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"....then watching the horses much away at their feed." Sorry... that should read "MUNCH" Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Barb_MSN <[log in to unmask]> To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]> Date: Thursday, December 03, 1998 12:28 PM Subject: Re: horseback riding >Hi Rick... > >I've gotta agree with ya 'bout horseback riding being an excellent >way to exercise - it's a full-body exercise if there ever was one. >AND it's fun! > >As a former horse owner and a trail rider for many years, some of the >most enjoyable times in my life was when I was riding and "piddling >around" our stabling area, either with the horses (we had three....) >or doing just the routine chores that every horse owner has to do >each day. > >Not only is riding's fun and good for one's body, but grooming a >horse, i.e., currying, picking hooves, bathing, exercising, training, >etc., never seemed like work to me, even tho it was a never-ending, >day-by-day chore. I found grooming the horses and maintaining our >stable area to be thoroughly relaxing. There was nothing more >peaceful than perching on top of the corral after a day of riding and >working around the stabling area, then watching the horses much away >at their feed. Even cleaning and oiling tack engendered a >comfortable relaxed feeling. > >My whole family rode - even tho my "ex (we were still married then), >was initially scared to death to even get NEAR a horse. But as our >2 daughters began riding daily with each other or with me, he kinda >felt left out. He started taking riding lessons, and was surprised >to find that not only did he have fun, but had a natural aptitude for >riding (he always was naturally athletic). > >I'd love to ride regularly now - once a week, or even once a month - >but not only are all the livery stables further away than I can >comfortably drive now, the cost for horse rental is Los Angeles is >anywhere from $20 to 35 an hour. Way too costly for me..... > >As for pets being therapeutic, I'd definitely have to agree. My 2 >cats, Buzzy (the world's oldest juvenile-delinquent-kitty!) <he's >SOOO mischievous!> and Scooter (who would spend all day, every day, >sitting on my lap and purring away as we discussed the news of the >day with each other <smile> Uhhh... she also likes being petted at >that time). > >Them kitties are SO good at being "therapeutic," that I bet either >could get a degree as a therapist! <smile> > >One last thing, Rick.... a GERBIL? <grin> > >Barb Mallut >[log in to unmask] > > >But REALLY, > > > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: Rick Hermann <[log in to unmask]> >To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN ><[log in to unmask]> >Date: Thursday, December 03, 1998 10:52 AM >Subject: horseback riding > > >Hi Listfriends, > >Here's an idea for those out there who like me may be in early stages >of >PD, and an idea or two regarding animals. Warning: this message does >not >have anything to do with numbers, dates, tv appearances, Michael J. >Fox, or >research funding. Proceed at risk. > >My son and I have taken up horseback riding on the weekends at a >local >stable with an indoor arena, and I find it a really good way to >"practice" >balance that has been impaired by Parkinson's. Plus it's great >full-body >exercise, believe it or not (you use lots of muscles to balance, >signal to >your horse what you want him to do), second only to swimming in that >respect. And horses are such lovely animals that I am invariably in a >sweet >and calm frame of mind and body after my hour-long session. And it's >not >terribly expensive. > >My only problem is shaking leg by the end of the session. Overall, >it's a >great experience. We've been at it for a couple months and plan to >continue >throughout the winter. > >Pets of almost any kind are therapeutic. I find that I am more >sensitive to >their presence, in a good way, than I was before PD. And they have >things >to teach us. Our three-legged Cocker Spaniel, for example, is >amazingly >good-natured and does not appear to be dwelling on the fact that he's >missing a leg. He's too busy chasing balls and sticks! He's an >in-the-moment guy. He has a loving family and enjoys his life. > >Take a ride, pet a dog, adopt a cat. They give us a lot in return. > >Rick >I was diagnosed in Jan. 1998 and am thinking of adopting a gerbil in >1999. >