Kim had three rounds of chemotherapy between October 6 and Thanksgiving and each treatment left her unable to ride for about a week. Aside from those breaks, she rode twice a week throughout the winter. "I rode in any weather. I was on Henry if it was below zero! I rode in a snowstorm. Even if it was just bareback down the road for 15 minutes, I was on." Kim walked around her neighborhood, trailered Henry for rides on the beach, and rode him into downtown Roxbury. "It's only 2,000 peopl,e and Henry loved the dogs, kids--even the trucks."

Return to Competition
In March, Kim and Henry started taking dressage and jumping lessons again, setting a goal to be ready in May for a Novice Level Combined Test at Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, Conn. They came in eighth. In June, 10 months after her surgery, they won the Novice division at the Mystic Valley Horse Trials in Connecticut and qualified for both the Area One and the first annual American Eventing Championships (AEC).

"Henry was sound, I was fit, and I cried when they handed me the ribbon. We were both still struggling with our problems and recovery and every week brought a surprise in terms of new emotions. Henry was now back on supplements--MSM, CORTA-FLX® and Adequan® when in training--and I had my medication. I used this parallel in our simultaneous recovery to help me stay focused on taking all my own pills every day, exercising and trying to rest at regular intervals--though I'm still not very good at that."

In September, 13 months after her surgery, Kim and Henry competed at the AEC in North Carolina. They finished eighth in the Novice/Amateur Division.

"Henry and I have both seen a big change in our bodies in the years we've been together. I like feeling strong. It gives me a sense of independence and confidence. We found eventing suited us. I enjoy setting goals and competing with myself."

Kim's Tips

Don't decide to get on your horse unless you are ready mentally and physically. "I knew I wasn't ready mentally if my decision was made purely with emotion. If I could back away and look at my situation with common sense and some logic mixed in, I then knew the decision would be right for me."
Be determined to make it--"it" being any challenge (within reason) that crosses your path.
Consider "alternative" means of healing. "I've been seeing my naturopath for 18 years, and I credit him as the main reason (besides my determination) that I'm doing so well today. I believe the supplements he gave me while I was in chemo helped my body flush the chemicals out and kept my immune system intact when my white blood counts were very low"
Choose your friends wisely. "I kept myself away from people who were a negative influence. I didn't tell everyone what I was thinking or doing. I chose one or two people who I knew would help me, not impede my recovery."
Understand that emotional health takes time. "I'm writing this 11 months after my last chemo treatment, and I am still surprised at what feelings continue to surface. See a therapist or counselor if you need to--it's been invaluable for me to have someone I can share my thoughts and feelings with who is not involved in my daily life."

This article is excerpted from Lucinda Dyer's book Back to Work: How to Rehabilitate or Recondition Your Horse, which is chock-full of rehabilitation advice and know-how about horse and human recoveries. To order, call 800-952-5813 or visit HorseBooksEtc.com.