Hello Everyone, I am new to the boards here at OBHelp. I have been learning so much about all the different kinds of WLS and have a date of 10/12 for my surgery. I have been riding for many years, have a small ran*****entral Florida, (everything seems to be okay from the last two hurricanes - havent heard from my horse/house-sitter since Jeanne hit last night) and love to ride and care for horses. I am in San Clemente now on an extra long vacation, any horse people in southern Cal? anita pierce spoiled rottn' ranch sorrento, fl

Hi, Lynn ! I want to wish you luck on your surgery - in less than two weeks! You must be getting excited and probably a little nervous. It sure will seem worth it when you are once again able to ride like you know you can. One advantage us hunt seat riders have is that even the skinny girls usually use a mounting block, so no one ever looked at me funny when I needed one because I was too fat too get my butt up there. Even now, within 15 pounds of my goal, I would have to drop my stirrup a good 6 inches to mount from the ground. (Which I would do if I needed to remount in the field and didn't have a convenient rock, but why put the strain on my old knees and my mare's back when there's a mounting block handy?) I'm hoping to start showing again next year, as soon as I get in synch with my new horse. More than that, though, I look forward to trail riding with friends. Best Wishes on your surgery. I'll keep you in my prayers. Deb

Hey, hey, hey to all you horse lovers out there. I had a "horsey" breakthrough about a month ago. I started trying to ride again after about 3 months after my WLS. I was just too heavy before that. Then when I did start I was so frustrated because I couldn't get on without assistance of a step of some sort. Really aggrivated me to no end. I've ridden all my life and I couldn't get my big butt on my horse. Well, wise husband that I have assured me to just be patient and it would come in time and sure enough!!!! It Did!!! I rode again last night and it's getting easier each time. Thank goodness I have a patient horse too. He just stands and lets me groan and lift. But I will do better each time. Tina

wow, what a great thing !!!!!!!!! itoo notice that for me my seat and my security with riding has changed, my horses dont freak out when i come up on them ( just kidding ) but no, my seat is more secure and yeah , i noticed the center of gravit thing too, doesnt it feel wonderfull!! to be able to get up , and know that if your horse starts pitching, your weight will not help to throw you !!! youre doing something i have always dreamed of, i mean , i do mild jumps out on trail rides, over a log , or similar, but not "real" jumping ... been thinking about it more and more .... someday soon.... a word on trainers, sounds like you have a good one working with you ! not every trainer is ideal for every rider, and it would be foolish to think theat it would, but when you find one who can help you through , thant you know you got a good horse partner ! Beth 340-220-180 10 months out

Hi Emily I know what you're going through being "too fat" to ride school horses. I had that happen about 5 years ago, and went on a liquid diet until I was able to ride again. Of course the weight came back, but by that time I had bought my own big, beautiful mare and could ride anyway. Bad move, my center of balance was way off, and I ended up breaking my left humerus 3 times last summer. My riding has improved dramatically since my RNY (per my trainer), but the fear from the injuries last summer are still there. Unfortunately, Libby could sense the fear, and our partnership never recovered. I re-broke the humerus and had to have surgery last week to put in plate/screws/bone graft... The good news is that the arm is feeling wonderful for only being 12 days out from 6 hours of surgery. The bad news is that I know that I will never be comfortable riding Libby again, and am in the process of selling her and downsizing to a nice, patient gelding. I will miss my beautiful girl, but the joy of riding a horse that I can get past my fears with will make up for the loss. Only another 6-10 weeks until I can ride again! That freedom that comes in the saddle was a wonderful motivator for me going through my surgery. Hopefully, you'll be back in the saddle in a few months, too. (Oh, and I'm now skinnier than the person who told me, non too gently, that I was "too fat" to ride. I love the irony!) Deb