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Thomas D’Arcy O’Donnell's avatar

Learned to Drive behind heavy horses .. worked with most all ‘Types of Horse - never been kicked in my life - but stepped on or bitten ? Yes ! Nothing at catastrophic level - such as you .. though a runaway fridge did a job trying to crush one foot - horrifying ‘angled dent & the woman I may have saved & she barfed upon seeing it when they got the fridge ‘off of us .. she was so badly concussed though !

Holy Hell but have you Suffered ! Your middle name ‘Persevere by any chance ? 🦎🏴‍☠️💋

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Thanks Thomas. These were half-Percheron, and boy where they big. I'd do it again, but next time with steel-toed boots!

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Jan M. Flynn's avatar

After having my feet stepped on a few times by well-meaning horses at the horse rescue where I volunteered for years, I got myself steel-toed boots. Several of my horsey friends cautioned me about that, saying that if a horse stomped on my foot the steel would effectively amputate some of my toes. I figured that if a horse was going to stomp on me, I had bigger things to worry about than my toes so I wore 'em anyway. My toes were way less nervous.

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Thomas D’Arcy O’Donnell's avatar

my teens were mixed farm settings SW Ontario Canada eh .. lotsa room albeit bridling might become chasing squirrels if a tractor backfired .. & surely you read my Royal Winter Fair Post - though the rascals were ‘only Morgan’s ! I looked after the big lads at University Of Guelph - Post Op or Procedure one year ! my 2nd or 3rd Union Job !

The creatures intoxicate me .. supercharge the zone - my first actual living memory is a dray horse snuffling me - in someone’s arms ! Yo ‘Queenie ! I salute You ! 🦎🏴‍☠️💋

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Sometimes I think so. That said, next horse trip, stronger boots!!

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Maureen Elyse Gilbert's avatar

Congratulations- so happy for you and 💯 to learning to live with the pain and treat it like a background thrum. My PT suggests we call it sensation instead of pain. Takes the negative connotation out of the experience.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

I am almost there Maureen. Great suggestion.

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Carol A Haase's avatar

OMG!!! Thanks for the history ! You are double-y impressive!

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Caroline Smrstik's avatar

“This past summer I decided to stop trying to stop the pain and accept that I will likely live with it the rest of my life. Let it become a hum in the background and get out and do all of life that I can anyway.”

THIS. Most people I know (including my robustly healthy husband) will never understand this.

Elated to hear you’re running again! 🩷

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Randy Roig's avatar

Congratulations on being able to run again! When my knees and joints gave up on me in my late 40s and I could not run anymore, I wondered how I was going to stay in aerobic condition. Even now, with replacement knees, I am not able to run. So, my choice has been to do walking, supplemented by either an exercise bike or elliptical stepper with a screen program to both provide varied resistance and eliminate boredom. The stepper in particular has really helped with my aerobics and allows me to do my long steep walks with reasonable aerobics. I have no idea how well those choices might work with your repaired feet…

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Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

Holy smokes, those photos spoke louder than words! I can't imagine.

Congratulations on running again! I know from one measley knee injury that even crossing legs can be a monumental achievement! Good for you, Julia!

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NancyL's avatar

What fantastic news!! Go you - I’m jogging very slowly behind you, cheering you on!! My latest seems to be the ankle without much ligament left, and the PT has given me a nerve glide to help it. Whatever it takes to stay on my pins.

Celebrating with you!!!

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Sue Kusch's avatar

Congrats! What an accomplishment! Foot pain can be so debilitating.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

I have much more empathy for people dealing with this it's very humbling.

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Jan M. Flynn's avatar

When I'm tempted to wimp out, Julia, I call you to mind.

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Noel Minneci's avatar

I’m so happy for you!

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Donna McArthur's avatar

Well done Julia! This is a great reminder to keep showing up. So often we will find anything to use and excuse not to do the things we love and make ourselves miserable in the process. Onward!

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