CFS/ME and owning horses!

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RacheeRooRoo

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I have had chronic fatigue syndrome or ME as it is also known as for 13years now. I have falls in my health atleast a couple times a year. I own two beautiful horses and loan one of them out at present. Just wondering if there is any other horse owners or lovers out there who suffer with this too!! I keep my boy on diy livery!
 
No. But I have rhuematoid arthritis which is a systemic auto immune disease, which cause extreme fatigue and chronic joint pain, fevers and general weakness amongst other things

I too keep my horse on DIY. It's hard sometimes and it takes me 10x longer than everyone else to do things. I have to sit in my car and rest a lot

BUT I manage and will continue for as long as I can
I still ride several times a week and compete when I can
 
I used to when I was a teenager. It sucked.

But the worst thing you can do is stop enjoying your life so great to hear you have your horse. Good luck!
 
I don't ride half as much as id like as I'm too exhausted after mucking out most days. But even being around my horse makes me happy. Plus no matter what it gives me a reason to get up and it's a big motivation to me to keep going. I've been in hospital a few times over the years on rest bite care.
 
Your right it does suck!!

Not sure about CFS, but sometimes if I force myself to ride it actually energises me. Other times I wish I hadn't

I have pleurisy at the moment no doubt caused by RA it drives me nuts one thing after another. Only just got over a chest infection now it turns to this :(

Your right horses so give us a reason to get up to leave the house. Otherwise I wouldn't go out at all most days

We have to keep going !!
 
RacheeRooRoo said:
My mum has RA and has had pleurisy too! She's never been in to horses though haha.
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So you probably have more understanding of my illness than I do of yours

Hope your mom feels better soon. It's odd how so called experts will say the RA has nothing to do with pleurisy. But I know from speaking to others it does, and now your mom too!!
 
I don't know about cfs, but I have extremely low blood pressure and am often anaemic so get tired very quickly. Add the painkillers I'm on for my back and I'm normally out for the count around 8/9 pm. I kept my horses (2) on diy but had an arrangement with friends that they would feed and turn out and I would come down in the evening, muck out, bring in and get everything ready for the morning. Eventually I ended up selling 1 of the horse's and putting the other on part livery, it was the best decision I made and I find life a lot easier. I've now got my cob on full grass livery, I don't get to see him much at the moment as I'm really not well and walking the dogs is about all I can manage but at least I don't have to worry about him.

This probably isn't what you wanted to hear, sorry!
 
I'm still waiting for a diagnosis but Dr's are leaning towards ME.

It started this year and I spent 1 and a half months not being able to see my horses, then the following couple of months friends picked me up, took me to ponies and gave me a chair in field while they did chores. This allowed me to spend time with my ponies and get out of the house - but I lacked energy to the point I could barely lift the poo fork.

My friends moved to a new yard and I chose to move to - I have relied on them a lot this year with help with my ponies. They've been really fab in helping me out.

Last Tuesday to this Thursday, I didn't see my ponies at all as I ended up in bed after having a lumbar puncture. I managed to have a short ride today with my friends but gone are the days of being able to go out for hours. This time last year I as competing every fortnight and this year I've ridden a handful of times.

It's a struggle and I've thought of selling the ponies but as others have said, they're my reason for getting up in the mornings so as long as I have a good support network and can do little bits, I'll keep going.
 
Like Soulful, I too have rheumatoid arthritis, and experience the pain, fatigue and fever that go with it. I have four ponies which I keep at home. They cause no problem at all in the summer, as I am fortunate in that I can take all the time I need to poo pick the fields. The winter is a different matter, as it can take up to two hours for my pain killers to kick in, and I need to be up to turn them out or give them some hay. Mucking out takes me ages as I can often need to take three or four breaks, even though they have rubber matting so not enormous beds to deal with. However, my consultant thinks that this moderate exercise is good for me, and I do feel better having done it on most days. Other days I just need to crawl back into bed! I don't ride now as I am no longer able to lift a saddle high enough to put on horse's back, and I don't think I could cope with the pain a fall might cause. However, I do enjoy my ponies and and am more than happy to suffer a little in order to keep them. I dread the day I am no longer able to keep them.

As fidleyspromise said, they are my reason for getting up in the morning.
 
I was diagnosed quit a few year ago with ME. I does suck, but with care and help _ can still care for my equines and other animals. I could not cope though without help. I refuse to give up, although I did put four of my six out on loan, two are now home, and I struggle but cope with help.
Do not force yourself as it will make you worse. You may feel able one day, but overdong it when you feel well can easily leave you knackered.
 
