Hi - Am a newbie to the Forum. Bruised an broken and cracked ribs; broken sternum; dislocated jaw. Did it two years ago. Whilst mounting my horse - had him positioned in a darn stupid place, he spooked and went on a real buckeroo. I was half up to mounting, foot in the stirrup and being thrumped against the pommel. That was verree painful. Well, got him to eventually stand still and got my foot out of the stirrup. Couldn't leave him like that, as he was in a worse state of nerves than myself! So, we both calmed down, I remounted and went on a two-miler. Came back, unsaddled, turned him out into his pasture. Went home. Received a call to attend a birthday party at my neighbours' place. Tidied up. Went to party. Feeling pretty ropey I might add. Returned home late and took some (more) pain killers.

Got my face back to normal by working on it - it was only out by about a half inch odd; bruised ribs took about two weeks, cracked about two months and broken about three months - that is, to be completely healed up and NOT hurt when I laughed or coughed or turned over in bed . Sternum? Still broke and bothers me some temps en temp - especially if pressed. Why the heck would I want to press my sternum? To check it out...~<:o

Nowt anyone can do about bruised, cracked, broken ribs let alone sternum. Had a chest X-Ray the other month (hefty chest infection) sternum cockeyed with a fatty lump over it. The radiologist said: 'Normal for that to happen to a broken sternum.' I explained 'what' had happened and he said: 'par for the course, see it all too often wih you riders!'

Bit into another thread here - Riding. Ellie, how do you cope?

Wanted to post ref riding. Wanted to know IF any one rode with this AS? Had a mammoth flare last summer. Felt like the mother and father of one, couldn't even weed the garden and looking after my small menagerie was... We won't go there. suffice to say - you've prob heard it all before and no doubt been to places that I hope I will *never have to travel to.

How do you horse riders manage? I visited friends in the US and rode out with them, but apart frm one very very smooth mount, it was pretty much unmitigated hell.

So, how do I manage? Well, for one I only ride soft gaited horses (Peruvian Pasos, TWH etc). My horse is a TWH, a youngster and for the moment is turned away. He's now turned 5.5yrs and will bring him back into work next month - I face doing so with much trepidation. He is pretty hard pacey, the very opposite of smooth, which could really put the bejeez into my neck.

I must not bore the pants off you guys, but was very much wanting to ask about exercise, like riding. Yes. Checked out the Exercise thread, but all golf an ball games! Then saw Ellie mention 'riding'.

Anyway, my name is Molly. I am pretty ancient and was diagnosed AS last summer. Got this flare an didn't know what the heck it was all about, so went to the quack with my head clamped down on my chest. Only way I could hold it up was to lift it up Oh man, was I in a state *and about to book this holiday - to 'celebrate' a friend being back in the saddle after his eye surgery for detached retina. Well, the quack is fairly clued up and he 'directed' me to this Forum. Bully for him.

So, here I am. Having lurked for a few months, light bulbs popping as I track down all the threads and read all that you amazing bunch of people cope with. Hats off. I am in awe of you all.

Heigh. This is a book at bedtime. Must let you guys go. Great to make contact - and 'yes' to the lady who posted about her sternum (can't see her post for the name at the moment, apologies); go see the medic, a broken sternum is painful. No harm done in checking it out with him and it will help you.

Molly C (UK)

'Go Well, Stay Well' (old Zulu greeting)






Mollyc1i - Newbie

MollyC1i - Riding OutAS