Working with horses whilst using bloodthinners?

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LittleToTheRight

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Hi all!

Firstly, let me apologize ahead of time if this is not in the right forum, I am new here 😊

Essentially I was hoping to gather some experiences and/or opinions from my fellow horsey people.
Yesterday I was diagnosed with a PE (pulmonary embolism) or also known as a bloodclot in my lung. Unfortunatly for me, this is my second one and this means I will have to take lifelong bloodthinners. I am only 28, so I still have many years of work ahead of me. Now where this gets tricky; I have previously worked in the professional horse industry for 8 years, as well as studied Equine Business Management. I did have a 3 year break from horses and worked a corporate job, but I was MISERABLE. I've really missed being outside and around the stables.
I was actively looking this last month to go back in to a rider / groom position, but obviously this diagnosis has stirred things up a bit.

I know I could probably try to find an office job within a horse yard, but I was wondering what other peoples experiences are around this. I am not entirely sure where to put my limitations. In theory anytime I am near a horse I could get injured, even on the ground, but I can also fall down the stairs at home 🤷‍♀️

If you own horses and were put on bloodthinners, what did you do? Or as an employer, would you even employ someone with this medical history?

I'm sorry if it's a bit of a ramble, I am still trying to process it myself & it's been a long day.

Thanks for reading 😊


TLDR: What should I still be able to do around horses when using bloodthinners, if anything? As this was previously my actual (preferred) profession.
 
Didn’t want to read and run.

I agree an office job around horses sounds most sensible. Or something managerial like at a riding school. Interaction with staff and students, popping in and out of the office to check things, bits of teaching care for BHS stages if qualified?
 
Can’t help on the actual working with horses side but there are a lot of administrative jobs in racing which whilst not being particularly hands on the horses would very much be involved rather than a corporate office job that has nothing to do with horses. Have a look at the careers in racing website and their job board to get an idea. You sound like you have a lot of skills that would be very transferable and very valued.
 
I’m on blood thinners at the moment. It worried me immensely at first but as a horse owner, I now get on with things. I do try and wear a hat all the time up the yard - I seem to bump my head on things around the yard 🙄. I take safety precautions like emergency details on my iwatch and iPhone. I’m not sure how long I’m going to have to take them (it’s been been six months so far).

I did go to hospital when the boot lid cracked me on the back of the head but everything was fine and I did wonder if I’d over reacted (but it was stressed to get any head injuries seen urgently)
 
I'm not on warfarin but blood thinner tablets for atrial fibrillation and have been for the last 10 years - some of which time I still had my own horse. I realise that actually working with horses ( as opposed to just having one's own) increases the chances of "incidents" but I would not let it rule my life.

My medication instructions advise carryiing the "patient alert card" in one's handbag at all times - which is a good trick if you can do it while riding!! My solution is to wear a medi-alert bracelet with details of the condition and medication as the most important thing is to be able to alert paramedics to the possibility of internal bleeding if you are found unconscious. I wear it religiously as accidents can occur just anywhere - even just gardening - so that is why I say I would not necessarily let it rule my life over my choice of career.

However, everyone's medical history is different so I really would have a discussion with your GP about your plans and get some professional advice.
 
I've been on clopidogral for 5 years after some mini strokes. I've had some horrific bruising in that time from various mishaps. Maybe I should be more careful but I do have a bit of a cavalier attitude.
 
Hi, firstly I'm really sorry, two PEs at your age is horrible, I hope you're feeling ok.
I had an unexplained PE six years ago and when I came out of hospital was on blood thinners. I was initially told not to ride, but when I explained I had several horses at home, and that riding and teaching was my job, the doctors changed their minds.
I wore a medical alert bracelet with the name of the specific blood thinners I was on, and I never took it off. I'm a dressage rider, so it was easy for me not to jump, but I rode youngsters, did all my yard work and competed, I actually competed Big Tour at a premier league two weeks after being released from hospital.
I'm lucky I was only on blood thinners for six months, I would recommend a serious talk with your consultant about the risks and possible limitations of being on the drugs permanently. I know with my consultant they talked to me differently once I explained horses were my job, not just an occasional hobby,
I wish you the very best of luck.
 