I've had ME for 18 years now, it's miserable! As others have said though, the horses keep me going. I can't imagine how I'd cope if I didn't HAVE to get up to do them. Yes, I feel terrible most days, yes I often wish I didn't have to leave the house but I also know that if I stop doing the horse thing then my will to keep going will be gone! You have to pace yourself, know that if you do a lot one day you'll feel bad the next but you have to make the most of what you've got!!! :D
 
I was diagnosed with m.e when I was 8 then re diagnosed last year as being hypermobile and that's the reason along with un diagnosed rhumatic pain ( bloods all come back normal even though I have RA symptoms, swollen hands, pain, fever, tiredness and Raynards to name a few) they have said that has been my problems all this time.

The key to me is pacing, not doing more than you should because tomorrow you will be doing less if that makes sense
 
I smashed my spine to pieces 2 years ago and have a lot of unpleasant pain killers, I'm insulin dependant diabetic, have chronic anaemia, and thyroid problems. Every minute of my life is a blumming fight! The horse is what keeps me going! If it wasnt for him I'd go to bed and never get up, but I have to work to pay for him, and I have to get up to see to him. Some days I would happily give him away to anyone, but I dont and I carry on.

Life is crap with medical issues. People dont understand how flipping hard everything is. Mine has just been moved to his winter field. Its about 200yds away. I'm in agony after 50yds, but theres nothing I can do other than keep pushing myself. Life is crap for me, but I could very easily have been dead after the spine smashing incident, and seeing my little cob and having some quality time with him makes it worth the fight.

Sometimes I am soo angry I could murder someone, literally anyone! But I am a stubborn wench and I channel it into keeping going. The day I stop fighting is the day I book a flight to Switzerland!
 
hardtimes said:
Like Soulful, I too have rheumatoid arthritis, and experience the pain, fatigue and fever that go with it. I have four ponies which I keep at home. They cause no problem at all in the summer, as I am fortunate in that I can take all the time I need to poo pick the fields. The winter is a different matter, as it can take up to two hours for my pain killers to kick in, and I need to be up to turn them out or give them some hay. Mucking out takes me ages as I can often need to take three or four breaks, even though they have rubber matting so not enormous beds to deal with. However, my consultant thinks that this moderate exercise is good for me, and I do feel better having done it on most days. Other days I just need to crawl back into bed! I don't ride now as I am no longer able to lift a saddle high enough to put on horse's back, and I don't think I could cope with the pain a fall might cause. However, I do enjoy my ponies and and am more than happy to suffer a little in order to keep them. I dread the day I am no longer able to keep them.

As fidleyspromise said, they are my reason for getting up in the morning.
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Hugs. I dread the day I am no longer able to ride. I'm lucky in a way that the riding helps my RA more than anything

I'm so glad you mentioned how long your pain meds take to kick in. The same and I thought they should work within 30-40m. Therefore maybe I was just being a bit lazy and not wanting to get going

I have periods if days or weeks when it feels like I am being to idle to ride and I used to feel guilty and sometimes make myself ride, or clean up etc
I've realised I'm not being lazy it's just the way the disease works and other times I will feel I want to do more (just wished there were more of these days)
 
My daughter was diagnosed with CFS last year following a bout of glandular fever, she is def. Much better now so I am praying for no relapses, and it is a post viral fatigue.
I had to reduce hours to care for her, and sold my horse. I could never of sold hers, they were/ are her everything. They have definitely helped in her recovery.. Horses are amazing, they knew when she wasn't well, and behaved impeccably... They would just be quiet and calm when she was at her worst, and seemed to understand her. As a result, they will be with us for life.. The horses have done more than any Dr has, they kept her going when she could have easily given in to it.
Anyway, apologies for the slushiness, its been a roller coaster of emotions this year. X
 
My CFS is bad enough that, short of winning the lottery and being able to afford full livery, I've pretty much accepted that I'm never going to be able to have my own horse.

However, my previous share was really beneficial for my health (graded exercise CAN occasionally work!), and I'm really hopeful that, when I get a new share sorted, that will be too.
 
showaddy1 said:
My daughter was diagnosed with CFS last year following a bout of glandular fever, she is def. Much better now so I am praying for no relapses, and it is a post viral fatigue.
I had to reduce hours to care for her, and sold my horse. I could never of sold hers, they were/ are her everything. They have definitely helped in her recovery.. Horses are amazing, they knew when she wasn't well, and behaved impeccably... They would just be quiet and calm when she was at her worst, and seemed to understand her. As a result, they will be with us for life.. The horses have done more than any Dr has, they kept her going when she could have easily given in to it.
Anyway, apologies for the slushiness, its been a roller coaster of emotions this year. X
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This made me fill up! Your daughter is fortunate to have a wonderful mum who clearly understands how horrendous this can make you feel! I have a mum like that too! She's never once suggested I sell the horses, even when I was at my worst - she knows that they are the reason I'm not lying in bed unable to get up! I really hope that your daughter continues to get better & that one day you can get a horse for yourself again & have lots more fun together!
Right, enough with the slushiness, ahem, sniff... :D
 
