Ideas from those who know please :)?

Question

I don't need the 'what happened' questions.....

But I have a gal in our trailriding club that was involved in a car wreck and is a quadrapalegic. *if you don't know what that is, please dont answer*

She went from trailriding to a electric chair, moving it with her mouth

She is wanting to of course get back into horses and all of us are racking our brains with ideas.

Of course driving is the only solution, she can't drive, it would be with a person at all times.

However, the wheelchair and her combined weighs 600lbs. Her wheelchair cost as much as my truck.

So for her to run up on a wagon, the suspension needs to be tremendous as to not raise the front up.

Does anyone know of any websites, contacts, advice for her family that they can check into wagons for this purpose?

I can find the teams, not a problem, but the wagon is.

Thanks to all the ones that are decent to answer ;)

Sorry, leaving the wheelchair isn't an option, she has to stay in it, or a bed.

Thanks tho, sorry i forgot to add that.

Fae-while I understand where your coming from, shes a 40 yr old woman, who doesn't want to fantisize on a video.

This can be a reality, with enough minds that have been through this before it can be done.

I'm not looking for Horwse or video game answers. honestly.......

Answer 1

my husband builds utility trailers for a living he said the axels would have to be moved back farther on the back to keep the front down BUT it would be harder for the horses to pull

i found this web site maybe it will help it has a number at the bottom
http://www.pahealthsystems.com/message484700.html

this web site ahs some info and a picture of a carriage
http://www.strathornfarm.co.uk/driving_for_disabled.html

http://www.usdfd.org/drivinghelp.htm this might help too

http://www.usdfd.org/

some good pictures of the carriages http://www.usdfd.org/carriages.htm

hope ive helped a lil
http://www.narha.org/Driving/Driving_ListServe.asp

Answer 2

I volunteer for a theraputic riding stable, and at an expo we went to there was another stable there doing a driving demonstration and they had two really neat wagons, they were both driven by someone in a wheel chair.
One was a 4 seater, one a 2 seater and in both the front was big enough for a wheel chair, and had little clamps that kept it from rolling. It had four really big wheels (that came out on the sides, not under the wagon, so it was still close to the ground) so the whole wagon was supported. The part you walked on was strait and level, but there was an added peice of wood added to the bottom that was thinner in the front so there was more weight in back, which made it even out with the wheel chair. It also wasn't too much weight that it flipped back when no one was on the wagon.
The wagon was custom made, and it was a little heavier, but was pulled easily by two drafts. One team was a Clyd x Belgian and a Shire x Belgian, and the other was two Shire x Clydes.

Sorry I don't have a picture or website, but I hope my description helped. =]

Answer 3

anyway you can maybe rig up an old hay wagon with a ramp off the back that folds up (or an electric lift like on delivery trucks or wheel chair vans) & then you'd have the entire flat bed of the wagon that you could make a secure wheelchair holding area in. I would look at some of the vans made for wheelchair transport & see how they lock the chairs into place in the van; maybe the company that makes them could make something for her? It wouldn't be a lightweight wagon but I'm sure it would work & be easily pulled by a single draft or a team of horses...good luck!

Answer 4

Hey Mule! So sorry to hear about your friend. Goes to show bad things happen to good people:( I don't think I'll ever understand that. Anyway back to your question. Does she already have the wagon? If not and yall are looking for one, there is an amish community near me located in uthrie KY, They ahve a tack store and make all kinds os specialty items including wagons, carts... etc etc. I'm sure they can come up with some solution to the problem yall have encountered weight wise. They are genuises out there. If yall already ahve a wagon let me know. I have friends in mechanics and engeineering professions that I'm sure could come up with a solution.

Answer 5

Is leaving the wheel chair an option? Would there be a way to make arrangements in a wagon for the things that she needs without the chair that would support her? If not, what about modifying a boat trailer or a utility trailer? Those are meant to carry heavy loads.

Answer 6

One of my former students who is in a wheelchair (I think it was also from a wreck) may be able to help. She worked some with horses for handicaps.

Come to think of it that is an idea. Try to call them or do a web search for the group. It is a pretty large group (at least I think it is).

Anyway when classes start this January I will be seeing her again. I could ask her for you. I do not remember her name or would call her up. Let me e-mail someone else though and they may be able to get in touch with her.

Answer 7

Mulereiner - I am a certified NARHA instructor and although I don't drive there is a section of NARHA dedicated to driving. I have always wanted to learn to drive and plan on taking my racehorse trainer on his offer to teach me with the harness trotters in the spring.

Please check out this site - the wagons and carriages are rated as wheel chair "friendly" or not.

http://www.narha.org/Driving/CarriageList.asp

and the home page may help with local experts and other information. Other people have figured this out and can help you!

Answer 8

I'd use pick-up frames for wagons...they have great rear suspension and then you can add the box on with a detachable or slide ramp. Little bit of welding and you have your wagon that won't pop up in the front when she gets on with her wheel chair.

Answer 9

You know what, I'd almost go to a carriage builder and have them do it special order so you get something stable enough.

My friend had the Amish build her a custom cart and they made it right to order, just what she needed.

Might I also suggest a mini- service horse instead?? They can do some fantastic things now! :)

Answer 10

IF she wants to ride the horse with no assistance, then it may not be a realistic desire, but I have seen folks ride horses with assistance. I am sure she wants to feel the horse under her, whether that means in her mind or to physically feel the horse.
Why can she not be given lots of assistance to be able to sit upon a horse, and be lead around?

I am sure that she realizes that riding a horse will never be the same again, but their is a HUGE difference between driving and riding.