I am not on blood thinners but have been told several times that I must never ride again.

Like @daffy44 , the advice was different when they realised that riding and keeping horses was not a hobby, and that my job was riding and training them.

I think a lot of it is about your attitude to risk too. For example, I have a somewhat unresolved injury that would definitely be an issue if I have a blow to my upper jaw. I have to accept that, if I ride and be otherwise active, I carry the extra risk. But then, my injury would lead to a non death situation, albeit a life changing one, so not quite the same.

I would have a frank discussion with the medics, but from the perspective of horses being a career rather than a hobby. A bracelet sounds like a sensible option.
 
I have been on blood thinners for the last 10 years. Horses are my life so it is not going to stop me being involved with them. I don't jump very often now, but to be honest that is mainly just age! I continue to look after my horses and ride at all paces. I do get lots of bruises, usually not knowing when how!
I do carry a meddical alert card.
 
I have been on blood thinners for 10 years, it was warfarin until the pandemic and then they changed me to apixaban so I didn’t need lots of blood tests. I had my own horse then and just carried on as normal , always wear a bracelet anyway but just told YO and anyone I rode with so they were aware to call 999 if I fell off and was unconscious … 6 years later after losing my own horse I was riding someone else’s horse and fell off on the road, this caused a brain bleed and I was in hospital for over 2 weeks as they had trouble stopping the bleeding. Due to this and pressure from friends and family I have completely given up…I don’t have children and if I didn’t have my dogs I would have carried on with horses but don’t feel I can risk it and leave my dogs . It’s different for me as I’m now 79 but I can’t imagine giving up at 28… might be worth a frank talk with your doctor and your family. I think it’s better to be on warfarin as the bleeding is easier to stop as they can give you a big dose of vit K… don’t take my word for it ask your GP
 
You should follow the advice of your own doctors. However I can tell you about my OH. OH was already on a low cholestrerol diet following an employment health check when he was 60 in 1999. But the preventative medication he was given back then had side effects and was discontinued. Which is why you and your drugs need looking after by your GP.

18 years later, OH had a slight stroke, and had a couple of nights in hospital so they could monitor what was happening. Since then he has been on long term medication (3 pills in the morning and 2 in the evening). He had already stopped riding, but he leads a perfectly normal life, going for long walks, using public transport including the London Underground, gardening, and coming to the yard with me. If no staff are around, he holds the horse while I dismount.

After his stroke he had a visit from the local rep of the Stroke Association who suggested daily exercises he could do (and which he has done ever since).
If you are in the UK, the Stroke Association is a good source of information and support.
 
Not much to add to other people's experiences. I am also on the blood thinner Edoxaban for the rest of my life. I am 78, have my own slightly tricky pony and have no intention of giving up horses. I ended up in hospital with a small brain bleed two years ago when my pony got shocked by an electric fence and knocked me head first into a fence post. The hospital neutralised the blood thinner with an intravenous substance(?) over the course of the following night and I was told not to ride for six weeks. I also had to be off the blood thinner for the six weeks. Would this compulsory withdrawal from blood thinners put you in sighificant danger of another blood clot in your lungs? I think you need to go into all the possible mishaps you could have and their consequences so that you have a good idea of the risks you would be exposing yourself to if you where around horses. Only then will you be able to make an informed decision on the level of risk you would be willing to take.
I still ride but have scaled down the risks I take: if the pony seems to tense up during a ride I will only ride him through it if I can feel he is still with me, otherwise I will get off until he calms down. I wear my medic alert bracelet all the time and a riding hat to lead. I have made it a rule to never handle other people's horses as I cannot predict their reactions so accurately. If I still wanted to work with horses, I would probably try to acquire some qualification to work around them. Nothing is totally risk free but physiotherapy, saddlery, hydrotherapy would be a few I would look at and I would just refuse to deal with any client's horses that would be acting dangerously. Probably less risky than driving a car.
 
