Francis got a light week post-Blue Rock. Partially by design to let him recuperate after working hard, partially because work was crazy and I was playing catch-up from being out of the office, and partially because I couldn’t really breathe properly.
See, in true Olivia fashion, I managed to bash myself in the chest SUPER hard with the butt end of my crop while at Swan Lake. Adrenaline carried me through the rest of the show, but it started hurting more and more acutely. Laughing, sneezing, coughing, and taking deep breaths all caused pretty severe pain. As did turning my steering wheel with my left arm. All of which I basically ignored because ugh whatever.
But then I hopped on for a hard ride over the weekend, and had to quit early since I couldn’t catch my breath. No deep breaths = getting winded WAY too quickly. I’m only willing to ignore things until they interfere with my riding, so I went in for medical attention.
The good news: there’s no fracture! Hooray for keeping my bones intact.
The “eh” news: there’s a deep bone contusion, and the treatment is basically the same as if I’d fractured an upper rib. Hooray!
I’m now on a medication to manage the inflammation and resulting pain, another for the resulting muscle spasms, and get to play with a fun toy called an incentive spirometer 4x a day for the next 10 days to make sure I don’t get pneumonia.
The especially fun part is that breathing deeply is still painful (though the anti-inflammatory helps a TON). Don’t injure anything near your lungs, kids. It’s annoying.
Luckily I’m medicated and on the mend, so we can get back to our regular training program without lurking fears of a punctured lung. Sorry Francis, hope you enjoyed your break while it lasted. Your mama is broken, but not broken enough to stay out of the saddle.
YeeeeOUCH. Heal fast, lady!
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It’s always something with horses, right?!
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Ow ow ow! That sucks. Glad you’re on the mend now, though!
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Me too, it was getting super annoying not being able to breath haha
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OUCH!
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Definitely ouch! Much better now though 🙂
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OMG wow! That has to hurt really badly! So glad the anti-inflammatory drugs are helping, but DAMN. Rest up and feel better!
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Helping SO much- I was able to actually get some good work done with Frankie last night 🙂
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Random question for you, because I feel like we have similar work/life demands… Do you cross train/work out (other than riding?). If so, is that helping you move up the levels? I ride 6 days a week (with a couple lessons) and am trying to up my riding game to match my mare’s athleticism, and feel like I have NO TIME on weekdays. It feels like I have to choose between riding or working out.I need some motivation to get my ass in gear, so any tips/strategies you use would be much appreciated!
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Random questions are my favorite 😉 I’m totally with you- between working and commuting, it’s HARD to find time to work out during the week. I try to use my lunch break to hit the gym when possible (my office gives me access to a small one), but I end up working through lunch pretty often. I do have a standing desk which helps a ton for keeping me fidgeting and active, and I make a point to do squats every time I take a break. Given the choice between working out and riding, I do always choose riding (it’s way more fun, duhhh). For me it’s the little things that add up more so than dedicated gym time: standing at work, little exercises throughout the day, making a point to walk more, taking stairs, etc. Frankie is also the type that makes me work hard, so even our short rides usually make me sore. So I guess the short version is: I don’t usually actively crosstrain but I do make a point of doing strength exercises daily, and it has absolutely helped us move up the levels! My fitness is lightyears better now than it was when I got Francis and it has for sure led to better rounds 🙂
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Crops are dangerous! I’ve caught myself under the chin a few times, and that was no picnic, but nothing like what you did to yourself! Hope you’re healed up quickly!
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This is the first time I’ve managed to injure myself while staying on the horse hahaha. Already on the mend 🙂
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i have hit myself in the eye before with my crop. DONT ASK. LOL I shouldnt even be trusted with the crops 🙂 glad you are okay and yowze take care 🙂 That sucks…
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They’re unpredictable and dangerous! And here I was, thinking the horses were what I had to be careful with 😉
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Welcome to da clubbbbb.
But, uh, ow.
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Why does riding hurt us so. Why.
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Heal quickly!!!
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Thank you! Well on my way 🙂
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My grandmother had one of those things, and I actually loved playing with it when I was a kid, trying to get the ball as high as I could inside. I never knew what it was actually for!
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Hahaha it’s way less fun as an adult
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Oh geez that’s so intense!! 😱
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Lamest way to hurt myself ever haha
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