Horsy help?

Question

I need help. On August 31st, I fell off my horse (she panicked and started to gallop off into the dark... and I know it wasn't smart to be riding her at night, so... ) and broke my wrist, got a concussion, and was hospitalized for like 6 days. Doctor's orders: no riding till at least summer vacation, cuz otherwise it might happen again and I could re-break my wrist or have another concussion.
Nobody in my family dares to ride her anymore, and my pony (I wrote about him before) is still unbroken. She needs to be ridden/rode A TON more than we used to still, and nobody can (will).
We can't afford to get somebody to ride her for us, and my friends are a little queasy about the thought of being the first to ride her again.
Help?

Answer 1

"Doctor's orders: no riding till at least summer vacation, cuz otherwise it might happen again and I could re-break my wrist or have another concussion. "

No matter what it can happen again. Whether it be right after or years down the road. You are ALWAYS opt for injuries when owning a horse. Injuries come with horse ownership. I say to the girls I give lessons to, either suck it up and learn from it or get off the horse and not be true riders. It's either, ride or don't ride. None of this fear stuff.

2 months after I got my mare when I was 11, she reared up on me, slip and feel directly on top of me. 1,100 pounds worth. Broke: 2 left ribs, 2 cracks, later found a 3 in my pelvic, spinal injury, colasp lung, which I got brochicitis (sp?) very badly. I was told to not ride until I healed (6 months) and very lightly. 2 months later, I cried but I rode and I kept riding because its either all or nothing. I didn't further injury myself because I was careful how I rode, rode with others around (my mom was abit furious at first lol) and I took it a step at a time until I could advance to loping with out it hurting (she is a fast horse: barrel/race track breeding).

I have had injuries since then. Skin and fingers tore/broke, being knocked out cold infront of judges, bit a few times by other people's horses, kicked, stomp, trampled. Each time I got up, dusted my self off and got back on. Once you do that, with right safety direction, you will not have that fear and you will develop a riding style to be better each time you get back on.

Your family is scared and I see you are too. I recommend to get some training on yourself and the horse. Search around and ask for deals (work/clean stalls to decrease $$, that is what I did all those years. What would of been $500 a month turned into only $150 max a month as I worked it all off and I got lots of good recommendations for other people for when I switch trainers etc)

If you can't afford someone to ride and train them, then either 1) Horse won't get any better and injuries will keep repeating as the problem isn't taken care of 2) horse should be sold to someone who can work with them and ride them.

Answer 2

Work with her from the ground. Teach er to lead every where, to stand for the vet and farrier, teach her to lunge, etc. Don't stuff her full of grain unless you can't find enough good hay or pasture, and give her maximum turnout. (horse in a big field will walk 10 to 20 MILES every day, just wandering around) Provided you work with her, it won't hurt to not *ride* until summer vacation. On the Contrary, she will be extra ready by then.

And your right to listen to your doctor. If you get another concussion before the first is long gone, you can get whats called second impact syndrome, and sufer permanent brain damage.

Answer 3

PLEASE READ MAY HELP YOU !first you should see if he still trusts you, that kind of acindent can permently damage a horse mentaly feed him and groom him and lead him when you think he is trustable try and get an experianced rider (if you live in dallas i will do it for you im me) and get them to first ride them bare back with a bareback pad with stirrups and ride slowly do not canter i repeat do not canter that could scare the horse and the incedint could happen again.once hes ridible you should get on bareback with pad and have somone lead the horse around and if the horse shies even a little it could take more time you also junge him abit and maybe over some jumps if you have any but do no use just somthing in your backyard.hope i helped GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR HORSE GOD BLESS!

Answer 4

I would lounge her and exercise her on the ground if you cant find someone to ride her. Keep looking for some one to ride her. You can email me, if your in my area I would be willing to do it. I am very experienced and believe in the gentle way of training a horse. I am not a trainer but I have been riding horses sense I was seven and own two right now. Good Luck!
[e-mail]

Answer 5

do groundwork. you need your confidence back and she needs to be safer. look into natural horsemanship. you can do so much and not get bored or hurt with horses on the ground. really, i haven't ridden for 1 year, and i don't miss it since i've started natural horsemanship.

go the yahoo group parellinaturally if you want more information. or go to www.parelli.com . it's a bit pricey, but you spend money on it once and you're set. or just go to a bookstore and buy a good natural horsemanship book. pat parelli wrote the best one that i know of, but clinton anderson has written a few also.

i promise you, you will see HUGE results and by summer time, riding your horse will be 100 times safer for both of you. get to know her better with all the relax time ahead of you.

good luck!

Answer 6

To keep her excercised start slowly from the beginning to build your and the pony's confidence. Lunge her until you can ride and really get her to be responsive to commands and see your incharge. Don't be afraid of her. Make sure she is outside atleast a few hours a day and decrease her food since if she isn't working hard she won't need it.

Answer 7

you could try just doing ground work. Which i'm sure you did before you got hurt, but it's the only connection you could keep with her. there are so many things you can try with out riding her, it's just a matter of doing everything possible and improvising. It doesn't compare to riding but you'll have to be creative. I wish you luck!

Answer 8

Have you ever lunged a horse? If not get someone to show you and lunge your horse on a regualr basis.
This will not only give her exercise, but will help you continue her education. You can get her jumping on the lunge as well.
Once you have learnt how, you can start on your pony as well

Answer 9

keep looking some people would love the opportunity to ride for free. Just make sure they know what they're doing and you have good insurance :)

Answer 10

First try walking her on a lead ALOT and put a saddle on her . maybe put a little weight on her and MAYBE if you feel ALOT better ask the doctor to take the cast off a little early