Ataxia Research --- ---- Scotland, UK

Comment

Comment by Iain Stevenson on October 18, 2010 at 5:52pm

Thanks for the link Carol. I'm going to pass this on to a lad who I was carer for who has a disability and loves horses. I used to take him horse riding every week for a number of years and I believe he still attends on a weekly basis. He regularly uses his computer mainly to play various games but this is something that I'm sure will give him an extra interest.

There is a link on this site headed 'riding-for-the-disabled' that I'm sure will be of good interest to him. Thanks Carol. Iain

Comment by Carol Gow on October 18, 2010 at 3:45pm

Hello Iain
The horse moves the same way we do (not as Ataxians) that is why so much good comes from riding. It's not rocket science I'm sure you could do it .Cornering is the worst because the horse moves so quickly. It was strange at first because you ride normally using your legs and feet. Due to the fact we are as we are, control of all areas is done with the reins. The reins are held low, they are normally just in front of the saddle at the bottom of the neck.The inclination is to hold on to them for 'dear life', held too tight they upset the horse. Given they are around the head area this is not surprising. All 'Riding for the Disabled' horses are rein trained.
The saddle gives you a lot of support.
Dismounting caused me a problem. As I am sure you are aware one foot remains in a stirrup and your leg swings around the back of the horse to the floor, the other foot is then taken out of the stirrup.Being Ataxian I can't hold the weight on one leg and swinging around the back (you have to lean forward to do this properly) just didn't wok. What I do with help is lift my leg over the horses' neck, take my foot out of the stirrup and slide down until I reach the floor.All the time there is someone there in case I fall.The RDA are wonderful, if my riding ended tomorrow I couldn't complain, they gave me a chance.
Riding gives me my life back, it makes me feel like everyone else. The horse does that and I am grateful for every moment. The horse I ride is called Peaches' and she loves rich-tea biscuits. This link shows you the horses
http://www.ridingatthebrook.co.uk/horses.html
I am keeping an open mind about the sounds and when I next ride (Thursday) I will have a good think.

Comment by Iain Stevenson on October 18, 2010 at 3:50am

Thats good feedback Carol. You mentioned how you have to be able to move left or right and straighten up. This is an example of how I do the balancing excercises on my feet by moving from one side to the other while trying not to fall over over. I would imagine that it would be harder sitting on a horse especially when it goes round corners.

Maybe the constant clip clop of the horse would enable you to keep your balance better when you are riding. I say this because it's the woops' sound I mentioned in my last post that enables me to keep better balance when moving just as it was explained to me before I did the experiment trials.

Maybe subconsciously this is enabling you to horse ride? I could never imagine myself riding a horse without falling off. However, I now believe I can.

Great stuff Carol thanks. Iain

Comment by Carol Gow on October 17, 2010 at 3:56pm

Hello Iain
Not at all relevant to your thread but worth mentioning. Well I think so.
When I go horse-riding during the session I have to do exercises whilst sitting on the horse (it is stationary). Arms above head, arms outstretched, arms crossed rotate the trunk,first to the left and then to the right, and the best of all hold out one arm, say the right then lean to the right without leaving the saddle. Then do the latter with the other side. I hasten to add everything is done under strict supervision. The rider is very safe. If you manage that to the required standard you ride for a short while without stirrups .Now that is scary (I now know what a red-indian feels like) but it does your legs/feet the world of good. I suppose it is all done to see what your balance is like.You have to lean slightly going around corners, it wouldn't do if you leant and couldn't straighten.
If you can't manage then you will have constant supervision. If you can manage then you can use the indoor arena. Here there are instructors but they walk or run beside you whilst you do what they tell you. Others are taken on a lead rope with people at their side.
Regards
Carol

Comment by Iain Stevenson on October 17, 2010 at 7:22am

I met Jon at Edinburgh University on 10th Oct and not 3dr As I mentioned. It was a very positive day for me as I was able to see the sights of Edinburgh as well as taking part in the research project.

Basically the test is to help improve balance and coordination by using sounds. After a few questions about my background and tests that confirm the balance problems I have, Jon continued with the balance test.

This began standing with legs slightly apart and swaying slowly form the middle to the right and then back to the left. I tried this a few times and found it very difficult each time. I was then to do the same excercise using a 'woops' high pitch kind of sound. I had to move in time with the noise and found it much easier to control my balance while doing so. As my balance was very poor Jon and my wife Elaine stood at either side of me with a hand held out for me to touch for extra safety and security.

This I am sure is the Hypothesis of Jon's study ie, movement and balance can be controled better with the use of sounds. I found this to be a lot easier and began to feel more secure when moving.

The next stage of the experiment was to do the same swaying from side to side excesises without the sounds. I had to imagine in my head either the same 'woops' sounds or choose my own. The more I was doing the tests the better I became. The outcome for the future I believe is to teach your body over time how to control balance and movement better. The same method can be used to control arm movement as well

I now do the excersises at home and hope to gain from this experience. Only time will tell. I'll keep you posted over the next one or two months of my progress. Iain

Moderator Comment by Alan Thomas on September 30, 2010 at 5:51am

Thats GREAT
looking forward to your feedback

Alan

Comment by Iain Stevenson on September 29, 2010 at 4:18pm

Hi Alan and all,

Just letting you know that I will be taking part in Jon's balance measurement research project at Edinburgh University. I am meeting him there at around 12 oclock Sun 3rd Oct. I will post back to let you know of the outcome. Iain.