Lessons #178 & #179: Therapeutic Riding

For weeks, I have been struggling with back soreness and pain. I did work on the lawn and yard over the long weekend so I probably have miserable posture but in addition to that, my back loin muscles have been killing me. Yesterday was particularly rough because I could not find enough concentration in my being to get through the work day. I was really looking forward to my lesson because I knew that I'd have a better back just after sitting atop Ariel.

Sunday's lesson was no better... it ended up being pure flat work because I just couldn't muster the physical ability to do much else. I always start out stiff and uncomfortable even if I do some mild stretching prior to hopping on. My mid back was giving me issues that led to the forward leaning position which meant more work for Ariel to do anything that requires her to lift her front end. J had me canter with the reins in one hand and my other hand raised to the ceiling to ensure that I wasn't leaning forward.. somehow I managed--to lean forward, that is. The only good that came out of that exercise was that because I was too busy balancing on everything else, I let go of my hips and I actually swung with Ariel's motion instead of against it.

Yesterday's lesson on the other hand, we were jumping. The young rider M rides very well and everything just flow for her. Yes, I'm absolutely jealous of her lack of physical barriers. I on the other hand, struggled with staying up and sitting back and the jumps were not pretty. One time, I had a brain fart and just couldn't decide which way to turn after coming out a jump and Ariel and I were doing our last minute thing of "Hello? Where are we going? um... the rail is coming up kinda fast. You still there? Oh whatever, I'm going this way". I nearly fell off, but totally my fault. Another instance, I have no idea what was happening but I couldn't make the jump in time with her and it was really messy and I fall flat on her neck and also nearly toppled off. It was a messy lesson, to say the least. However, I was still able to do it in a canter for the most part and wasn't over thinking the jumps (thankfully small) and just went with whatever came at me. Sheri reiterated that fact too and reminded me that adults have different challenges than kids do... and one of them is the physical limitations just b/c of years of bad posture or favouring one side or something like that.

Despite all that, my back and hips always feel 110% better just by sitting ontop of Ariel. Even if we're not moving. The burning and soreness is gone when I am ontop. It's better than going to get a massage or chiropractor to look at my old bones. On another thread, I brought the mini-Ariel in to snap a shot with Miss Ariel herself! I don't think she appreciated being copied (though never duplicated!).

Mini-Ariel!