Back to Work

Late last week, Mary headed to Wellington, Florida for five days to attend the USDF Young Rider Graduate Program. That meant that for the first time since my accident in December, I would take over management responsibility of Cadence Farm. On Thursday, I was a little nervous about doing the work, handling the horses and teaching lessons. Well, I did it! By the end of the day, I was a little muscle sore, but happy to back involved with the horses.

I've been working now for four days, and it's great. I feel that the barn is getting back to it's normal rhythm, the horses seem happy and so am I!

Learning to push the limits through pain.

As I recover from my horse accident and focus on physical therapy (PT) to regain strength and stamina, I'm realizing the correlation my own exercises and those of dressage horses. Sounds intuitive, but I think until you've personally been through an injury, it's difficult to imagine how much it takes from your body and then how much it takes to recover! My dad (he had a doctorate in sports medicine) once said to me, "As soon as you stop daily exercise, you begin to loose muscle." Scary thought!

What I've learned so far is, once given the doctor's OK to do PT, I the needed to retrain my brain to work certain muscles that have been "disturbed" through surgery. My biggest challenge so far has been climbing stairs. The brain "says", don't climb that stair, it will hurt. And yes, my muscles do hurt climbing stairs, but I'm doing it anyways. After about a week of slowly climbing stairs, I've had to push myself to climb them with a normal stride. Not easy, but I'm getting stronger!

I've also learned that's it's actual good to get a little muscle burn, as that means deeper muscles are getting worked. But burning muscles also require at least 30 seconds of rest before the next set of exercises are started. Finally, at the end of the session, ice the injured muscles for at least 10 minutes. It really works in the healing process!

What does this mean for riding? Well, go ahead and challenge the horse in a more difficult exercise, he may struggle, just help him through it. Give him a short walk break between movements and finally cold hose his legs after every workout. It really will make a difference.

Working Hard!

I just finished my first week of physical therapy and I'm making real progress! I can now climb stairs unassisted and today I walked a mile! It's interesting working with a PT coach, as it very similar to riding: start with lots of stretching, look in the mirror and work on straightness, practice balance and take short breaks between exercises.

I continue to coach Mary on my horses and those of my students and I enjoy teaching. Life is OK.

Have a Plan, Stick with the Plan!

As a long time and experienced dressage rider, trainer and competitor, combined with managing a small private training facility, I have worked with many individuals who don’t seem to understand the importance of having a plan, no matter how simple it might need to be. Whatever a rider’s personal goals, horse ownership requires a major time and financial commitment along with responsibility. Therefore, having a plan is of the utmost importance.

Making a Plan

I believe that most riders’ intentions are good. They buy a horse, find a trainer and facility and usually dream of someday having their own small barn. Great, but make sure there’s a plan behind it so that the dream comes true. First, regarding the horse, make sure that you discuss with the facility’s barn manger and trainer exactly what your expectations are as far as turn-out, feed schedules, blanketing, ring time and lesson schedules. Know the stable’s fee schedule and rules so that your plan works within the environment. A successful plan works with cooperation with all parties involved in your riding life. Make sure you have a one-on-one discussion with your trainer regarding your goals and aspirations, including how often you plan to ride and take lessons. Ask your trainer’s opinion about your horse’s general state of fitness, conformation and weight. Listen to your trainer’s suggestions, perhaps your horse needs more work or training than you think.

All horses, no matter how athletic, need an exercise plan to remain fit and healthy, reducing the chance of injury. Manage your time schedule so that your horse is ridden at least three times a week, including a hack. If you plan to compete, your horse should be worked at least five days a week. Time your rides and adjust it to meet and then improve your horse and your fitness level. And finally, be consistent in your work and training. If you can’t ride for period of time, ask your trainer to take over or perhaps a working student if cost is an issue. Or, give your horse time off, accepting that he’s going to loose fitness and strength.

Dream Barn

It seems that most horse owners eventually want to build their own barn and care for their horse at home. Wonderful, just make sure you plan ahead. It’s not only building the barn you’ve dreamed of, it’s also having the safe turn-out, manure disposal, insurance, good arena footing, access to trails and a network of horse friends and professional that can help you out when in need of barn coverage or an emergency. Often times farriers, tooth floaters or even trainers don’t want to travel to a barn to service one or two horses. Try to “piggy back “ their service at a near-by stable. That’s when networking and a good plan can really work. Maybe, when you think it all through, you might have second thoughts on having your horse at home; as it may not be cost effective or you find you prefer the company a working stable provides.

Follow the Plan

Whatever you decide, devising a plan needn’t be laborious, it just requires you thinking about what you really want to do with your horse, discussing it with others, setting goals, rechecking them and then sticking with it.

Happy riding!

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Oh no!

On December 7, I had an accident with a horse, where by he literally ran me over as I brought him in from his paddock. I had stopped to chat with my husband and the horse got excited and took off, running into me at a canter and carrying me about ten feet until I was thrown to the pavement resulting in a fracture to my left hip. One week later, after a surgery and a four day stay at a hospital in Boston, I was home again recovering. The doctor said no riding for three months! OMG! I thought, what can I do! Well, my plan was to strengthen myself as soon as possible and continue my teaching, envious of those who could ride. So far, so good. I've started physical therapy, am off crutches and coaching my daughter as she works my two horses and those of my students. Can't wait to see my doctor and get a progress report on how the hip is healing!