Do you ride when sick?

[mydogs]

Three questions:

1. do you ride when you are sick?
2. do you compete?
   2a) if you compete, what level do you show at?

I am currently sick with a sore throat and a slight light headness, so I opted to stay home for 2-3 days and not ride so I can hopefully get better quicker. Last month I was sick but had a show that was approaching so I took 2 days off and then rode, but it took about a week for me to get better. Of course, if I have a really bad case of the flu, fever, and major fatigue, I wouldn’t dare go to the barn. My biggest worry is being close to passing out while riding.

Someone else at my barn was really sick (sounded and looked horrible), but she still rode a few horses and took care of horses (since it pays her bills). If I was that sick, I would have been in bed getting better.

So that got me thinking. I’ve heard a bunch of top riders say that to be the best, you should ride even when you don’t want to - that is dedication. But, do they still ride when sick?

I’m curious to see what others do and to see if there is a pattern. Do upper level, competitive riders tend to ride through sickness while pleasure/non-competitive riders take the time off? Or maybe it is the opposite?

[Training_Cupid]

Usually yes, riding helps me forget how lousy I’m feeling and cheers me up. I might take it a bit easier. Luckily I don’t get sick very often, I’m sure past a certain point I wouldn’t ride. Riding is a hobby for me, but I don’t think I’ve taken a sick day at work (I close my office door and keep my germs to myself)

[Lassan]

Yes! I know its not good for me, but a few times I went out to the barn with a high fever! I don’t recommend it though, if you need too, take a break and rest. I passed out once from dehydration, so don’t push yourself too hard.

[Foxtrot_s]

Ha! Riders get so competitive they will ride with a broken collar bone or fingers!
Just don’t ride when you are PMS and might take it out on your horse - I’ve walked away a few times on such occasions.
But if you are likely to spread anything, your colleagues will not appreciate them and you will get better quicker.
Honestly, sometimes a horse is better off without constant drilling, freshens them up with a break. They never forget what they have learned.

[hopashore1]

I don’t ride if I’m feeling really dizzy or if there is a big GI component, or if I think dehydration is a big risk due to fever, but will absolutely ride through other sicknesses. I find the fresh air being at the barn and the “something to do” takes my mind off of feeling miserable for a bit. I might back off the workload so I’m not maximizing my physical effort, but we might do an easy flatwork day or hack or lunge. If I had a show coming up or was at a show I would absolutely ride through it–I can’t afford to toss around show fee money without at least trying to make it count.

[PNWjumper]

I ride pretty much no matter what. Two summers ago I rode (and showed 5 horses) with a broken collarbone and separated shoulder (thank you, KT Tape!) and this summer I broke 2 ribs and was back riding the next day (albeit, in a cranked down rib belt and everything posting or at the 2-point for the first 3 weeks…and there was an incredible amount of pain involved).

So yes, I ride pretty much no matter what. But also, I have 10 horses and if I don’t ride they don’t get worked and it throws my whole schedule into chaos. So the punishment for not riding is usually greater than the reward for getting at least some of the rides done!

With that being said, if I feel REALLY crummy (like legitimate flu level) I will skip a day or two. Though a couple of years ago my helper and I got food poisoning (or a terrible bug of some sort that involved a lot of puking and zero tolerance for food for 3 days) and I showed through that entire bug because I was already at the show and didn’t feel like I had much of an option. I mean, I could have skipped riding, but I still had to clean stalls/feed/hand walk, so riding wasn’t much more of a stretch.

I don’t know if all of that speaks more to dedication and consistency (I like to think it does, lol) or just plain old stubbornness (more likely).

Also, my answers change a little based on the time of the year. During the show season I give myself very little slack to take a day off and will push through just about anything. During the off season I’m much more inclined to take it easy when the weather is terrible or I’m not feeling well.

[Jumping31]

If it’s a little cold or soreness anywhere I toughen up and get over it. I usually feel a lot better mentally after I ride anyways. But anything severe enough that doctors want me to stay home (serious illness, contagious, potentially high risk) I stay at home. I would rather miss a day of riding than get other riders sick, put myself or my horses in danger because I am physically not in top shape to handle possible issues. You have to take care of yourself first if you’re going to take care of your horses and get back on

[Scribbler]

If I have taken a sick day from work I don’t ride. I probably still do chores.

