@maggieb892 This is great information to share for @drcvs . I was going to suggest getting the parathyroids checked. My mother had a parathyroid problem that was pulling calcium out of her bones for years while she was on Fosamax. She developed severe osteoporosis and has had spontaneous fractures occur. I was at her house helping put groceries away when her foot broke which I think was spontaneous because she did not trip; she just fell over on her side, hit the floor and her pelvis broke in 3 places. This lead to 3 months in a rehab nursing home. A few years later, there was a spontaneous spinal compression fracture that happened without falling. She was referred to an endocrinologist who specializes in osteoporosis, and she said that with a parathyroid problem like hers, the 10 years of Fosamax wasn't helping and was not the best way to treat her condition. This might be something to consider in getting an opinion with an endocrinologist instead of a primary care physician because they look at this in more detail. My mom is 93 now and the foot/pelvis fractures happened 8 years ago. The endocrinologist did monthly injections of Evenity for a year that she has just completed. The best choice would have been daily injections of something else, but because she doesn't drive, the monthly program was begun instead because no one lives close enough to drive her to an appointment every day.

FYI, I love horses too and own a small Tennessee Walker. I am a spine surgery patient, and trail riding helped me recover in healing from a cervical fusion. I share your love and inspiration for horses, and I loved the picture you posted. That says it all. I do always wear work boots with toe protection in case of getting stepped on. One time my older horse (on my avatar picture) didn't want to cross a tiny creek and I was leading him from the ground. Then he jumped it and his hoof landed right next to my foot, and I realized what a risk I had taken. Have you thought about being closer to the ground with a mini horse with a cart and driving? You can do that on some trails, but not the hilly ones. I haven't done that, but they are so gosh darn cute!

@drcvs Wouldn't the chores in taking care of horses help your bones because it is weight bearing exercise? (In addition to medications of course) I do them too as payment for board for my horse.

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