It's in my dreams that I could even think of riding a horse again. It's one of those things on my depressing list of things I will never be able to do again. Especially being in Tennessee which is one of the places I want to visit since I am thinking of moving south........

Well looks like my mother (advanced RA both hands deformed) will be joining us this time. So no horses left. She gets my gaited pony since I have to push her up onto the saddle...:)

But next weekend is looking decent on the extended forecast too!

Coal train, with the right horses and equipment, even biplegics can ride. You might look into a therapeutic riding stable in your area

No such thing around here in the boonies. No stables anywhere around here.

I am intrigued now. I must admit when I first read your post, my initial reaction was why would you offer horseback riding to people who need canes, walkers, and wheelchairs to normally get around.

I haven't ridden a horse since I was a teenager, but it was always one of those things I wanted to get back into as I got older. Now with this @#$% RA I simply crossed it off my list.

I am hoping for my wife and I to be well enough within the next couple years to make an attempt of travelling toward the south and possibly out west some. It's nice to know there is such a thing as therapeutic riding stables - never would have thought of such a thing. Something I might have to try someday.

@coaltrain, my friend.

MBDs2 and I have modified our bucket list twice now because of my ailments - I too am looking for ways to achieve those things dear.

I guess my message to us and all is, don't give up and like we do, DREAM BIG - at least we can say we tried.

This "stuff" we deal with is so depressive - I have to work hard every day to not let it get me down - it got me a couple of weeks or so ago - very difficult series of events to work through - BUT we have to keep trying.

Sorry if it sounds like preaching, that is not my style or intent - my point is Don't give up - we shouldn't and we can't

Sorry for the rant

Be well, my friend. Be well ALL

Bluedogs2

Guys, even during my super flare of '09, when I couldn't even pull covers over myself... If my husband saddled my gaited pony and pushed me up on her - I could enjoy the outdoors for hours with her as my legs. (Hips and lower back were never affected). I switched to big fat soft rope reins which I could kind've grip and kept my swollen feet outtve the stirrups. It was wonderful! Like a 4x4 wheelchair that was all voice commanded. It allowed me to forget that I could barely walk for a while. Often I'd just sit on my mount in the middle of the arena while my two kids jumped their horses along the rail. It saved me from depression.

After I recovered I actually looked into getting certified in hippotherapy so that my barn could become a therapeudic riding stable - but working 60 hours a week as a teacher made that just not feasible. But because all of my horses did perfect for me during that year, and the same for every physically limited friend I've put on them - I'm confident in putting anyone on them now.

Wish I still lived in the Smokey's, I would come try.

Peace
Bluedogs2

You are right Mr. bluedogs! I have kept this "list" to myself buried in the back of my mind. I rarely let it come forward but talking about horseback riding did just that. Not to worry - I don't let it bother me much at all.

Yeah - taking a trail ride in the Smokey Mountains sounds perfect to me also.

And thanks 2scicrazed for describing your riding when you were in bad shape. A horse sounds so much more appealing than a 4-wheeler for sure! But where I live I just don't have the room or pasture, so a small mechanized vehicle is what is next for me.