I have heard so many people ask, what are the risks of horse riding, or isn't it risky or dangerous to ride a horse?
The answer is yes, it is risky. I think most people fear getting hurt and that is the risk that can hold them back.
When I look back at the 1000's of hours, I have spent riding, I have had a few injuries while actually riding them, a few more being around them, and thankfully, none of them, for me, were serious physically. There have been a few that impacted my anxiety and fear more than the physical injury. But then I look back at all the things I do that are risky, and not involving horses, and really, they don't bring me the joy that riding does so there are tradeoffs.
I have been kicked. I have been bitten. I have been bucked off, I quit counting at 483 because it was too depressing. I have had a mountain lion jump on the butt of my pony and we both lived to tell about it. I have been jumped out of the saddle over a 4' oxer and knocked myself out on the withers coming back down and fallen off (in front of Bill Gates!). I have had a horse run backwards and flip over on top of me. It took me a while to think of all of this, but I did want you to see that there is risk.
Now for the flipside. I have ridden to the tops of mountains for a BBQ lunch and spectacular views. I have spent countless hours, training and jumping, to compete in 100's of horse shows. I have won medals, ribbons, coolers, flowers, and an assortment of other trinkets. I have enjoyed many hours of trails and incredible sights. I swam with the horses all summer in the heat. I have learned how to have a partnership with another being. I have felt the wind in my hair (before helmets were a safety net) while galloping on any areas that were straight and flat. I have ridden in a mounted drill team. The hours of joy far outweigh any risks for me. The feeling of being one with the horse and flying over the ground are the most rewarding things ever.
As my mom would say, horses are in my blood, might as well enjoy them!
If you want to tame your anxiety, and would like some help, I wrote a book about my journey back from fear to courage that has the process I used to enjoy riding again. Just click here!
I have a small community that supports those of us wanting to conquer our fear, would love to have you join us! Free Courage Group!
Sarcoids are so frustrating, but I have had great results with all the ones I have had on my horses.
I walked into our three-sided shed one day, and there was blood everywhere. I was shocked. All three mares were standing their, quietly munching their hay and it looked like one of them had lost a leg. I searched and searched, running my hands all over them and nothing. Fresh blood and it just appeared out of thin air.
I sat down in complete frustration, not knowing if my horse was going to die or even which one. As soon as I sat down, I could see the Sarcoid, between my mares thigh and her udder, up as far as it could be. It was about the size of a golf ball and I could see where it must have burst and then clotted over. This would not be the last of the blood, or the sarcoids, but I knew I had to do something until I could get the vet there.
I called my vet friend that uses Young Living Products since I knew I had a bunch of stuff on hand and might be able to help my poor horse. Here is the protocol she recommended twice a day until the vet could get here:
First, clean really well with Thieves Cleaner - 3 capful strength in 16 ounces of water.
Dry really well.
Gently rub in this blend: (it lasted me about 5 days, twice a day)
Copaiba - 20 drops
Purification - 20 drops
Thieves - 10 drops
Longevity - 10 drops
Tea tree - 20 drops
Cover with Animal Scents ointment (I mix with a tiny bit of coconut oil to get good consistency to apply).
It took a few weeks but the sarcoid disappeared before the vet came. She had a few more pop up and he was able to see one and confirmed it was a sarcoid and was surprised that the big one had gone away.
Usually, sarcoids go away on their own but not always and it is important to have a vet look as soon as possible. The above supports the healing along with what the vet needs to do.
Mounting your horse, with the thought of "throwing" your leg over, sends you into fits of pain just thinking about it. It really could be any stiffness or pain. Think about it from your horses perspective. Horses rely on healthy, strong, horses to be their leaders. The ones that are weaker or not up to the job, get pushed to the bottom. It is the survival of a prey animal, to make sure the weak are not amongst them.
So, do you need to be fit to horse ride? No, but it helps tremendously with the trust of your horse. Also, if you are stiff and/or sore, you are not going to react to situations as fast as possible to keep yourself safe. This can compound anxiety and fear. Also, I know for me, when I am stiff, I tend to slouch and ball up. I don't have the tall, looking to where I want to ride, poise, not sure what you call it, but I don't have it when I am stiff.
Think about the amazing riders, you see dancing with their horses in the dressage ring, or the jockeys, riding the horses flying down the track. The jumper riders and cutting horse riders that have to be nimble and have reflexes that rival the best in the world. Those riders are not going to perform to their best and their horses will also be challenged if the riders aren't fit.
In a related way, fitness also gives us the energy to ride and care for our horses. It takes strength to groom, tack up and ride. It takes strength to dance with your horse as you ride and not just be a passenger. Fitness is so key in my opinion to the relationship with your horse in all of these ways.
If you would like some ideas on getting fit, get my free guide - 5 ways to feel like a kid again! Click Here!
I would have said NO WAY. I had tried everything.
When I was 5, I wanted my aunts to sit on the floor and play a board game with me. They declined and said they would be in too much pain. I remember I was shocked. I vowed right then and there; I would NOT be that person that couldn't sit and play a board game with the kids.
Fast forward 50 years and guess what, I was that person. Not only could I not sit on the floor to play a board game, but my horse riding had suffered since I just had lost my flexibility and was so stiff and sore. Even putting on my socks was a challenge.
I tried this and that and there was improvement but not a complete solution. I tried yoga but hated it. I tried exercising but I already get enough of that with the farm. I tried eating different but that was just a challenge to know what to eat, what not to eat, I just didn't have directions. What happened to our owner's manual? Life would be so much easier.
Well, the wonderful Marth Krejci, gave me the owners manual. It came in the form of an 11-day jumpstart that I did the beginning of January. It has the food to eat. When to eat it. The Water to remove the toxins. The supplements to latch on to toxins and allow the water to remove them. It was easy. Step by step. For the first time in years, I am looking forward to spring riding! I am looking forward to the grandkids visiting.
I feel GREAT! The flexibility and balance I have gained reduced my anxiety getting on my horses!
If you would like to check out the 11-day program (and the bonus stuff I am throwing in for horse people!), just click here!
I used to think that riding, was a great way to tone my body and get my exercise, but then I realized that getting in shape, especially balance and flexibility would help my riding and my courage!
Riding does help keep my body toned and in shape. People say the horse does all the work and I just offer to let them take a horse around a course of jumps. It is a lot more strength than anyone really thinks about. Riders are athletes just as much as their horses, except maybe those that just relax on easy trail rides (which I used to do).
Let's take it a step further. If we can improve our balance and our flexibility, we can be better riders and then gain even more strength and benefit from the riding. I recently did an 11-day jumpstart program to reduce inflammation and I was shocked at how much better I felt overall. My wedding ring fit over my knuckles, which it hadn't done in three years! I could touch the ground at my feet, which I am not sure I have ever been able to do.
This newfound flexibility is a breath of fresh air. I can't wait to get riding this spring now that I feel GREAT, my body feels better, and even though I didn't want to, I lost weight. Most of all, with reduced inflammation, my energy levels are through the roof! That means cleaning the tack room, cleaning tack, mucking stalls, and all the other chores are so much easier.
So, back to the question, how does horse riding affect your body? Well, the riding improves how my body is toned but all the other things I can improve about my health, improve my riding and that to me is everything! Bring on SPRING!
If you want in the next 11-day jumpstart for riders, Click here!
