Riding on blood thinners

[sativum]

Hi everyone - I did do a search for this topic, but interested in hearing other experiences.

I was diagnosed with a DVT in my iliac vein and a pulmonary embolism about a month ago (with my on stall-rest horse kicking me in the stomach being a potential contributor of the DVT, but that is another story).

I am on blood thinners (Eliquis) for at least three months. Needless to say, I am anxious to be riding again.

I realize I should just wait out the two months, but I am very eager to get my horse back into condition and riding her again. Does anyone ride on blood thinners? I’m trying to gauge the risk. I can’t say there is no risk of falling with her, so I don’t want to be naive about that. I also haven’t seen a hematologist yet, so a bit fearful that being off the thinners in 3 months might be optimistic.

Thank you for any insights!

[LCDR]

I was on warfarin for about six months. I did not ride during that time. I already had six riding-related concussions, and I really feared
another fall might result in a cerebral bleed.

[Bogey2]

I have a boarder who rides and is on blood thinners and she always rides with another person in the ring. I have to say her horse is also extremely reliable.

[Zenyatta]

It’s n\not a good idea to ride on blood thinners. If you get hurt your risk of bleeding increases dramatically.

[libgrrl]

Been riding on Warfarin for 25 years. I’m not going to not ride!

[luvmyhackney]

Everyone has their own risk tolerance.

I was on blood thinners for 2 months and didn’t ride. I focused on ground work and long lining as it seemed safer.

If I was on blood thinners longer term, I probably would have felt comfortable to ride a quiet, safe horse that I trusted.

[libgrrl]

One of the reasons I stay on Warfarin rather than taking one of the more “modern” drugs (Eliquis etc) is that Warfarin is readily reversible. I actually had a bad accident about 5 years ago and told the ER docs on intake. Other than the broken ribs, all was ultimately well! I recognize that this may be a controversial opinion, but I have a condition that requires that I remain on blood thinners forever. Perhaps if this were a short-term thing, I’d be inclined to back off. I do, however, want to continue living my life, and riding is an important part of it.

[cayuse]

I was on a Eliquis for a year. The cardiologist told me I absolutely should not drive my pony and he was very much against me having to have anything to do with horses during the time I was on it. Once I saw how badly I bruised from everyday minor “bumps” while taking it, I decided he had a point and quit driving.

[RMJacobs]

That must have been a very long year.

Rebecca

[sativum]

I’m going to propose that as an option if I need to stay on thinners longer than 3 months, for just that reason.

[sativum]

I’ve been still interacting with my horse, but wearing a high-quality protective vest and helmet anytime I have her out. I can’t imagine having nothing to do with her!

[cayuse]

Yes it was. I still worked with them on the ground, I wasn’t going to give it up completely.

[cayuse]

I did ground work and agility. I just couldn’t give it up completely plus they are kept at home so I had to care for them. They are minis and a medium pony so I kept telling myself the risk was “smaller”. Like RMJacobs said, it was a long year.

[strangewings]

My Dr. had no concerns about riding on Eliquis. I had many concerns! I rode but didn’t jump and was much more comfortable after I realized I was not bruising more easily than normal and small nicks clotted almost normally. I was only on it for 6 months. My horse is mature and very safe.

[HorseLover65]

I know a few people who have had brain bleeds while on Eliquis - from the medication, not from injury. I know it is quite popular now, but I wouldn’t take it and I definitely wouldn’t ride while on it.

[RMJacobs]

I’m so sorry you went through this. Seems like the crap is never ending for people like us. I have a new possible diagnosis that is disturbing if true. I’ll PM you in a little while.

Rebecca

[cayuse]

I have migraines and every time I had a headache I got freaked out thinking I was about to have a brain bleed. I tried to get them to put me on coumadin but the doctors refused because it would need monitoring. I was happy to to the bloodwork, no problems. AFAIK Eliquis can’t be reversed if you have a bleed so you are at it’s mercy.

[libgrrl]

Exactly why I’m on Coumadin. When I was diagnosed with Factor V Leiden after 2 DVT’s at 34, that was the only game in town. I’ve never switched – and I won’t.

[DLee1]

Thank you for this thread. I am newly diagnosed with a rare form of Vasculitis and am on Eliquis and Trental as well as aspirin.
I’m going to look into warfarin instead.
Definitely not riding at this time because I’m still in recovery but it’s in my plan at some point.

[dotneko]

I have been on coumadin for 25 years. I still rode and competed through grand prix dressage and my horse was a loon lol. I did not wear a helmet once and he lawn darted me into my indoor while mounting (hornets in the mounting block). I woke up in my cat scan. All was OK. After that I was religious about a helmet.

I have Factor V leiden, 2 bad copies lucky me!, so I will be on coumadin for life. 3 PEs, 2 DVTs prior to diagnosis. They originally thought it was just birth control pills causing it. Genetic testing wasnt as common in those days. One sister has one bad copy. The other sister has no bad copies - we think mom must have fooled around with the mailman

My insurance did cover an at home blood monitor kit. Its a weekly finger prick to check my INR. I adjust my dosage accordingly. Then I head into the MA clinic every 2 months to calibrate my machine. That machine makes life so much easier!!

Forgot to add - when I had cancer and a mastectomy and reconstruction, I had a greenfield filter put in my groin. Its job is to catch any stray clots. The cancer surgery was 10 hours and they had to take me off coumadin, so they wanted backup. Its still there 20 years later. Who knows what it looks like - probably unable to remove it at this point.

Questions? I am the coumadin queen lol.