Who Rides with Broken Ribs

[Nancy DuPont <Htrails@Earthlink.net>]

I need stories from all of you who have broken ribs in the past.  We all know that unless our Doctor rides horses they do not know as well as we when we can start to ride again. 

I was riding with my friends on my old camp horse and she is a gentle trail horse. (My other horse, a gelding is my main man and he is spirited) I haven't been separated from my horse in 20 years.  I am 60 years old. So I am not a novice.  About 5 minutes from returning home from a great ride I was asleep at the reins, meaning not paying attention.  She was in the lead which did not give her confidence.  In short, she approached the usual muddy bog (that she walked across going out following the other horse) and leaped unexpectedly.  Well, by the time I fell her tense up it was history. She leaped with such forward motion it took her up a steep incline we both knew she could not carry me up.  The result would have been her going over backward on top of me so I guess I was lucky to bail off the side and crack three ribs.  She went clabbering downhill, lost a shoe and her dignity. 

My friends are not real equestrians and were having multiple problems on the ground, so when I was able to breath again, I mounted carefully and rode out.  (short version). 

I went the next day to get my ribs x-rayed because by then I could not ignore it.  Three broken, not separated #7 8 and 9.  He gave me pain pills.  I won't take codeine or vicodin so the doc gave me motrin and that worked fine.  It is now 16 days later to the day.  Except for discomfort I can mount and dismount, and when walking I have no problem.  But my horse started jigging (its spring, he feels good) and I felt anxious.  Before I felt pain, I dismounted and walked home.

Some say I must wait 6 weeks, but has anyone started earlier?  Let
me know. I have two rides to lead in another three weeks.

Nancy DuPont, Executive Director
Heritage Trails
1350 Castle Rock Road
Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Our Mission: To preserve and protect trails and
answer the question, "Where are you going to ride your horses, and
where are you going to keep them."
Telephone (925)937-7661 FAX (925) 943-7431