Can having horses stop you getting colds?

Wagtail

Wagtail

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In this cold weather my nose is like a dripping tap. Drives me mad. However, for more than three years I have not caught a cold, not so much as a sniffle, despite all members of my family getting colds and flu several times a year, I seem to dodge them. *touches wood*.

Could it be that this constant drip drip of our noses when out doing the horses actually washes out the germs? Or is it just me?

Three years ago I caught the mother of all colds (by sharing a car journey with someone who was sniffling, sneezing and coughing :mad:). This developed into bronchitis, then pluerisy and finally pneumonia. I was bed ridden for weeks. But that was the last time I was ill. So could all those infections just have built up my immune system?

I would be interested to know what others think. Do you get many colds? And do you spend a lot of time in confined spaces or out of doors with the horses? Or a combination of both?
 
nikicb said:
I certainly think being out in the fresh air has a lot going for it. Especially when it is as fresh as it is now! Must be good for killing germs. :)
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So much for the old wives tales that if you go out in the cold you will catch a cold. I also wonder if it is to do with fitness levels. I read somewhere that if you exercise regularly you strengthen your immune system as well as your body.
 
Now I have horses I have no money/time or inclination to spend much time with other germ factory people, I don't get asked either as I am commonly wearing half a bale of hay and look like I fell in a muddly puddle! So, in that sense yes horses do stop you getting colds!!
 
I have a theory about this...

My non horsey son goes to the gym and socialises a lot and he's always bringing colds and sniffles home. Daughter and me do catch them occasionally, but if we didn't come into contact with said son, we would remain germ free. This is because we only fraternise with a small circle of hardy, horsey friends.

We need an island all of our own where we can be germ free and away from the non-horsey, disease ridden population :p
 
I am inclined to agree with OP, Before I had my horse I remember having 3 colds in 1 year (I am office based 9-6pm) Since having Toby, I've not had so much as a sniffle (touches wood). Down first thing in the mornings, ride in most weather, always have grubby fingernails then make myself a sandwich forgetting to wash my hands :eek: Always seem to have rosy cheeks, eat food that has past its sale by date, never been healthier
 
Colds don't take 'hold' with me like they used to in my 'before horse' time. If I am getting a sniffle I always find a good few hours riding/at stables helps a lot. It may just be the fresh air and the exercise that do it though.

Horses have also helped my allergies, before I had a horse I was terribly allergic to them and their hay, straw, feed, bedding, fields, arena surface etc. Over the years that I have had to be around horses daily I have become less and less sneezy, wheezy and now all I get is the odd 'nettle rash' off prickly summer whiskers.
 
I was thinking about this morning! I think its because even though it doesnt always seem much the fresh air and exercise ummm...'moves?!' :o germy grossness rather than letting it sit in our glands/throat/nose/wherever.
I *touchwood* hardly EVER get colds, I also havent had a sick day off work for three years (im not sure whether Im the idiot there! ;) :rolleyes: ) and it drives me mental when people in my office tell each other to go home because they have a COLD!!!! :eek: :confused: :eek: :confused:

ETA: also they do say outdoorsy people build up a better immune system because of our exposure to germs, & they say there are more asthmatic children due to overprotective mothers cleaning too much!! :)
 
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I think they do - but not if you have a small child too! :rolleyes:
I very rarely used to ever be ill (pre baby days) - I think it's to do with being out in the cold, nothing breeds germs like central heating! Now I have a young daughter I have more colds than I ever have & I think it's the lack of sleep and the fact that the central heating is on a lot more than it ever used to be...:)
 
Laughing at some of the comments!

It seems that so far, the majority appear to think that having horses helps our immune systems. Apart from an unlucky two (Cullord and Carlos Mum). Sorry to hear you are unwell. I will probably come down with a stinker after starting this thread!
 
Sarah1 said:
I think they do - but not if you have a small child too! :rolleyes:
I very rarely used to ever be ill (pre baby days) - I think it's to do with being out in the cold, nothing breeds germs like central heating! Now I have a young daughter I have more colds than I ever have & I think it's the lack of sleep and the fact that the central heating is on a lot more than it ever used to be...:)
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Ah yes, I remember it well. My cold tally went way up when my kids were small.
 
