Hi there,

Just curious if this forum is still active as the last post I can see is from over a year ago.

I had lap band surgery 6 months ago and Im having trouble finding my balance in the saddle. Wondering if anyone else has experienced anything simular?

:)

Hi Everyone,

New here - it's my first post! I am looking to get lap band and have my first appointment on Friday so I'm starting to get nervous cause reality is setting in.  From here, I imagine it'll only be a few months till the surgery as long as all the insurance stuff goes smoothly. Anyway... I am 25 and have always ridden/owned horses since I was 6 years old and also always been fat.  I have, a few times in my life, been told I was too large to ride at certain barns, made to feel bad that the horse would go lame because of me, etc. but I've owned several horses and never had an issue with them so I think most of that is bull (usually weigh around 250.) 

So, I just bought a new horse last month for the first time since my old guy died nearly 5 years ago and even though I've ridden, taken lessons, and leased in the time between then and now, there's nothing like owning one of your own again.

I'm wondering about riding after lap band. Riding is my primary form of exercise and my biggest enjoyment and I hope I won't have to give it up for too long but I'm pretty paranoid that if I do ride it'll be horribly painful forever or mess something up. I know, dumb fears. And of course I'm going to talk to the surgeon about it but I wanted to ask here since some of you have to have ridden after lap band or RNY.  

Definitely looking forward to hanging out here more and talking about horses. This is an excellent forum.

Don't Cutback saddles go to 21 inches?  It's been a long time since I've ridden in one (started out on ASBs) but I thought the seat sizes went bigger than hunt saddles.  Of course you are sitting farther back so maybe what looks like a bigger saddle really isn't.

Hey.  I just thought I would see how you are doing?  It has been a while since we talked.  Anything new with you?  Did you return that bitless bridle?  My husband and I laughed and laughed at the way you said...."Have to tell you the bitless bridle is getting returned."   We were laughing because we know where your coming from!!  Horses are such turds!  You can't be good to them...they won't let you.  Every time we try to go that extra little mile to make them more comfortable, more happy or anything....they take advantage of you!!!  How is your mother?  I have been thinking about her.  Your both in my prayers.  Anyway, I hope to hear from you soon!!  Cindy

I copied this poem, you might have read it before.  I really like it...thought you might like to see it.

When I am Old...

I shall wear diamonds

And a wide brimmed straw hat

With silver and leather on it

and I shall spend my social security

On white wine and carrots

And sit in the alley of my barn

And listen to my horses breathe.

 

I will sneak out

in the middle of a summer's night

And ride the chestnut mare

Across the moonstruck meadow

If my old bones will allow.

When people come to call I will smile and nod

As I walk them past the gardens to the barn

And show, instead, the beauty growing there

In stalls fresh-lined with straw.

I will shovel and sweat and

Wear hay in my hair as if it were a jewel.

And I will be an embarrassment to all

Who look down on me.

They've not yet found the peace in being free

To love a horse as a friend,

A friend who waits at midnight hour

With muzzle and nicker and patient eyes

For the kind of women I will be

When I am Old.