I'd be lying if I said I didn't blame daughter a little, at the time that is... I was devastated to sell my pride and joy when I could have sold her cowbag mare (mare loves daughter, has a disinterest in all other humans). I learnt a lot about myself during the whole diagnosis/ treatment/ recovery process, and hopefully am a little nicer as a result.
Ppl with 'invisible' illness have to endure themselves being scrutinized by many in the medical profession... I felt we had to prove she was ill, and there are many non believers. I can only hope that beside those that are suffering, there is a gobby cow like me who wont take 'no' as an answer x
 
showaddy1 said:
I'd be lying if I said I didn't blame daughter a little, at the time that is... I was devastated to sell my pride and joy when I could have sold her cowbag mare (mare loves daughter, has a disinterest in all other humans). I learnt a lot about myself during the whole diagnosis/ treatment/ recovery process, and hopefully am a little nicer as a result.
Ppl with 'invisible' illness have to endure themselves being scrutinized by many in the medical profession... I felt we had to prove she was ill, and there are many non believers. I can only hope that beside those that are suffering, there is a gobby cow like me who wont take 'no' as an answer x
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Oh god, that must have been hard, esp when you're daughter's mare is so ungrateful!!! :)
I endured various consultants etc who clearly thought I was making it up!! One told me to take an aspirin & then I'd feel better ...... I thought my mild mannered mother was going to punch him at that point!!! :D
It's amazing what you can deal with if you have something to focus on & someone behind you like yourself - your daughter is lucky!x
 
I have fibromyalgia, hypermobility syndrome and dodgy discs in my back. I too keep going but have found that im really struggling to manage this year. Im lucky in that my yard are great and really help when i can't do something but obviously this comes at a cost to me. I'm starting to wonder how much longer i can cope with being a horse owner and it would truly break my heart to have to sell my boy as i've had him for 6yrs and he had some serious trust issues when i got him which could make him vulnerable to being passed around by people that don't understand him or wouldn't give him a chance.
 
Spike -have you considered a sharer?? Or even a loan? I just turned daughters horses out (previously stabled on livery yard).. Although only been a fortnight they seem to be happy - is this an option for you?
Are you on the CFS/ fybro group on Facebook? Just wondering if they can offer advice/ personal experiences?
 
I've tried to have a sharer before but was let down so it's just easier to pay the yard to do him when i can't rather than worry whether the sharer will prove reliable enough. Sadly 24/7 turnout while allowed in summer isn't an option for the winter months.

I'm a member of the Fibromyalgia uk group and also an admin of Hypermobile horseriders. I am lucky that my yard are great but they don't know the full extent of my problems with my health. I try to keep my horse/home/work life a bit separate from each other. I'm currently off work sick for the third time since July and I guess just a little down because of it and the stresses it places on other areas of my life. My horse is my escape from the rest of my problems I guess lol.
 
I have ME and have kept my horses on DIY for 9 years up until this year. I now only own one horse due to loosing a couple this year and with my declining health and only one to pay for livery I have had my mare put on part livery, which is a big help.

I now just see to her 2 days a week and go and ride on the other days depending on how I feel.
 
I have me, ms and fibromyalgia. I have two currently retired equines on diy, I do need help with them and haven't ridden in months but am hoping to bring my cob back into work in the spring. My animals are definitely what makes me get out of bed in the mornings when the pain and exhaustion is bad.

I've had me since I was 18 & pacing is key to managing it.
 
People don't understand the whole "invisible illness". One day I can feel really good and I always overdo things :( the next I'm bed bound and people don't believe me due to seeing me the day before so happy and for me being very energetic. Day to day is so different for me. If your daughter would like to speak to anyone about her chronic fatigue I'm more than welcome to talk. I've had it long enough now haha. I'm also a new mum to a gorgeous little boy, and it is hard but the horses and him keep me going!!
 
This is really interesting to see how many of us there are out there! I have juvenille arthritis and ME, I have 3 horses and couldn't do it without my wonderful OH who will happily poo pick, do waters and hays etc while I groom and ride. I have good times and then times I can't even get off the sofa but I won't give them up!
 
Thankyou Racherooroo, thats really kind of you... kids her age just see her as 'lazy'... so she has lost alot of friends as a result (plastic friends).
It is really interesting how many sufferers there are... and I am still convinced there is a link to the food we eat, and the pollutants around us. I have read alot of Dr Myhills work, but fear that getting daughter to follow the stoneage diet will be impossible!
 
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