Dem bones, dem bones!
I forgot to tell you yesterday about my visit to the hospital for another xray on my arm. Good news! The stuff I have been doing has not prevented it from growing bone into the inch long gap that was left when they took out the dead bits. It's not full strength and still only misty on the picture, but it's definitely there. The Registrar said that it is healing well and in another six weeks it will be full strength.
We had a really good discussion about the plate. I asked him whether it would be a good idea to take it out given :
- that if I break it again it will be at the end of the plate, and serious
- that I do a high risk sport (another eventer died at the weekend, at Hartpury)
He said that there are pros and cons. The pro is that it would be better to break it in the middle than at the end of the plate, if I was to break it again.
The cons are that it's a more serious operation to get it out than to put it in, because it embeds itself into the bone over time. Also any surgery risks infection. And from a non-medical point of view, I didn't break it riding any of the many, mnay times I've fallen off, so there's no obvious risk that I'll break it falling off in future. And I sure as hell won't be breaking it by standing directly behind a horse and poking it in the bum!!
On the whole, it seems more sensible to try and forget it's there, doesn't it?
C
posted by cptrayes @ 4:03 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
If the plate's not causing any problem, leaving it in might be the best option. Hate to think of another surgery and it sounds as if there is a high risk of complications. So, just stay "bionic."
Another eventer killed? I just don't remember so many fatal accidents years ago. More people riding at the wrong levels? Harder courses? (I know that the levels have change substatially in the US from when I competed.) Horses not so well trained? Or just better reporting of accidents--although I'd think fatal ones would always have made headlines.
Scary, nonetheless. It's why I was so happy no one got hurt at the Olympics.
They are investigating whether the introduction of mandatory body protectors has made people overconfident Jean. There is also a strong feeling that learning to ride in an arena hasn't done people many favours, particularly that they aren't teaching their horses to think for themselves for cross country.
At the lower levels, from what I saw at the weekend, there are clearly far too many people who simply haven't got the skill and/or balance and/or fitness, together with the courage to do it. So many poor horses floundering because they could feel that their riders didn't know what they were doing. So many falls! (though I can't talk!!)
The one at the weekend was a 2012 Olympics Elite Squad member though, so it looks like just an unfortunate accident.
C
When I started formal jumping training (not the stuff I first learned) at a good school, we spent hours doing cross rails and just learning how to be secure over a fence.
At the barn where I take my dressage lessons, the "jumper trainer" has people going over several foot high jumps without any kind of real prep work and minimal flat riding skills. Nothing like how I learned.
One thing I know happens is that mny young riders get bored with the basics, so, in order to keep their customers, the trainers make the jumps higher. They never really learn how to ride but think they do.
That's not true with the top riders--equitation and jumper riders especially--but they have the motivation to put up with all the "drudge work" and practice it takes to learn well and completely. And their trainers make enough money and have the reputations to keep them in business without having to worry about "entertaining" their clients.
I agree Jean. I was drilled over grids with no reins and no stirrups and sometimes with my eyes shut too. I can't judge a stride to this day, because the grids did it for me - but I can usually sit in balance and let the horse do its job!
C
I have some pics of me from a clinic jumping without out stirrups or reins. Good heavens, I look competent!! *G* Used to LOVE jumping. When it works it's like flying! Now and then I really miss it, but I'd have to work so hard on my seat now it would be an effort. (Seat includes, mind you, following the horse over the fence and...oh, yeah...timing the jump right. I too was not good at that.)
Staying on would not be the issue, but staying on well would be.
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