Wish It Was A Vacation That Kept Me Away

Instead...   I suffered a debilitating back spasm at work last Wednesday.  The vice like clamp started just below my shoulders and went all the way down to the coccyx and the pain was so bad it literally sent me to my knees.   Once I was able to stand back up the pain was centered around the lower lumbar area where I have compressed disks.  The pain was as bad as I experienced two summers ago when I couldn't walk.

The really sad and frustrating thing about this for me is that I'm stronger and more physically fit then I've been in over 15 years.  However, the lower back likes to remind me just how fragile the human body can be.

Thursday and Friday of last week were spent doing absolutely nothing beyond what was necessary - which meant neanderthal penguin shuffling to the kitchen for food, or to the bathroom from the couch.  I put myself on a strict, ice, heat, ibuprofen, rest regimen until Saturday.  On Saturday I asked my dear husband to please drive me to the barn, I was going to ride something, some how.

Against his better judgement, I'm sure, he took me.  I put a halter and lead rope on Rosie and used a jump standard to climb up on her.  Jim then proceeded to lead me around until I went from leaning forward clutching mane to balance, to sitting up.  Then he turned me loose to ride around by myself.

Here is a quick video.  She's dirty, and I'm helmet less which is a huge no no so please ignore that.



You will notice she is walking so slow and careful.  I wanted to trot, but she wouldn't, really couldn't because I was so tense in my legs, seat and back.  Also my balance was horrible and she was extremely careful to stay under me.


Sunday was a better, but I still couldn't sit or stand for long.  Monday was even better and my son and I met my instructor at the barn for some Halloween riding.  She did a training ride on Rosie and got her cantering off leg and no more bucking.  She also checked saddle fit and says it's good until she develops more muscle just above the shoulder where it's hollow.  She said check it again in a month.   My son rode Rosie at walk all over the arena and around the obstacles, then I got up and rode without stirrups walk, sitting trot and a bit of posting without stirrups.

I rode Rosie bareback again for about 15 minutes last night and things are good with the back.  I'm muscle stiff so much so that movement and stretching helps tremendously.