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Does any one think I should not give up my horses?

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Posted 2/17/2011 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
I rode competitively for many years.  My horses and I don't really like trails all that much, just chasing cows. Team penning and sorting.  I found that when I compete, I use up so much adrenaline that the next day, perhaps two, I can hardly get out of bed.  I gave one of my horses to a good friend who loves him as much as I do last week.

I am on the verge of trying to place my other horse, selling my saddles, truck, trailer and doing a complete lifestyle change.  I have rectal pain and have to use a gel pad on the saddle. My shoulders are getting so bad I can barely lift the saddle on to the horse.  Lower back is becoming an issue. I'm 59.  I'm trying to work an administrative job for at least 3 more years.  I'm single and don't have any family or friend support.  Just dogs and horses.

I'm taking effixor xr 300 mg, just started malic acid and magnesium and omega 3-6-9.  I've had bad reactions to Lyrica, Salverra and Cymbalta. 

Would love feed back from you on this. Please.

 

Posted 2/17/2011 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds to me like you need to take care of your body right now. If that means giving up your horse, hard as that may be - well, that's what I'd do, probably. Is there someone who would love this horse as much as you do, too? That would make it easier.

I'm sorry you have to make such a tough choice.

Debbie
Posted 2/17/2011 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I'm stubborn.  You obviously love your horse and it is a companion for you.  I think I'd wait longer.  You don't know what the future holds for you.  You might think of other ways to get around fibro to continue enjoying riding him/her.  I hate to see anyone throw in the towel because of fibro.  You have started the malic acid and that might help you more, too.  Do you take vitamin D3?  If you are low in that, you will have more pain and fatigue, too.  I take those and also take ibuprofen with food and extra strength Tylenol to help with the pain of fibro.   

 

I know you are active.  You have to be to have a horse but I do think it's a labor of love for you right now.  We also have a member here...GSDGirl....who has horses so she might be able to give you some ideas, too.  So, hang tough.  Don't let fibro defeat you.  If you see you REALLY can't handle it anymore, you will know in your heart and you won't need to ask anyone what they think.  I'll be praying that you are able to enjoy your horse for many more years.

 

Oh, here is something I wrote a while ago on things that helped me with lower back pain.  I rarely have that now.  Maybe this will help you too.  Also, do stretching exercises in bed before you get up.  That will help you.  Here is what I wrote about low back pain.  Hope this helps.

 

First of all, I do not sleep flat on my back because it makes my back hurt more.  I don't sleep on my stomach either.  I sleep on my sides with a pillow wedged behind my back.  This way, I can partially be on my back but have support.  That helps me.  I also get out of bed using a cane.  I roll on my side, draw my legs up in a sitting position so the legs are actually hanging over the floor, and then I push off with the cane.  Gravity will bring your legs down and you will be pulled to a sitting position without using your back muscles.

 

When getting in and out of a car, sit on the seat with your feet on the pavement.  Then, either using the seat or the steering wheel, swivel your feet into the car while keeping your back straight.  I buy cars with leather seats because they are slippery.  But, when I rent a car and get cloth seats I had to come up with another idea...and I did!  I get a garbage bag and a towel.  I lay the garbage bag on the seat and the towel over it.  Then I do the above.  The garbage bag and towel let  your rear end swivel like you were on a lazy susan!  LOL  Just reverse the above to get out of the car.

 

Don't use your back muscles when you are lifting things up.  Use your legs instead.  By doing the above things, my back rarely hurts me now.  I hope these suggestions will help you, too!


 

Sherrine

Posted 2/18/2011 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Bliss, there are a few things that I would take into consideration

1)are you paying board?  If so is it a problem....you don't have to answer that it's none of our business

2)is your horse in a stall or in a field with a run in?  Mine are in a field, I have stalls but they are happier and healthier outside.

3)how old is your horse?  can you ride every 2 or 3 months without the horse being "nuts"

The more I think about your post the more I am wondering.  Are you up to riding competition?  If not you have a lot of upkeep and I don't mean just the horse.  Since you and the horse don't like to take it easy and trail ride (LOL) I myself would be tempted to give them up (sorry Sherrine) I would not get rid of my saddles and bridles that stuff is expensive to replace.

Geeze that is a hard call...... confused    My horses are in my field and we bale 10 acres of hay.  I have a 16 year old Impressive gr daughter on both sides, she (Foxy horse) liked penning whereas her owner was/is a barrel racer so we got her cheap.  And my boy (Magnum) is about 12 or so, I bought from a horse dealer also cheap......I think they were each 1800.00.  Both extremely well trained and can be ridden once or twice a year with no problem.

