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Epilepsy and horseback riding
Thu, 11/02/2006 - 16:33Topic: Teen Zone
I do trail riding and horseback lessons once a week with a competent instructor. I've recently had two auras, one culminating in a seizure, in less than a month. What should I do if I feel an aura or otherwise can tell of a possible oncoming seizure--besides stopping the horse and informing the instructor? Should I dismount, hang on, or what? I have fairly violent seizures.
Comments
Re: Re: Epilepsy and horseback riding
Submitted by kjd on Thu, 2006-11-02 - 17:27
P.S.
Sorry about grammar and tense in above post. Seizure yesterday has brain not working properly! Thought I had profread better. I know Churchill is dead!
Re: Epilepsy and horseback riding
Submitted by kjd on Thu, 2006-11-02 - 17:03
Dovehorse- Your question would depend on several things- How long have you been riding, how familiar is your instructor with seizures, are your lessons private and how well broke is your lesson horse? If you seizures are fairly violent as you say,for the safety of youself, your horse and your instructor If you have enough warning that you seizures are coming I would definitely suggest that you dismount. If you can't answer yes to any of the first questions, then I might suggest finding a club that specials in theraputic riding horses that are used to being around people with seizures as well as instructors who can assist you if you have a seizure. I would never suggest quit riding, its theraputic in itself. I have been around horses many years. I was devastated when I found out I had seizures two years ago. I thought I would have to quit riding. Luckily my seizures are simple partial, I do not lose consciousness, just balance and motor skills. Also, amazingling enough, my horse who is my next best friend, seems to sense when I am having balance problems. If she senses my balance is off, she stops and waits and looks back as if to check on me. She is the first horse I have owned thru the years that I trust completely to take care of me, she is a privelige to own. I also wear a helmet now, which I never did before. One of those die hards, you know. Hope this has helped, good luck with your riding. Remember what Winston Churchill says" Theres something about the outside of a horse thats good for the inside of a man(or woman)." Kelly