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[mary k.]

So, have any of you horsepeople sprained your ankle? How long did it take before you were able to ride again? I know that varies from person to person, but I'm really getting antsy not being able to take my lessons. Sprained my left ankle rather severely, according to the doc, three weeks ago and finally went without crutches the whole day today. Of course, I'm sporting one of those rocker boots, which has been great for stabilizing the joint. But dang. Whiiiiiiiiine....

MK

[horsepeople2001]

nope have no idea, I bruise bones before doing any type of sprain. my family tends to tear ligaments. yes at 52 I have never sprained any thing or broken a bone. my joints are in great shape and I only have 3 compressed discs in my lower back. I have lost count of how many times I have been thrown/fallen/run over by a horse with 38 years of riding time under my belt you'da thunk some thing woulda broke/sprained by now. I feel for you mary and hope you get a speedy recovery so you may ride again very soon. let me know if you want to ride dutchess the day after thanks giving at stottlemeyer trails/port gamble. it is the day after turkey day ride aka black friday!

[4HMom]

Our doctor doesn't even try to limit my daughters' down time for sprains. Vet wrap works great and is less bulky in your boot than ace bandages:)

My younger daughter had surgery on her foot and was riding before she was fully weight bearing because it didn't hurt to ride. She just didn't post.

[Joan Deutsch]

Mary K, I'm sorry to hear about your ankle! That's extremely frustrating to be laid up from riding. I have a friend who has twisted her ankle several times. I wondered if she has a chronic problem because she didn't take the doctor's advice and rest the first time. How have your lessons been going? Are you riding different horses and what are you working on?

[Joan Deutsch]

MaryK, I meant to ask ... did you make it to the Buck clinic in Spanaway?

[kriss10]

I haven't sprained an ankle in a long time, and injuries as kids hardly count I tore up my knee pretty bad last year but I rode anyhow. Getting on from the ground was incredibly painful, and I had to be pretty careful about where we went because it just didn't handle any stress at all. I don't think I did the right thing by pushing through the pain, but in the long run, for my injury, it didn't really matter. I would guess if you can get on without doing anything that makes you want to puke from the pain, you might be ok for a easy ride. I'm like you - I just get antsy sitting around. Good Luck!

[mary k.]

Thanks for the info and well-wishes, everyone!

At age 58 I'm being very cautious about this ankle because it is healing very slowly and I don't want it to get stressed/overused so as not to backslide/re-injure it.

Stephanie, I think I've got to pass on the ride. But thanks a lot for asking, I'd love to ride Dutchess sometime. How's she doing? Do you have her now?

Joan, no, I didn't make it to the Buck B. clinic, dang it, it was too painful to drive. I hope he comes thru again.

Kriss10, " I would guess if you can get on without doing anything that makes you want to puke from the pain, you might be ok for a easy ride." LOL!!

Having posting be painful is what I've been concerned about re dressage lessons. A good part of my lesson is at a posting trot and again, I don't want to risk re-injury.

Joan, I'm riding pretty much the same horse during my dressage lessons, a 20-y-o, 1400-lb, 17.1 hh American Warmblood who is a Dutch Warmblood-something cross and trained through 2d level. Her name is Isis, and I absolutely adore her. She can get kind of spooky on the ground, but under saddle she's calm and takes very good care of me. I guess we're doing the lowest level of dressage right now, lots of circles, transitions, serpentines, three gaits, etc. I'm getting used to the idea/practice of contact, which is so different than riding Western. But I just love dressage, there's so much to think about and be aware of, while being relaxed at the same time. I hope to go to a couple of shows next year and ride some tests.

Tuesday I see the doc re this dang ankle and am going to ask him if a cortisone shot would calm down one of the ligaments that just wants to keep barking at me. I traded my stick-shift car for an automatic w/one of my brothers, and that's helping a lot.

Ride on, everyone!

Mary

[horsepeople2001]

Thanks for the info and well-wishes, everyone!

At age 58 I'm being very cautious about this ankle because it is healing very slowly and I don't want it to get stressed/overused so as not to backslide/re-injure it.

Stephanie, I think I've got to pass on the ride. But thanks a lot for asking, I'd love to ride Dutchess sometime. How's she doing? Do you have her now? yes we have her now and she is doing fine, she is a good trail horse. I also think she would do well at endurance or dressage.

Joan, no, I didn't make it to the Buck B. clinic, dang it, it was too painful to drive. I hope he comes thru again.

Kriss10, " I would guess if you can get on without doing anything that makes you want to puke from the pain, you might be ok for a easy ride." LOL!!

Having posting be painful is what I've been concerned about re dressage lessons. A good part of my lesson is at a posting trot and again, I don't want to risk re-injury.

Joan, I'm riding pretty much the same horse during my dressage lessons, a 20-y-o, 1400-lb, 17.1 hh American Warmblood who is a Dutch Warmblood-something cross and trained through 2d level. Her name is Isis, and I absolutely adore her. She can get kind of spooky on the ground, but under saddle she's calm and takes very good care of me. I guess we're doing the lowest level of dressage right now, lots of circles, transitions, serpentines, three gaits, etc. I'm getting used to the idea/practice of contact, which is so different than riding Western. But I just love dressage, there's so much to think about and be aware of, while being relaxed at the same time. I hope to go to a couple of shows next year and ride some tests.

Tuesday I see the doc re this dang ankle and am going to ask him if a cortisone shot would calm down one of the ligaments that just wants to keep barking at me. I traded my stick-shift car for an automatic w/one of my brothers, and that's helping a lot.

Ride on, everyone!

Mary

[turnershaven]

Hi Mary,
Just thought I would let you know that in early Sept I took a bad fall taking veggies to my neighbor, I stepped on what looked like a flat asphalt piece and it rolled spilling me onto dirt and gravel road shoulder. Sprained my left ankle, tore ligaments and tendons too... the ankle swelled up so bad that I wasn't sure I would be able to get my boot off,(a lace up hiker) I had people stopping on the road to see if I was ok,(so glad our community is small) luckily had my cell and called the neighbor I was taking the veggies to and they rescued me helping me get home and offered to take over my chores. No driving since I have a clutch, no standing and of course no riding. Pretty much ruined the fall riding! I am just now getting to where I can lace my boot all the way, Dr. said might be as much as 3 months before the swelling finally quits! AAAACCCKKKK! I think I might be able to get back in the saddle but of course now the rains are coming I too am on the other side of 50--56 next month so we heal slower and it is very aggravating, you could try drawing the alphabet with your foot to work on strengthening it and keeping it flexible but just don't over do! Best Wishes-Cheryl

[kriss10]

@Turner - I got a chuckle out of your knee story. Not because it is funny, but because I can relate. I rolled my ankle a couple of times this summer, but fortunately, never to the extent of your injury. With no ACL in my right knee it tends to be a bit wobbly and it usually folds under pressure before my ankle does