It's not you, it's me

Notice really how enormous Hampton is ...

Lately I have been having trouble with the right half pass. Hampton would get stuck, not really bend, not bring the haunches, go rein lame, you name it.

I was starting to think that maybe he really does need a major vet workup because the left half pass is FINE. Lovely, in fact.

Remember this for later.

....

Back at a schooling show in May, I threw my back out. Like, I had to stop riding and catch my breath. That sort of thing just never happens to me. Throughout this year, this same pain has been chronic - on and off. It is the left side of my lower back.

My when my back hurts all the time
Or, Buckley when is food bowl is empty.

Over the past month or so, it was getting to the point where it was difficult for me to even put my socks on in the morning. Or sit in the car. Anytime I put weight on my left leg, my back would spasm. Anytime I bent over. Even at sometimes random moments. Cantering Hampton would become painful - and thus I would brace and that didn't help anything.

After 3 visits to the chiro, and 2 massages from 2 different people - I was no better.

What the hell.

So on Tuesday I saw a physical therapist. She worked on me for well over an hour. She explained that my SI joint AND pelvis were pretty torqued up and to the left. It was so bad, that even my collar bone was up on the left. My entire body was affected.

While she was working on me, she said "You know, this type of injury I have seen from people who have jumped off something. It is an impact injury."

That's interesting, I thought. What tall thing do I jump off of on a daily basis?!?!

The guilty party

So after seeing the miracle worker, and one pill of Tramadol (a narcotic. I sure did not feel any pain the rest of the day but it made me feel AWFUL! How do drug addicts function?!) ... I felt only a few twinges the day after, and today I have been pain free.

So no more jumping off Hampton for a while. That's ok, he will stand by the mounting block while I climb down. Sorry pal, your human is getting old.

I guess if you own a 17 hand horse, maybe be more careful dismounting and don't just plop down like you are 15 years old again. That is the lesson here kids.

.....

When I rode Hampton in my lesson, guess what.

Right half pass no problem.