Tuesday, September 2, 2008

A Hitch in Our Giddiup

Both the Arabian Prince and I have been dealing with tweaks in our backs for the past two weeks.

Mine started when I went off to the barn after one of those days at work where someone had messed with my supposedly ergonomic chair and I couldn't get it back to where it worked for me. I had a huge muscle knot in my lower left pelvic area, that sent twinges when I walked. I was in a lesson, and started to trot, and suddenly, pain was radiating from my spine. I could barely work at the walk.

I went off to the chiropractor who said my tailbone was out of alignment. I haven't been back on Ace since. The adjustments aren't taking, because every time I go in to see the chiropractor is after an 8 hour day in the chair of torture and I can't figure out the correct adjustment.

The day after my back started to hurt, I got a call from Gayle telling me Ace's right back leg was swollen and badly scraped up and he was moving gingerly. We think he cast himself, but we can't figure out where. While I was out of town, we had the bio lights technician come on by and, while it helped, Gayle could still feel a problem when she rode him even when she couldn't see anything at the trot. The chiropractor is coming on Thursday, which should take care of the problem.

I saw him roll for the first time since this happened a couple of days ago. That was a relief. Before that, he kept walking with with his nose hanging low while he pawed at the sand in the arena looking for that special spot and not being able to bring himself to actually go down. It was pitiful. He is moving quite well without a rider on his back and did a good deal of bucking and galloping on Sunday, so, clearly, he's improving.

I despair that I won't.

6 comments:

Grey Horse Matters said...

Sorry to hear about your back pain, we all suffer from that once in a while. I wonder if you couldn't contact the manufacturer of the chair and find a distributor close by who can come and readjust it for you.
Glad to hear that Ace is feeling better and rolling and bucking again.

M. C. Valada said...

Good idea about the chair. I'll see what I can do.

Ace is still dragging that back toe and now the chiropractor won't be here for another week. Annoying.

Thanks for your good wishes.

Cheryl Ann said...

Read my post on deserthorses5. I tweeked my "gluteus maximus" and I've been to the chiropractor 4x now and I STILL limp and HURT! Half the time I limp and the other half I'm fine, but the pain runs down my leg from my hip to my toes! OUCHIE! I can't ride now either.

Victoria Cummings said...

Sorry to hear that you're both feeling achy. Do you know about Feldenkrais? I had terrible back problems for years and finding a good Feldenkrais practitioner had miraculous results. My dear friend, Mary Debono, is in San DIego, but she comes up to LA often - she works on horses as well as people. www.debonosense.com Hope you and Ace feel better soon!

M. C. Valada said...

Cheryl: So sorry. Do feel better.

Victoria: My friend Janis Ian is a big believer in Feldenkrais, but I have not tried it. I'll check out your friend's website. Thannks.

Cheryl Ann said...

I don't hate lawyers! Before I became a teacher, I was a legal secretary for 7 years! And, yes, they have to be quick on their feet!