The Broken Leg Diary: Connecting Yoga, Horses, and Recovery

Photo by Alicia Mae Equine and Dog Photography

Six weeks. That’s what I was told it would take to heal my broken leg.

It happened so quickly; one moment I was stepping off my horse, and the next, I heard the unmistakable pop of my bone breaking. In an instant, my life changed. I knew I wasn’t walking away from this one.

I’ve always been a little scared of falling off, but I never imagined it would happen like this— no wild bucking or dramatic toss—just a goofy moment, a bad step. And now, here I am, figuring out how to recover, not just physically but mentally, too. Because healing after an injury is about more than just the bones; it's about rebuilding confidence and trust, especially when it involves a horse.

I have two horses: Simba is a steady, solid boy who’s as gentle as they come, and then there's the more energetic, sassy one, Skyler, my little mischief maker, the one I had the issue with. But even with my broken leg, I don’t feel fear when I think of him. I love him just the same; he’s my beautiful bay mustang. I still see him as one of my best buddies, and I know we’ll ride together again. A few days ago, while standing in the barn, something magical happened; only a horse person would get this. Skyler looked me straight in the eyes, a familiar look when he is asking me something, but at that moment, I said aloud, “I forgive you,” and I stroked his neck. What happened next surprised me: he yawned, his body relaxed, and the tension I hadn’t even realized he was holding onto released. His eyes softened, and his head went down.

Simba - Photo by Alicia Mae Equine and Dog Photography

He was ready for a nice brush and enjoyed our time together. He, too, was worried. I’m still not able to ride him, but at that moment, I knew that our bond was still intact, and the magnitude of seeing the ambulance roll into the arena to help me and me not getting off the ground to come to him made a huge impact.

This is the power of grounding and being mindful with our horse friends. It’s about being present with them—seeing their needs and giving them the same space to heal that we need to heal ourselves. And with a little magic, letting that happen in partnership.

Yoga in the Ambulance

Now, as I spend six weeks in recovery,

I want to share how yoga has been my companion through this process. Yoga is not just for flexibility or strength; it’s a powerful tool for healing and grounding, especially when you’re stuck in a situation where you feel helpless or frustrated. For instance, not sure where your horse went while you lay on the ground holding your leg too scared to let it go, and hoping your horse is not running like a wild man around the arena (which Skyler was not; he stood like a statue).

When I broke my leg, I didn’t just want to use yoga to aid in my physical pain; I needed to stay mentally present, too. I needed to know what was happening around me; I hadn’t found that safe space yet. The pain was intense, and I remember crying. At the same time, the paramedics figured out how to get me in the ambulance, worried about how much my life would change and the big goals I had for taking Goldie, a seven-year-old mustang mare, to the Mustang Champions challenge in Las Vegas in July (another story to share, so please stay tuned!). But yoga’s breathing techniques helped me stay calm and grateful. I thanked the paramedics a million times for helping me. I was able to calmly tell them I was scared and would be crying, and that not all of the tears were because of pain. They were able to calmly tell me all the procedures for how they evaluated and treated me in the field. It was a team effort, and I know being present helped aid that along.

Even in those difficult moments, I focused on my breath, breathing deeply, sending it into the areas of tension, and allowing myself to relax. The deep breathing was what got me through the worst of it. It helped me stay grounded while I navigated the pain and uncertainty. What got me through those terrifying moments wasn’t just my resilience—it was my breath.

I used yoga’s simplest, most powerful tool: pranayama. Breathing into the tension. Breathing into the unknown. Deep, mindful inhales that filled me with awareness. Long, grounding exhales that helped me let go, just enough to stay calm. As I recover, yoga is the anchor that keeps me focused.

I continue to be amazed by how much I have learned by connecting with my breath and how I can channel it into the pain, stay present with my body, and find moments of gratitude. I am practicing gentle yoga with my leg in a brace and compression, focusing on my upper body and my breath, learning how to move with more intention, slower, and kinder. Now, after weeks of practice, I’m amazed at how much these simple daily practices add up over time. Before the accident, I could easily bend and touch my toes, and now, even though my leg remains straight most of the 24 hours during the day, it is something I can still easily do, aiding in my independence and sense of healing.