Ok. Deep breath.

Live your live. Don’t mess around worrying about things that may never happen.

I have a friend who’s been on blood thinners for years. Grooms for hunters full time. Has had accidents of course but as long as you know what you need to do and what actions might need to be taken then it’s fine. (She had an accident-can I say entirely her fault!- ended up with a broken bones. Had to have a small op so in hospital awaiting op. Worse thing? Nurses had to be constantly reminded by her that she needed her blood thinning meds given to her. Because she’d brought them into hospital, the hospital hadn’t issued them. Sometimes the NHS doesn’t do joined up thinking! But she says that was just a bit tiresome)

Get your self one of those Medicaid bracelets thingys (where you list your medical history and meds) and wear at all times. Everyone should keep ‘ICE’-in case of emergency, contacts on their phone you may consider an app for ambulance/doctors with medical history? If you feel the need maybe ask for advice in the event of a blood loss incidents (nose bleeds come to mind. But my husband is on thinners as he had a stroke and he gets nose bleeds all the time. It isn’t particularly difficult to stop the flow if you do it correctly) and make sure employer/yard staff know?

As to employers they shouldn’t discriminate and I doubt they will. It wouldn’t put me off. Are you particularly clumsy with a knife?! 🤣. Honestly. Live your life and I can’t stress that enough. They’ll be plenty of farmers for instance on thinners in far more dangerous situations. Or vets.

Sorry long post. Some of these things might not be at all relevant.

Oh! Quick story about blood thinner husband! He went out to cut a branch off one of our trees that was falling off. Appeared at kitchen window with blood dripping down his face. FFS. 🤣. Anyhoo branch had of course hit him on way down. Didn’t take long to stop it. The lecture he got took longer!

Now let us know what job you get and how you’re enjoying it. Good luck.
 
I’m on Apixaban, lifelong. In theory, I’m not meant to do anything. In practice, what’s the point if I don’t live my life? I don’t get on silly youngsters or anything that looks slightly dodgy(!) but I do carry a card although you guys have reminded me that I should really have a bracelet on. It’s on my SOS info on my phone and I potter on as usual. Yes, I also have random bruises, and wear a helmet when driving or riding at all times… randomly, apart from in showing classes and dressage and cones when doing trials with an experienced horse. I wear a helmet with youngsters and newbies for a good couple of years for both.
I do, however, work in an office, Commercial Water Account Manager, Ops and Services Manager which means plenty of client, supplier and partner calls that reduces typing time- my Apixaban is due to clotting following operation number 4 on my collarbone (rotational fall over a SJ with a 5 year old homebred)- so I don’t get too sore.
 
Hi everyone!

Wow, wow, wow - I was not expecting this many messages, and you were all so lovely and there are so many helpful comments.

I didn't know about the medi alert bracelet, so that is definitely something to get, even if I wasn't going to be working with horses anymore.

In the immediate future I have to take it easy anyway, I have shortness of breath in rest, it is quite a significant PE, so it's gonna take a little while before I am fit for any active work. I had an X-Ray, echo and ultrasound of my heart and other organs, which were all fine. They've now sent my blood for a specialized test, of which I won't get the results for another 6 weeks. The doctors are just trying to figure out why this is happening to someone at my age.

It's reassuring to hear that many people haven't completely given up on horses and what precautions they have taken. I was actually already looking at putting some money aside to do a saddle fitting course in the UK anyways, just to add this to my skill set, but perhaps I could turn this in to a full time job. Or even like people suggested, working in an office of a racing yard could be a good option.

For now I think I will wait the 6 weeks for the bloodresults before even thinking about getting on a horse, but after that I can have a chat with my GP. I think I could be content with finding myself an old happy hacker to ride and have a job that is low risk but still involves horses.

Again, thank you all for all the messages, they have been helpful. Even my partner read them and it has reassured him a bit that I am not the only stubborn equestrian who doesn't want to give up 🤣
 
LittleToTheRight said:
Hi everyone!

