Orthopaedic Patient Back on the Horse After Surgeries

As a horse rider and trainer, Christina Major is no stranger to injuries.

She’s been kicked by, trampled on and thrown off horses throughout her career.

“My entire career has been focused on these majestic, 1,200-pound animals,” said Major, 59, co-owner and head trainer of Dusty Dog Farm in Keene. “It’s a risk we, as horsemen and women, take.”

For every injury sustained in the last 16 years, Major has turned to Cheshire Medical Center’s Orthopaedics Department for care.

Most recently, Major needed orthopaedic care in 2024 after falling off a young horse, severely injuring her right shoulder and hand. She underwent a six-hour back-to-back surgery with Mia Qin, MD, who specializes in hand and wrist care, and Charles Qin, MD, a shoulder and knee specialist.

Major said the experience of this surgery, along with all the others she’s had, “opened her eyes to the strength of our local Orthopaedic Department.”

“The speed at which I have received treatments, surgeries, rehab and follow-up [care] is actually astounding,” she said.

Advanced Orthopaedic Care Close to Home

Cheshire’s team of board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons combines advanced surgical expertise with personalized treatment plans, helping patients return to the activities they enjoy as soon as possible.

For most patients with new injuries, Cheshire offers same-day and next-day appointments. The department also offers outpatient total joint procedures, helping reduce pain and shorten recovery time.

After receiving surgery, most patients will be connected with an athletic trainer within days to support their rehabilitation. 

"We know how frustrating it can be to be sidelined from the work and activities you love," said Mia Qin. "As someone who cares for patients in my own community, it's especially meaningful to help them get back to what matters most. That's why we prioritize quick access to personalized care and support patients through every step of their recovery."

Getting Back on the Horse

Following her latest surgery, Major is now back to what she loves most—riding horses.

“I never would’ve been able to continue my career path without this [care] being here,” she said. 

As she heads back into her injury-prone career, Major added it gives her peace of mind to know Cheshire’s expert orthopaedic team is here to help.

“I really pray that folks stay injury-free, but we know that’s not the case,” she said, “so we should all feel blessed that we have the good fortune of having an orthopaedic team that’s in our backyard.”