I don’t ride if I feel like my focus will be off and not fair to horse.

If it was something special clinic show excursion ID probably do it as riding does make me feel better!

[Palm_Beach]

What about spreading your illness to the people you come in contact with during your noble quest to keep riding and competing? How did you get sick in the first place? Someone else’s germs. At least stay home during the time period you are contagious. It might only cost you a few rides or a show, it may cost someone else a few really important days off work, or a kid may then infect a whole school. Where the heck did common sense go???

[eclipse]

Dizzy from incoming migraine I don’t jump, but will flat. Fever, nausea, bronchitis, strep throat, etc nope I stay home…I don’t want to spread my nasty germs around and if I feel that crappy I don’t want to ride or get out of bed anyway! General cough and cold, yes I suck it up and ride as normal and the sweating usually helps me feel better faster

[Highflyer]

@Palm Beach

What about spreading your illness to the people you come in contact with during your noble quest to keep riding and competing? How did you get sick in the first place? Someone else’s germs. At least stay home during the time period you are contagious. It might only cost you a few rides or a show, it may cost someone else a few really important days off work, or a kid may then infect a whole school. Where the heck did common sense go???

I have to do the barnwork anyway, so I’m already infecting them.

[ActNatural]

I think the answer changes with age and experience. I used to think I was super tough and rode through anything. Now, not so much.

Listening to your body should be intuitive but it’s not. Unless riding is your job, if you are really sick, staying off is better for your body and your horse. Take a day off and catch up on Netflix. It’ll probably help you get better faster.

I always think of the neck check; if your symptoms are above the neck (sneezing, stuffy nose, headache, sore throat) then riding is probably ok. But if symptoms are below neck (achy, fatigue, coughing, chest congestion, etc) don’t ride! Add fever to the don’t ride!

[Sunflower]

I used to ride through anything, but now if I am not feeling well I do not ride. (i.e. so unwell I would stay home from work). right now I am recovering from some horrible bronchitis-- not been to ride all week-- hoping to feel well enough to tomorrow. I have barely been able to drag myself to work and home again. I am exhausted. Seems like a recipe for a riding disaster. At best, it would be an unproductive ride.

[PNWjumper]

@Palm Beach

What about spreading your illness to the people you come in contact with during your noble quest to keep riding and competing? How did you get sick in the first place? Someone else’s germs. At least stay home during the time period you are contagious. It might only cost you a few rides or a show, it may cost someone else a few really important days off work, or a kid may then infect a whole school. Where the heck did common sense go???

[edit]

I’m going to assume that you’re directing your grouchy armchair quarterbacking at all of the people who say they still go to the barn sick, but I will respond for my own circumstance. When I’m home, my horses are at my house. I infect no one else when I ride sick from day to day.

At shows, I don’t come anywhere near being in physical contact with anyone while riding. I’m not touching things, I’m not coughing at or near anyone. I’m quite sure that the danger of infection comes from when the sick person is walking around the barn and doing the chores that require touching things and being around people. But funny story, at shows those are the things that I HAVE TO DO because I’m the only one I have to take care of the horses. There’s no one I can call to say, “hey could you clean my stalls, feed my horses, and handwalk everyone?” And I would imagine that the same goes for others who have mentioned that they have chores they have to do.

So once again, thank you for the thoughtful and helpful suggestion that is completely out of touch with the reality of having horses.

And I will add, to the OP’s last paragraph, all of the high level and serious riders I know ride and compete unless they are literally physically unable to do so. I have walked the course with more almost-too-sick-to-walk riders than I can count over the years. For most, this is their living and they have little choice. I feel the same pressure at shows despite only riding my own horses. There are many, many times when I wish I could stay in bed and take the time to recuperate, but that just isn’t an option that I feel like I have. ESPECIALLY at shows because of the expense and timing, but even at home (for the reason I mentioned above).

[Palm_Beach]

https://www.healthline.com/health/ai…es#prevention7
Airborne diseases

You can catch some diseases simply by breathing. These are called airborne diseases.

Airborne disease can spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, spewing nasal and throat secretions into the air. Certain viruses or bacteria take flight and hang in the air or land on other people or surfaces.

