Vim & Vigor - Spring 2021 - 55

RIDING

SMART
A concussion expert who's fallen-more
than once-from a horse knows a thing or
two about brain injury protection
BY KELLY CASEY

A

s a child growing up in the Chicago suburbs, Stephanie Bajo
fell in love with competitive horse riding and its inherently
rugged way of life.
" The equestrian community is pretty tough, " she says.
" We're getting up in the dark and cold and crushing ice
in buckets because our horse's drinking water has frozen.
Serious riders are pretty stubborn, and if they get injured, they just grin
and bear it. Horse riding makes people extremely resilient, but it also puts
them at risk when they experience a concussion and say 'I'm fine' and
want to keep riding. "
Bajo knows this mindset firsthand. " Now looking back, " she says, " there
were probably two or three times where I had fallen and definitely had
some confusion or seeing stars and developed some sort of headache. I got
back on and kept riding. In a lesson with a riding instructor, I remember
I was even told to get back on. "

STRESSING THE NEED FOR RECOVERY

Today, as a UVA Health neuropsychologist, Bajo knows well that this
deeply ingrained attitude needs to change. She shares with parents and
coaches that it's important to take concussions seriously but also to realize
that the vast majority of people will recover in a matter of days or weeks,
without lingering brain damage.
" When I talk to equestrian groups, I tell them, 'Do not have your students
get back on until they've been assessed and their symptoms have cleared up.'
It would be very detrimental to fall again before recovering. And what is the
detriment of ending the ride that day? "
Riding immediately after a concussion, Bajo says, means your balance
is going to be off and you're not going to be able to process information as
effectively, putting you at a greater risk for a second injury and prolonging
your recovery. " No one, especially a horse rider, wants to be out of their
normal routine for longer than they have to be, " she says.
As a longtime rider, Bajo understands that falls will always be a part of
riding. Riders are taught how to roll to avoid injury. And sometimes it is
important to get back in the saddle quickly to work through the challenges
and help the rider gain confidence rather than fear. Not all falls will result in a
VIM & VIGOR SPRING 2021

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Vim & Vigor - Spring 2021

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Vim & Vigor - Spring 2021 - Cover1
Vim & Vigor - Spring 2021 - Cover2
Vim & Vigor - Spring 2021 - Contents
Vim & Vigor - Spring 2021 - 2
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