in the saddle. By working with us both closely we can work on training hard, on and off the horse, to achieve the desired effect in the saddle. I have attended the gym for Personal training sessions and stand in the stand frame and do weights and stretches, all working towards the end result. Achieving the dream of riding para dressage. keystonephysiotherapy.co.uk

I am still actively looking for more sponsors; I am really focused on marketing the products and working with the companies so we each benefit from the leg up for talent program. If you’re looking for some marketing for a business that you have whether is big or small, get in touch Via Face book messenger at Sallyanne Louise Haigh. I have a few things in the pipeline but need to pull it all together and this can take some organising… legupfortalent.com

 

 

Super Flynn and the Physio.

Julia Mottram Equine Physiotherapist

Second visit to meet me and Flynn

Beth warming up super Flynn

On Monday the 9^th October Flynn and I were excited about our second meeting with Julia as it was going to be our first ridden assessment.  We have been doing our home work from last month which was carrot stretches. Flynn says ”I’m good at this bending for carrot game”. We met at the yard at 1.30 and today we were lucky with the weather as the sun was shining. First of all Beth rode Flynn for 20 minutes to warm him up and Julia watched him strut his stuff with his Mummy.  Whatever Beth rides she always makes them look amazing, but today Flynn looked like he had been at an all-inclusive buffet!!  We did laugh as he made his way around the arena with Beth shouting... OMG Flynn you defiantly need to get Millered, which means she’s on his case, diet and more exercise. Oh dear poor Flynn.

I am listening Honest !!! 

We were able to see from the ground that the saddle slipped to the right side, this is something Beth knows about and we are waiting for her saddle fitter to come back from holiday so we can start discussing/looking at something more suitable for me and Flynn.

Prior to actually getting into the saddle Julia notices that I collapse my right shoulder and use my right arm to fix with, so Julia had already said this will probably transfer to when I’m in the saddle   to the right, This is a habit I have got into when relaxing as I seem to sit sideways and lean on the right back rest of the wheelchair. (It’s comfortable!! ha ha but I need to stop it!! Oh dear Flynn don’t think you’re the only one in trouble)

Julia put some tape across my back in the shape of a large cross and some on the middle of the saddle, and then she watched me walk round the arena. Julia assessed my sitting posture with and without stirrups and with the use of the tape it was clear to see how my posture changed. To start with my right shoulder was dropping and the saddle was slipping to the right, with some small adjustments and advice I was able to sit straighter. By assessing this it is clear to Julia that I need to work on my lateral stability, to keep my right shoulder from dropping and give me stability in the saddle. It also showed that the saddle does need some attention from a qualified saddler to stop it slipping to the right. 

We worked on 20 meter circles and also some serpentines and did lots of transitions from stand to walk and walk to stand. Then I had to put the reins into one hand and do arm exercises to help with balance and strengthening of my core, and use the arena mirrors to check my position in the saddle at all times. This is all extremely hard for me and quite exhausting at this stage. I need to build up my stamina and by riding more frequently this will improve. Julia says it’s like her and Beth riding not being able to feel the saddle under your bum and your feet in the stirrups. Imagine that!! Well we have some homework to work on, when on the ground after Flynn has been ridden more carrot stretches, encouraging bending and stretching to help with suppleness and balance is good for Flynn and when I am riding I have to try and do the arm exercises and core work, without stirrups which will help me to strengthen my core and help with my balance and try and stop me falling to the right.

Julia also has been extremely helpful with an application to the SSIT charity; we are working towards raising some money for a hoist to be fitted in the arena. This will enable me to ride more frequently and not to need so many people to walk by the side or be around. It would make it a lot easier, so fingers crossed we get our application granted. Both Flynn and I are looking forward to our next session, which will be a ridden assessment for me first, then a treatment for Flynn. As always I must thank Flynn’s Owner Beth Hobbs for all her support and guidance and thanks to Julia for working with us!!

#paradressage#dressageconnie#incrediblejourney#spinalcordinjury

 

 

 

keystonephysiotherapy.co.uk