Sarah1 said:
I think they do - but not if you have a small child too! :rolleyes:
I very rarely used to ever be ill (pre baby days) - I think it's to do with being out in the cold, nothing breeds germs like central heating! Now I have a young daughter I have more colds than I ever have & I think it's the lack of sleep and the fact that the central heating is on a lot more than it ever used to be...:)
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Yes Id agree with this. I have several children who are always bringing in different germs. Its Mum here who catches them all and is why Im always feeling so grotty. I must get about 15 colds a year and they always linger for weeks. Thats the reason Im always ill.
 
Tinsel Trouble said:
I never got colds when I was doing the horses every day- the minute I stepped into holiday mode I would be struck down by every passing bug, virus and infection!
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It's always the way! My poor hubby is the same. He works really long hard hours and as soon as he has a few days off, he's ill. So not fair!
 
I think it helps being outdoors and "dirty".. I believe a lot of modern childhood allergy, intolerance and illness is due to parents trying to be too clean and sterile..

I used to be out playing and digging up worms and stables and crushing up stones to make "medicines" and flower petals to make "perfume"..

I've had 3 lots of surgery in 2 years but other than that I don't get ill
 
Stupid iPhone.. I'm travelling on the M5 at the mo..

Anyway I don't get ill or colds etc.. My problems are all mechanical and almost all horse related! Victim of my passion for 30 years, lol..
 
I think it depends on personal circumstances.

If you mix with lots of different people you are more likely to catch something.

Three years ago I was unemployed over winter, so was down at the stables everyday in the cold. I didn't catch one cold all winter - but was this due to being out in the cold, or just not being in contact with a mass of different people.

Job I am in now involves being in an office with loads of people. Two things I have found that made me get constant colds and illnesses were: Being sat opposite to someone who always had a constant cold, was sniffing and snorting all the time. For the length of time I was sat opposite him (approx four months), I would have at least 2-3 days off each month ill. It was horrendous. Second thing that I have found to make me ill is doing to much - ie a thirteen hour day at work, hour in the gym, and not getting home until 830pm. Did it for a couple of weeks, and ended up being that run down I got a stinking cold.
 
yes they can. It's all the ammonia in their urine, it somehow permeates everything and keeps people at a distance. This is most evident in supermarkets;)
For example; my car went in for some work today and when I went to collect it all the windows had been left open by the mechanic:eek:

I wouldn't mind but I'd cleared everything smelly out before it went in:(
 
Fellewell said:
yes they can. It's all the ammonia in their urine, it somehow permeates everything and keeps people at a distance. This is most evident in supermarkets;)
For example; my car went in for some work today and when I went to collect it all the windows had been left open by the mechanic:eek:

I wouldn't mind but I'd cleared everything smelly out before it went in:(
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:D So true. I'm always embarassed about the smell in my Disco. If it isn't the horses, it's the dogs...
 
mulledwhine said:
No, I have been off work for 2 days with a stinker :(
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Sorry to hear that, Mulledwhine.

Looks like not getting a cold maybe down to many factors then. It is true I don't see many people, only my liveries, my family and a few friends. But my husband and sone have both had two stinking colds in the past 3 months. OK, I did quarantine my husband :D and kept my distance from my son, but I did fully expect to come down with it. Maybe it was the sheer fear of the consequences, if I did catch it, as both had a fever for a couple of days and were very weak and shaky. I have 8 horses to do and just can't afford to be ill.
 
Fellewell said:
I've always thought it prudent to cover my vehicles in horse/dog stickers, then at least people know what they're getting into;):D
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Good idea!

Something someone once said really sticks in my mind. We borrowed a person's company car on an errand. She was my bosses secretary and was driving. The car was a little cluttered, you know, kids stuff, but nothing that I would class that bad (especially in comparison to my disco :o). She said, 'look at the state of this car. I always think when I see cars like this, if the car is a state, whatever must their house be like!'

Ahem...

Well actually, a lot better than their cars...usually.
 
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