Wow, wow, wow - I was not expecting this many messages, and you were all so lovely and there are so many helpful comments.

I didn't know about the medi alert bracelet, so that is definitely something to get, even if I wasn't going to be working with horses anymore.

In the immediate future I have to take it easy anyway, I have shortness of breath in rest, it is quite a significant PE, so it's gonna take a little while before I am fit for any active work. I had an X-Ray, echo and ultrasound of my heart and other organs, which were all fine. They've now sent my blood for a specialized test, of which I won't get the results for another 6 weeks. The doctors are just trying to figure out why this is happening to someone at my age.

It's reassuring to hear that many people haven't completely given up on horses and what precautions they have taken. I was actually already looking at putting some money aside to do a saddle fitting course in the UK anyways, just to add this to my skill set, but perhaps I could turn this in to a full time job. Or even like people suggested, working in an office of a racing yard could be a good option.

For now I think I will wait the 6 weeks for the bloodresults before even thinking about getting on a horse, but after that I can have a chat with my GP. I think I could be content with finding myself an old happy hacker to ride and have a job that is low risk but still involves horses.

Again, thank you all for all the messages, they have been helpful. Even my partner read them and it has reassured him a bit that I am not the only stubborn equestrian who doesn't want to give up 🤣
Click to expand...

Hi, your plans sound really sensible. I got my medical bracelet from Amazon, cheap too, so thats easily fixed, I was on Apixaban, and they had the relevant bracelet. I also had xrays, echo and ultrasound of my heart, (really interesting to watch) because they couldnt find any contributing factors to my PE, but all investigations were thankfully fine. I also was a bit short of breath to begin with,and I couldnt sleep lying down for a while, but I found I could ride, just gentle hacking, before I could start teaching, because I couldnt raise my voice without getting very breathless, but it got better very quickly.

There are lots of non riding careers within the equine industry, so you do have choices, but I would wait a little and get your blood results before making any decisions, theres no rush, concentrate on getting well first, but its great that you are open to all options, wishing you speedy healing.
 
LittleToTheRight said:
Hi all!

Firstly, let me apologize ahead of time if this is not in the right forum, I am new here 😊

Essentially I was hoping to gather some experiences and/or opinions from my fellow horsey people.
Yesterday I was diagnosed with a PE (pulmonary embolism) or also known as a bloodclot in my lung. Unfortunatly for me, this is my second one and this means I will have to take lifelong bloodthinners. I am only 28, so I still have many years of work ahead of me. Now where this gets tricky; I have previously worked in the professional horse industry for 8 years, as well as studied Equine Business Management. I did have a 3 year break from horses and worked a corporate job, but I was MISERABLE. I've really missed being outside and around the stables.
I was actively looking this last month to go back in to a rider / groom position, but obviously this diagnosis has stirred things up a bit.

I know I could probably try to find an office job within a horse yard, but I was wondering what other peoples experiences are around this. I am not entirely sure where to put my limitations. In theory anytime I am near a horse I could get injured, even on the ground, but I can also fall down the stairs at home 🤷‍♀️

If you own horses and were put on bloodthinners, what did you do? Or as an employer, would you even employ someone with this medical history?

I'm sorry if it's a bit of a ramble, I am still trying to process it myself & it's been a long day.

Thanks for reading 😊


TLDR: What should I still be able to do around horses when using bloodthinners, if anything? As this was previously my actual (preferred) profession.
Click to expand...
 
I have been on thinners for two years, had a tooth removed it did not bleed any more than normal, but I did used to have high blood pressure, one may have offset the other. But anyway still ride but did give up scuba diving.
 
If you did everything that medics advise then you might end up only sitting quietly at home in a corner colouring in!
My husband is on blood thinners and he’s currently in hospital due to a decorating accident.
Not one doctor ever told him not to do decorating.
To be fair, he was actually told to be very careful with ladders…
It all comes down to YOUR attitude to risk
 
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