02/24/2022
I have just gone in to the Big Smoke, to see a doctor who specializes in sports medicine. He left me to believe that by the time a physically adventurous person is nearing sixty years on this earth, they will—ahem—be wearing out. Their parts are no longer covered by any sort of warranty. He also led me to believe that an otherwise sane person who messes around with horses is more likely to wear out—even faster.
I was beginning to get the feeling that I was one in a l-o-n-g line of people who came to him with similar complaints. It was while I was explaining what had happened to my knee, that he stopped short in his taking of notes. Now, I had his attention.
“Whoa. Whoa! WHOA!” The doctor looked up from his screen and held a hand up. “I’d have bet that I’ve treated every possible sports injury known to mankind, but you might be one for the diary. I have NEVER been presented with someone who was hurt while racing sidesaddle! Is that even a thing?!”
We shared a good laugh, before getting back to the serious business of ‘living well and riding better’. I’m still smiling and you know, it feels good to see to my own health, for a change. Our horses have their teeth and chiro done, annually and yet, it’s all too easy for an owner like me to go years, without taking the needed time for herself.
I was left with a scolding that I’m going to pass along to any of you who might be doing what I have been doing, for the past three years now. I know exactly where and when I hurt myself... and yet, I did nothing about it. If we are presented with a searing pain that does not lessen, does not go away, it is not going to go away on its own. We are not going to ‘walk it off’ or magically resolve with 'turnout'. We are not going to 'Bute' it better. Today's hard diagnosis would have been very, very different had I seen to this knee, back when I hurt it.
My friends, you wouldn’t do it to your horses; don’t do it to yourselves. Don’t make yourself ‘ride sore’. Go to the doctors and physical therapists until you’ve got some real answers. Then, follow directions and do your homework!
Why do we do this? Why do we take our horses to the vet, the dentist, the massage therapist, the chiropractor and then, we put our own complaints on the back burner, all the while knowing that this active life we lead is only possible as long as our health holds?
This is but another lesson I am having to learn...
