Not Quite Time To Ride

Happy Day….NOT

So today was supposed to be a happy day. I am officially 6 weeks and 2 days out from surgery. So this weekend was supposed to be when it was safe for me to climb back up in to the saddle and start riding again. I have been looking forward to this weekend for the past 6 weeks. I have been planning and working with Frisby every day from the ground in preparation for when I would be able to at least walk around my riding arena with him. So you see, today was supposed to be a happy day.

Unfortunately, it didn’t go quite as I had been planning.

Riding Anticipation

On Tuesday in preparation for the weekend and my last official day off from work, I wanted to groom my riding arena. I wanted to make sure everything was ready to go for my first ride. But while I was going around the arena on our riding lawnmower with my arena groomer hooked up, I could feel a little bit of pain in my abdomen, even though I was going ultra slow so I would hopefully not be jiggling around my insides. But after two passes around the arena, I knew it was time to stop. I was having some pain, and I haven’t had any pain for the last 3 or 4 weeks.

And after I stopped, the pain stopped which was a good thing. But it got me thinking, if I was having some discomfort just from riding on the lawn mower, what would it be like when I got back in the saddle?

So with the weekend upon me, I sent an e-mail to my doctor, and explained what was going on, and I also asked her again if it would be ok if I were to ride my horse. And I already knew what she was going to say, but I just needed to hear the words from her. It would be best if I waited until I was 12 weeks out from surgery before I started riding again. I knew that was going to be the answer.

I was a little bummed out, but not devastated like I thought I would be. Being a nurse, I replayed in my own head what I tell my patients every single day; “It is better to go slow, and make sure you are fully recovered before returning to high impact activities.” It’s always different when you are the patient, right?

Looking At The Have Full Glass

But I wasn’t as sad as I thought I would be I think mainly because even though I have not been able to ride, I have been able to work with my horses every single day. And without the added pressure of something else to do with my horses I can focus on what I can do. And so far it has been going very well.

I have been walking Frisby in the arena, and off our property. I have worked with Ethan on the ground and getting him ready for when I can ride again. I have been perfecting my ground skills with both horses so much that my confidence level has increased a tremendous amount by simply doing what I’m allowed to do. And with all of the grooming they have been getting, they are both super shiny!

Little Victories

Both horses ground manners have improved far more than if I were trying to fit in riding too. So I am confident that when I am able to get back in the saddle, that first ride will be even more special. So I need to focus on what I have been able to do over the past 6 weeks:

• My tack room is organized
• All of my tack is clean and conditioned
• My bridles are all ready to go
• I have downsized the things I no longer need and/or use
• Ethan will stand for mounting
• Frisby is getting in shape
• I have gotten to go to a lot of horse shows and learn, from a spectator’s point of view

Focus On The Positive

The news I got today was not what I wanted to hear, but I will respect it, and do what is recommended by my doctor, because I can still work with my horses, on the ground. And it is much better to move slowly, and progress slowly. Because progress is progress, no matter how small the feat. And because I have seen what happens when patient’s don’t follow doctor’s orders, and I do not want to ever go through surgery again, especially if it is because I didn’t do what I was supposed to. And on a happier note, my husband still has to clean stalls for me, so that’s fun!

Not Quite Time To Ride

I am grateful that I have such a cautious surgeon because I don’t want to do anything that will cause my health to suffer, it isn’t worth it. And while I won’t be riding, I can do a lot of diy projects, and finish some jump building projects that I started and never made the time to finish.

So I hope you all like reading about how to make different jumps, learning how to set up some jump courses, and all things related to arts and crafts because that is what you are going to be getting for the next 6 weeks! And then after my next doctor’s appointment on August 15^th, hopefully I will have the green light to begin riding again!