Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
![]() That's NOT me; that's Homer Simpson. For those of you that aren't regular readers, I got dumped pretty hard in May at a show and hit my head. If you'd like to read about it, click here. I was pretty sore for a few days, but I didn't go to the doctor since it was really just a bunch of bruises and nothing felt broken. My neck was pretty sore, but it got better each day and after a week, it didn't hurt anymore. Without a medical degree, I couldn't be 100% positive, but I was pretty certain I had sustained a whiplash (Cervical acceleration-deceleration). Two weeks ago I met with Tina Hoover, a saddle fitter, and had my saddle's flocking adjusted. The saddle was riding too high in the front on Speedy G so she adjusted it so that it would sit lower in the front. Within two rides on the saddle, I developed moderate neck pain. By Friday, I had non-stop neck pain accompanied by a pretty decent headache. I called the chiropractor. I love my chiropractor. If you live near Bakersfield and need a good chiropractor, Dr. Brendan Bradley is your guy (661-617-6160). He is beyond awesome. I probably like him so much because each time I see him he first asks how my life is going and then he wants to know which horse has done what to me. This visit was no exception. I explained the fall from Speedy and the later saddle adjustment. His look of concern made me worry that my earlier decision to not see him right away was a mistake. Given the injury site, he felt that an X-ray was prudent. As soon as he flicked on the backlight, even I could tell that my neck wasn't right. No wonder it hurt! And no, that's not me up above! If I hadn't been so worried about my neck, I would have snapped a photo of my X-ray. Dr. Bradley would have thought it funny! The X-ray showed several vertebrae that were definitely out of alignment. Dr. Bradley confirmed that what he was seeing was classic whiplash. I also complained that my right leg was feeling shorter than usual. He explained that being shorter on one side is also typical of a whiplash. The adjustment was painful, but I am a bit of a baby when he has to do my neck. The instant the adjustment was done, my neck felt so much better. The headache also disappeared, and after a quick check, he determined that my right leg was now even with the left. I asked him why my neck didn't hurt until just recently. He thought it was highly possible that the adjustment on my saddle was enough to alter my spine's position in such a way that those vertebrae that were already mis-aligned really started to complain. When I rode in the saddle the next day, I was able to drop the right stirrup down a hole, and I felt that I could sit deeper in the saddle. Moral of the Story: if you get your saddle adjusted to fit your horse, you might also need to get yourself adjusted to fit the saddle!
Karen
7/2/2012 08:07:26 am
I am the same as you are, Kelly; I only go when I am about to die in agony. It drives my chiropractor nuts! I know I'll feel better for having gone in, but I still wait until it almost hurts too much to make the adjustment. He's on vacation right now, but I need a follow up visit when he gets back at the end of the week. Will I go? Probably not! :0) Hubby may force the issue though as he's tired of my whining.
lytha
7/2/2012 07:00:28 am
oh, you got your head x-rayed too! i did a few months back when that standardbred gave me a sprained neck by whacking my face with his neck. i was totally enthralled at seeing my skull for the first time. i asked if i coudl keep it and they said no. but maybe if i ask again? i couldn't drive a car cuz i couldn't turn my head easily so i got three days off, woo!
Karen
7/2/2012 08:19:39 am
Unfortunately, Lytha, I have had my head x-rayed numerous times! :0)
Karen
7/2/2012 09:08:51 am
LOL! That response would get a serious eye roll. :0) He is always certain something on me is about to disintegrate! Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI am a lifelong rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010. Welcome to my dressage journey. About Speedy GSpeedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
About IzzyIzzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
National Rider AwardsState Rider Awards
State Horse Awards
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2023 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic 2023 Show Schedule
TBD 2023 Completed … Pending 2023 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Training Level 3 Scores/2 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Score 3: Archives
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