We know horse riding can be a risky sport but what if you have a condition that makes injury even easier than usual?

Today I speak to Vicki Hoben who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and also dystonia.

We speak about the syndrome and how it affects her daily life and how horse riding has been a massive help in managing that condition

The joy that horses have brought Vicki over the years

How Vicky never wants to stop and a big reason that she refuses to stop

We then speak about the process of getting diagnosed and how difficult it is to get diagnosed and that many people are misdiagnosed with other conditions

We also talk about neurodivergence and the difference just knowing can make to your mental health

She also talks about the importance of having different people around you, ones who will be kind to you in difficult times and those who will give you a kick on

She then speaks about the different classifications for para-riding and how her recent diagnosis of dystonia changes her classification

Vicki also speaks openly about the toll these conditions can take on your mental health and how harmful it can be to refer to someone as "not disabled enough"

This has lit a fire in her belly to stand up and fight for all disabled people so they have a voice and are not held back from anything

Vicki recommends these societies to help when you are looking to get diagnosed:

https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-eds/

https://www.ehlers-danlos.org/what-is-eds/

We then talk about Vicki's future plans and she has an amazing piece of advice at the end for you all

If you want to keep up with Vicki, you can find her:

Instagram: @vickihobanparaequestrian

If you are interested in working with me you can find me :