In addition, I keep coming back daily to the yoga philosophy, karma, which is the principle of cause and effect. Our thoughts, actions, and words create ripples that come back to us—sometimes in ways we never expect. I don’t believe my injury is punishment or “bad karma.” But I do believe it’s an invitation to pause, reflect, and redirect my energy. I also think I made a series of kind, loving, intentional actions through practicing yoga that helped me in this stressful and scary situation.

Small Wins in Recovery

The beauty of yoga is that it’s not about doing it perfectly—it’s about showing up for yourself and doing what you can.

And in the process, you begin to celebrate the small victories. I can put on socks, shoes, and pants without a struggle now. My leg may not be moving yet, but I’ve found new ways to move around, even with crutches. My hips are releasing tension from the accident and moving more freely, and I’m no longer struggling to roll over in bed or get into the truck. These might seem like small wins, but they’re huge for someone learning how to move with a broken leg.

Even on my hardest days, yoga’s mindfulness helps me stay grounded. When I feel frustrated with not being able to do simple things—like dressing myself or getting around the barn—I remind myself to breathe through it. Yoga helps me shift from frustration to acceptance, and I’ve learned to take each day as it comes, finding fun and laughter along this slow healing journey.

The Humbling Experience of Recovery

I’ll admit, the first few days were humbling. Having to ask for help with everything from dressing to getting into the shower was hard. I never realized how much I took for granted until I couldn’t do them myself. With crutches, I couldn’t even carry a glass of water or a plate of food. My husband became my caregiver, helping me through the most basic tasks, and that vulnerability has taught me so much about gratitude.

It’s a humbling experience, but yoga has given me the strength to face it with grace. The physical challenges are there, yes, but so are the emotional and mental hurdles. Yoga has taught me that healing isn’t just about the body—it’s about finding peace in the present moment, embracing what is, and staying grounded no matter what life throws your way.

Preparing for My First Ride Again

While I’m still in recovery and not yet able to ride, I’m preparing for that first ride again. It won’t be easy, and it might take time to rebuild my confidence and strength. But I know that yoga will continue to be a guiding force for me, helping me return to the saddle with a renewed sense of resilience, trust, and love for my horses.

For anyone going through a similar recovery or facing challenges in their equine journey, I encourage you to try yoga—whether it’s the physical practice of stretching and strengthening or simply the act of breathing and being present with your body. You’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish, even in the toughest of times.

Healing, like riding, is a journey. It’s not always easy, but with each step, each breath, and each moment of mindfulness, we move closer to finding balance again.

The Broken Leg Diaries: Yoga for Equestrians

This injury has inspired something new—something I never imagined I’d create. During my recovery, I realized how important it is to continue connecting with our bodies and healing, even when we're limited by injury. And so, the Broken Leg Diaries was born.

As I spent time recovering, I started exploring a more gentle and handicapped accessible yoga as a way to keep my body moving while allowing my leg the time it needed to heal. I wanted to create something that could help others like me (those who have experienced horse-related accidents or any kind of injury) and still want to keep working on their health and wellness during their recovery.

So, I’m excited to share that I put together a yoga series, specifically designed for those who are healing from injuries like mine. Through short yoga meditations and classes, I shared short practices that are gentle, restorative, and adaptable, so you can join in no matter where you are in your recovery.

These sessions will focus on upper body movements, breathing techniques, mindfulness, and of course, the mental and emotional aspects of healing. My goal is to offer a supportive, accessible way for people to continue their yoga journey while they heal—whether it’s from a broken leg, an old injury, or just the wear and tear of life.

If you’re recovering from a horse-related accident or any injury, I invite you to follow along with the Broken Leg Diaries. You don’t have to feel alone in your journey, and together, we can continue to heal, breathe, and find strength in the most unlikely of places.

Alicia VanderGriend

Yoga Instructor, Photographer & Mustang Enthusiast

The Yoga Stables - www.yogastables.com

YouTube Channel: @Alicia VanderGriend look for The Yoga Stables playlist!

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Photography: Alicia Mae Equine & Dog Photography

This article is from the June issue of Equine Business Magazine