Re: people who ride horses with CMT

[Guest guest]

Hey,

I think it's already pretty clear that I am an avid rider. I am 21, and have

ridden since I was ten. I have officially owned my own horse for a year, a seven

year old Thoroughbred named Cherokee. He raced about thirty times, but only won

once. Cherokee can be a bit of a turkey, but I like the challenge. He's also

quite young, so I'm training him all myself.

I am also on the Dressage Team here at school. We compete at other schools on

other school's schoolhorses. It is quite challenging and really tests your

ability to ride other peoples horses.

I graduate in May and I hope to get a job at an equine publication. I think

horses are in my blood. It's very therapeutic for my legs.

Liz

[Guest guest]

Ooooh, memories..... I used to ride when I was young (before I knew I

had CMT - I was just a dork then). I loved it. The last few times

I've ridden (being some 20 years later), it's a little frightening now.

Also memories of out west, having moved away from Utah this summer,

with a stop in Grand County (heaven on earth), CO on the way east.

Nina

[Guest guest]

Liz,

Oh yeah, that's what my boyfriend told me horse back riding is good for his CMT.

I know it's dangerous but I can't stop him of doing that, He really loves to

ride.

[Guest guest]

I remember you Liz from the old CMTEquine list

Gretchen, I have always has the same dream of adopting a BLM

mustang. I ride gaited horses, though, so just a few weeks ago we

bought a weanling TWH. He is our first baby horse, and my husband is

already doing great training him. I don't know that I will ever be

able to ride him, but it's such a joy to watch Todd work with the

horses.

[Guest guest]

I think I need to get Adam into riding horses. Where do I start??

[Guest guest]

Liz,

That happens to me too. I only trail ride, but we have gone on a few

group rides and people react to me in weird ways sometimes. I've had

people say things after a ride and they see me get off and use a crutch like

" You're the crutch person??!!!?? We didn't think the crutch person was riding " .

Sometimes they seem really taken aback. Mostly we ride with friends who don't

care that I am disabled, they don't act wierd about it at all. I can ride 20+

miles in a ride, so I don't think they feel they are 'dumbing it down' for me.

We went on a group camp/ride last fall where you rode every day for

five days. By the fifth day everyone had gone home except Todd and I

and two other people. We were still not done riding

Sometimes at parties I can see the look on people's faces when I say

that I ride. You can almost hear them thinking " oh,that's neat that you can ride

around in an arena while being led " . You should see the look of panic on their

faces when I say " give us a call, we'd love to go riding with you " . Ha!

[Guest guest]

,

I wish you lived close to Cincinnati. We have 7 horses, several which are child

proof. I am hoping my 3 year old CMT son will take an interest soon. I

get him up in the saddle about once a week, he usually says he is finished after

about 15 minutes. He doesn't like the jerky motion on his back. Given all the

benefits of riding I'm hoping he will eventually appreciate the therapy and

become a riding enthusiast like his mom. I would check for a local stable or

look for a riding for the handicap center which will work together with PT.

So since the subject of horses came up I am like Liz and could go on for ever.

I would love to hear more of your horse travels from those of you who go on the

week long trail riding. Liz, if you ever get close to Cincy I have 2 incredible

show horse who also respond to light touch.

[Guest guest]

Thank you Liz I will look at the narha.org website for Adam.

[Guest guest]

Thank you ,

I had a pediatric PT tell me years ago that horse back riding was great for kids

with gait problems. I can't remember why but it sounded

good at the time.

[Guest guest]

About horses--As my ability to walk became increasingly impaired, my wife

and I began riding horses as part of our vacations. We look for trail rides

and have enjoyed many rides all over the counrty. We have had very short

1-hour jaunts and an exhausting 14 mile trek through the Adirondacks in

upsate New York. The 2-3 hour rides are my favorite. We are looking into a

2 day ride in Yellowstone; I may go alone though since my wife dislikes

camping. What I have found is that good outfitters understand when I

explain that I have difficulties and I tip generously when I get special

assistance. The only assistance I need is getting on and off; I am

otherwise a pretty good rider--thanks to some good wranglers and some effort

on my part. I have found many horse people who love to teach their craft

and are always happy to educate. And, it is great exercise.

Tom

[Guest guest]

We went on a 5 week trip this fall.....really, tough, that was about

3 weeks too long. We have a living quarters horse trailer, so it's

not the 'roughing it' one might think. Still, I got really run down

and it took me weeks to recover. We rode over 200 miles total on

that trip in Nevada and Utah. It's so neat to see places that I

would never ever have a hope of seeing if it weren't for the

horses I've taught my horse to stand close to whatever object I

want to use to get on and off from. I have to be as high as the

horse's back, since my legs barely work, I have to 'place' them over

her back with my arms. We were featured in a horse magazine for my

method of saddling and mounting.

We also went on a pack trip in September. For the non-horse people,

that's where you take all your camping gear in with you and camp in

the backcountry. The hardest part about thatt, for me, was finding

places to 'use the bathroom' since we were with a group of people. I

had to 'hike' a bit away from camp each time, which is not easy for

me. Other than that it was a great experience. It's so neat to feel

like I am doing what no one would expect from me. I use a crutch,

but also use a wheelchair for large places like steet fairs or the

grocery store. Riding a horse frees me from these accoutrements of

disability.

[Guest guest]

My daughter is 23 and was diagnosed when she was 7 with CMT. She has been

riding horses since then and has trained and shown horses in 4H. Last spring she

was working with a 2yr old (training), he slipped on the ice and she fell and

broke her pelvic in 4 places. I didn't want her to ride again. But she back in

the saddle again and doing well.

Sharon