New Therapy

[Sally]

I am tired of sitting around not doing things because my hips hurt. Expecially not going up into the mountains and backpacking with my son. While browsing around on the Internet the other day I found a most wonderful site. It's called Equine Therapy. They take people with all kinds of disabilities from MS to depression and teach them how to ride horses. And they train the horses to work with disabled people. They also make all kinds of modifications to saddles and wagons and have horses that tow wheelchairs. This group of miracle workers live on a ranch that is about 30 minutes from my house!!

I called them just now and talked to a very nice woman who thinks they can help me. The idea is for me to get to the point where I can go horse packing into the mountains with my son, John. He is now hiking the Pacific Crest and the John Muir Trails. 180 miles. I am not looking to do that, but it would be so nice to go into the high country with him for a few days and camp.

I have trouble walking. Weight bearing. I can sit cross-legged on the floor for hours and my hips don't bother me. So, my reasoning is that if I have a horse to carry my weight, I should be able to do it. I will be getting an application form in the mail and then we will make an appointment to try out a horse. Wish me well. I really want to do this.

Oma, for your depression, go ride a horse!! Or do somethinig you have never done in your life before. I used to ride when I was a kid, but I haven't done it in years so why not?

Lots of love,

Sally

[annie oakley]

Sally, I have read about that....and they also use it for children with learning disabilities and illinesses. I myself ride when I can...altho I haven't lately, but I do know that after I ride several times in a row I do have better movememnt and less hurt. You just have to make sure you get a horse that won't take off with you as I did one time. She was called B>C> (stood for Bad child) she eraned it too. Took me on a merry run thru the pine trees. Anyway give it a try...couldn't hurt. I want to ride myself again and may look into asking some nieghbors about riding their horses. I am also going to look into Tae Chi classes. ZHope it works for you. You will enjoy it. Love Oma

[Sally]

Hi, Oma,

Thanks for the encouragement. These horses are specially trained to work with kids and older people with disabilities. I don't think they will run away with me. That happened to me, too, once. The horse ran through the trees trying to get me off his back. It was awful getting whacked in the face with branches. Let's not do that again.

There's nothing like a well-behaved animal to take your mind off your troubles. I hope you try it, too.

Love,

Sally

[starfire]

Sounds like an excellent idea to me. Best of luck to 'ya!!
Oma, I think you should try it again too!!

Shirley

[hazel]

That sounds great. I have arthritis, too. Am waiting on knee replacement surgery. Although I have a lot of pain walking, I am able to ride my bike. We take our bikes on vacation and often ride them in towns where I couldn't cover much ground walking, eg. Chicago. There is great biking along the lakeshore. In Copenhagen you can borrow bikes to ride and then return them when you're finished. Gee, how did I get off on this tangent?

[kate_ce1995]

Sally,

THis sounds wonderful! I always loved riding...had several friends when I was a kid who had horses. Just remember that if the saddle doesn't take away all of the legs going around the horses girth that the first few times you will be sore! It always amazed me how sore I could be after a long trail ride when the horse did all the work. But all it takes is time in the saddle to get those muscles happy again.

When you go to join him, do take lots of pics. Would love to see the backcountry along the Pacific Crest.

Katy