Hi everyone,
I guess it might be easier to start with the question, and then follow with the background.
Put simply, do you know anyone with epilepsy who trail rides or rides horses regularly? If yes, what precautions do you take?
Here's the background. I had my 2nd seizure in Jan 2008. At the time, obviously driving was out for a while. Prior to the seizure I had gotten into horseback riding (I have my wife to thank for getting bitten with the bug). Once I was formally diagnosed with epilepsy (the 1st seizure had a LOT of alcohol involved :X so I wrote it off as a one time thing) naturally horseback riding also got put on the shelf.
The good news is that I decided to take lemons and make lemonade. I spent all of 2008 working with my horse entirely on the ground and building my relationship with her (6 year old mare named Freckles, btw). Using natural horsemanship methods, my experience with her was nothing short of amazing (at least to me). Getting your horse to come to you, circle, and back up with simply a look or a gesture (and no lead line) seemed like a Vegas fantasy to me prior to that year.
Anyway, fast forward to January of this year and my wife and I had agreed that I would consider riding again with the following constraints:
- Always wear a helmet (easy to do, since I was already).
- Always have my wife or someone else aware of my condition riding with or near me.
- Use special stirrups that would prevent my feet being tangled should I seize (and lose consciousness) and fall off.
We haven't ordered the stirrups yet, but I have started riding at the barn only, but we've begun to contemplate trail rides and thus why I'm posting here. Beyond the precautions I've mentioned, we both wanted to get some feedback as to whether there is anything else we should consider or if anyone knows of good protocols to follow to respect my seizure disorder.
Here's the kicker, the kind of seizures I've experienced thus far have given me zero warning (that I'm aware of) in the form of auras or any other cues. I also lose consciousness. Now, while on the Keppra, I have yet to have another seizure.
So with that lengthy background in mind, anyone with thoughts or suggestions are definitely welcome.
Thanks in advance for the feedback!
Lance
I guess it might be easier to start with the question, and then follow with the background.
Put simply, do you know anyone with epilepsy who trail rides or rides horses regularly? If yes, what precautions do you take?
Here's the background. I had my 2nd seizure in Jan 2008. At the time, obviously driving was out for a while. Prior to the seizure I had gotten into horseback riding (I have my wife to thank for getting bitten with the bug). Once I was formally diagnosed with epilepsy (the 1st seizure had a LOT of alcohol involved :X so I wrote it off as a one time thing) naturally horseback riding also got put on the shelf.
The good news is that I decided to take lemons and make lemonade. I spent all of 2008 working with my horse entirely on the ground and building my relationship with her (6 year old mare named Freckles, btw). Using natural horsemanship methods, my experience with her was nothing short of amazing (at least to me). Getting your horse to come to you, circle, and back up with simply a look or a gesture (and no lead line) seemed like a Vegas fantasy to me prior to that year.
Anyway, fast forward to January of this year and my wife and I had agreed that I would consider riding again with the following constraints:
- Always wear a helmet (easy to do, since I was already).
- Always have my wife or someone else aware of my condition riding with or near me.
- Use special stirrups that would prevent my feet being tangled should I seize (and lose consciousness) and fall off.
We haven't ordered the stirrups yet, but I have started riding at the barn only, but we've begun to contemplate trail rides and thus why I'm posting here. Beyond the precautions I've mentioned, we both wanted to get some feedback as to whether there is anything else we should consider or if anyone knows of good protocols to follow to respect my seizure disorder.
Here's the kicker, the kind of seizures I've experienced thus far have given me zero warning (that I'm aware of) in the form of auras or any other cues. I also lose consciousness. Now, while on the Keppra, I have yet to have another seizure.
So with that lengthy background in mind, anyone with thoughts or suggestions are definitely welcome.
Thanks in advance for the feedback!
Lance