When you breathe airborne pathogenic organisms in, they take up residence inside you. You can also pick up germs when you touch an infected surface, and then touch your own eyes, nose, or mouth.

Because these diseases travel in the air, they’re hard to control.
Types of airborne diseases

Many diseases are spread through the air, including these:

The common cold

Millions of cases of the common cold occur each year in the United States. Most adults get two or three colds a year. Children tend to get them more frequently. The common cold is the top reason for absences at school and work. There are many viruses that can cause a cold, but it’s usually a rhinovirus.

Influenza

Most of us have some experience with the flu. It spreads so easily because it’s contagious about a day before you notice the first symptoms. It remains contagious for another five to seven days. If you have a weakened immune system for any reason, you can spread it to others for longer than that.

There are many strains of the flu, and they are constantly changing. That makes it difficult for your body to develop immunities.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. If you have chickenpox, you can spread it for a day or two before you get the telltale rash. It takes up to 21 days after exposure for the disease to develop. What you can do to prevent spreading an airborne disease

Although it’s impossible to completely avoid airborne pathogens, there are some things you can do to lower your chances of getting sick:

• Avoid close contact with people who have active symptoms of disease.
• [B]Stay home when you're sick. Don't let vulnerable people come in close contact with you.[/B]
• [B]If you must be around others, wear a face mask to prevent spreading or breathing in germs.[/B]
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your elbow to cut down on the possibility of transmitting germs on your hands.
• Wash your hands thoroughly (at least 20 seconds) and often, especially after sneezing or coughing.
• Avoid touching your face or other people with unwashed hands.

[Magicboy]

It’s my hobby and loved passion, not my job. When I’m sick, I don’t ride

[GoodTimes]

Yes I go to the barn and ride unless I feel nauseated.

I work in a hospital with cardiac patients so I know more then the average person about hygiene, isolation, and the transmission of diseases.
If I’m at work I wash or sanitize my hands probably over 100 times in a day. I wear gloves if I’m touching patients or dirty linens or equipment. I wear a mask if I don’t feel well, am coughing/sneezing, runny nose, etc. I use CAVI wipes to clean everything that myself or patients have touched. I follow all protocols.
I also get my flu shot every year in an attempt to protect the vulnerable people that I work with.

When I go to the barn I don’t come within 5 feet of other people on a regular day, if I’m sick I stay at the other end of the barn. The only things I touch are my own things. If I have to use the washroom I wash my hands after and wipe down the door knobs, fixtures, etc. If I’m sick it’s usually in the winter and I can cough into my scarf or my jacket.

If I’m stuffed up I always go do some sort of exercise to get things moving. Either a walk, run, or ride.

[Tory]

Honestly I would think for most people it would depend on whether horses are your job or your hobby, if you have shelled out lots of $$ for a show, and how “sick” you really are. Quite frankly, too broad of a spectrum to just say “sick”.

I certainly wouldn’t even attempt to ride if I had violent, uncontrollable diarrhea. But I would if I just had some coughing and sniffles.

My decision to ride is usually going to be based on whether or not I feel I can give my horses a positive experience.

My horses are at home, so either way I’m going to have to do the bare minimum to take care of them.

[2tempe]

Some years ago I spent two days at a horse show with stomach pains, but still rode. Turned out it was intestinal infection and I spent 3 days in the hospital immediately after. Yes, have ridden with colds and similar maladies. But there have been other times I just didn’t feel up to it- too much achy feeling for example.
Re spreading germs, well, in my xxx big number of years is corporate america, I can tell you that people came to work sick more than they called in sick. I spent far more times in confined spaces with them than I ever have at the barn.

[GoodTimes]

@2tempe

Re spreading germs, well, in my xxx big number of years is corporate america, I can tell you that people came to work sick more than they called in sick. I spent far more times in confined spaces with them than I ever have at the barn.

I used to work at a hospital where we started with 18 sick days/year. If you took more then 5 sick days in a six month period you had to attend multiple meetings with a manager and HR about why you were off work. Most people spend more then 5 days per year coughing yet easily able to do their jobs. It’s a catch 22 in a hospital. Do you stay home if you have a cold and could potentially infect other people, or do you go to work because you know they’ll be short staffed and busy tired employees are more at risk of making mistakes?