As all passionate riders can attest, if anything happens in our lives to disrupt our being able to ride our beloved horses, even temporarily, it can be tough to handle. But if the disruption is due to a sudden or ongoing physical challenge, the difficulty only increases. We miss the smell of the barn, the time spent grooming our horse and definitely our connection once we’re in the saddle.
When A-list actress Selma Blair (Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde, American Crime Story) was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in August 2018, she was optimistic that she could continue riding her grey gelding Mr. Nibbles. An avid rider prior to her MS diagnosis, Blair competed in the hunter/jumper ring, training with Kelly Jennings from Cellar Door Equestrian in California. Blair has documented her journey with MS on social media and in various interviews, never shying away from the physical and emotional toll the disease has had on her life and that of her young son.
And like so many of us horse lovers, Blair’s devotion to her horse and riding was evident in her many posts over the past two years. There were visits to the barn just to spend time with her horse and fellow equestrians, there were horse shows to watch her coach compete on Mr. Nibbles. But mounting up to ride herself seemed too much.