Hey horse person!!!!
I've just found this post, and the mention of the word HORSES ...so had an extra reason to welcome you. This reply is mostly about horses as related to balance issues.
Glad to have you, (if you've got to be anywhere, this is the place to be if you have an AN). I went horseback riding 3 days before my radiosurgery, (which was Tuesday December 1, 2009--yep, four days ago!!!) and am going to go at the end of next week for the first time since the radiosurgery.
I've ridden (walk/trot only) all along, even as my balance has worsened because even though I've been having (and of course, still have) balance issues, I have already found out that I am better on a horse than off it, which is the greatest excuse in the world to be at the barn where the horse I ride stays. My biggest issue has been driving, because I feel "carsick" a lot from the balance issues, and it makes it hard to drive sometimes...driving while drinking Pepto Bismol and eating soda crackers is hard to do, messy, and not safe. But guess what?, after I ride, I dont feel carsick for about 2-3 hours.
On my horses, I'm actually totally stable, and strangely , there is no dizziness no carsickness or balance issues unless i completely close my eyes...and even then i can compensate better on horse than off horse.
I find the movement of the horse (forward/back and side to side) during the walk forces me to work my core muslcles, which of course help with body support and balance. So physically and mentally and spiritually beiing on a horse is the most therapeutic place i can be. This rhythmic movement is what makes horses so effective in hippotherapy programs for disabled/injured adults and kids. Trotting is a little harder for me if I post, but sitting trot seems be just fine. I am doing a lot of working iin figure 8 patterns since this helps me use my lower body to turn the horse correctly (vs see sawing with the reins). Am also having a friend always be present when I ride, just to be safe, and I ALWAYS wear my helmet.
I havent read all the other responses to you yet, but did you know that there are licensed physical therapists who are using horses to help folks with balance issues? If you are interested, I can get you the weblinks to associations who might help that way.
And of course, there are great physical therapists who specialize in vestibular (balance) therapy. My doc in Florida recommended that I seek that option if my balance issues continue.. Right now, I'm waiting...siince it's only been 4 days since my radiosurgery. But be sure and ask your doctor about your concerns and possible need for vestibular therapy prior to your treatement so they can discuss it with you BEFORE you start feeling frantic/pressured/etc. (PS..actually try NOT to feel frantic/pressured..it makes the physical issues worse, I swear)
Also, there is a thread somewhere on this forum with some really great balance exercises that I've been using (and was using prior to my radiosurgery) that I found helpful.. it's like my body would get wonky, off kilter, but if i just keep doing the exercises, after a couple of days i'll suddenly notice a slight improvement/compensation. So patience and persistence in doing these exercises helps me a LOT. Look in the forum area under the BALANCE areaand you should fiind some good ones, and i know other people will chime in with suggestions as well.
Off topic (forgive me Moderators)....what kind of horses to you ride, type of riding, where do you ride, do you own or lease or beg/borrow horses? How long have you been riding? I'm a senior citizen (57 year old body, 17 year old attitude) who has always been around horses on the ground and took up riding 2 or so years ago, and am even more horse crazy now. I also work with horses using Parelli (and other natural horsemanship) techniques to teach ground manners to horses who might be candidates for work in therapy programs similar to the balance programs i mentioned above.
Good luck, and welcome.