Soo, we are in different situations.  Hubby says to sell the horses but I keep avoiding it nono . 

I would think long and hard about getting rid of everything.  Good Luck and let us know AND Welcome to the forum.

Posted 2/18/2011 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bliss, me again. Have you ever thought about retraining your horse with you on the ground in a round-pen? I used to watch a lot of Clinton Anderson, Parelli and a few others on RFDTV. It would be something to do and it is interesting.

Just passing a thought by.

I saw a video done by one of the "Natural Horsemanship" people, it was a woman and (of course) I can't remember her name. It was a tribute to her dad and she did the whole thing with no bridle or saddle and at times she was moving!! Maybe Julie Goodnite or Ellen something? It was beautiful, brought tears to my eyes
Posted 2/18/2011 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
That's a very tough decision. I have horses too, and have considered this when things were really bad/flaring. However, I'm happy to go out on trail, and do not pay board as my horses are on my property. They are not locked up in stalls - rather corral with pasture access. I haven't ridden competitively since college, playing polo.

My mom has RA, and had to give up riding altogether. She also has FMS. She ended up getting 2 small ponies which she keeps in pasture and can love on them daily. She is still able to groom them and feed them and really enjoys the contact.

It would be very difficult. If you're only wanting to ride competitively and it's not possible, I might. But... what about leasing them to someone else who would use them and take care of them? That way, if they find a cure for this FMS in the next couple of years (I'm hoping), then you'd still have them around?

Hope you do what's best for you. It's a very difficult choice.
Posted 2/18/2011 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
lovey. I have 2 horses and one is hubby's. He had never ridden....ever so if I had a horse he wanted one. He has been on her twice in the round pen, not even an arena. Sooo I have 2 horses and no one to ride with :- {

That was a very good thought prvoking post. I'm on the fence too...pun intended
Posted 2/18/2011 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for your responses.  I can trail ride any time if I want to fo friends on their horses.  The horse I have left is by himself in a two stall barn with a turn out and small 90' by 60' arena.  He's still very competitive. 16.  He loves working cattle more than anything.  I think he is lonely and bored.

Although I love the team penning and sorting it is high energy.  I don't feel I will ever be able to do this again unless they find some kind of a cure.  I also have to retire and downsize and won't be able to afford to keep my place so that would mean boarding him somewhere. 

I think it may be best for Trevor if I find him a home with other horses, where he will be loved and appreciated and ridden on cattle which is what he was bred to do. 

FM requires a lifestyle change, I can't look at it as beating me and I also need to think of what is best for the horse.

Thank you for helping me decide.

Posted 2/18/2011 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Bliss, If he is all alone it would probably be better  cry for your horse especially if he is still competitive.  My PCP doctor has a 25 year old horse that he just quit penning on that is still fantastic.  He (the doctor)had to quit due to neck surgery and all the hardware they put in his neck.

I was just watching my 2 horses and a little welsh pony (pony foundered bad last winter) running full blast through 2 pastures that are about 7 acres total.  Beautiful sight!! Plus my Blaze girl (Shepherd that has such bad hip dysplasia) was running the fence line with them.

Luv2ride, I lost my head for a minute writing Lovey.  The German Shepherd that went best of breed (not best in show) is called Lovey and I was just reading my show dog list tongue    hope you aren't offended.

Posted 2/19/2011 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
No problem, wondered about the Lovey post..

You're right though, if he's all alone and not in company of other horses, I'd find him a great home, with other horses, especially if your friends will let you ride whenever you feel like it. That's a perfect situation - no chores, feeding, cost but the benefit of riding! Sounds great.
Posted 2/20/2011 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
luv2ride and GSDgirl I think I may have a good outcome here, my sister in New Mexico wants him. She has to come to So Cal to pick him up but her horse is now 21 and she has been keeping a horse for free as a companion to him. She can come get Trevor and ride Trevor and her horse will be a companion to him. If I get better, I can get him back. She does occassionally help out on local ranches so he would get to work a cow once in a while but would mainly be on pasture, in a good home and have a companion. GSDgirl, I don't think horses are meant to be alone, like people. I know your horse with hip displasia feels less pain when he is running with your other horse than he would by himself.
Posted 2/20/2011 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
oops.....The hip dysplasia one is my 9 year old German Shepherd, I have 6, sorry about that.  She was on the outside of the pasture

Great news about a home with another horse for Trevor (like that name).  I would try to keep a saddle or 2 and some bits & bridles.  I know you have more than one or 2 if you are like me LOL. 

 I got rid of all my stuff when I was 26 as I didn't see hubby and horses on the same property.  wellll 24 years later I had to buy it all again.

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