Trail Riding etc with an HIV Infected Person

[pinkhorse]

WF - thanks so much for posting this. Hopefully you’ll do everyone a great service as well as yourself.

I’ve skimmed through this thread so I know some of this has been said already but I’ll say it anyway…

The term is “universal precautions”. It means that you treat everyone as if they had a disease that can be transmitted through blood or body fluids (not only HIV). All health care professionals know about this and follow it - if they don’t they’re crazy. (I am amazed that someone posted about a volunteer rescue squad that didn’t have universal precautions as part of their policies!!!)

Problem is, not everyone in the world knows to follow universal precautions - yet. We’ve had this discussion on my martial arts list but I’ve yet to discuss it with my teacher. There needs to be a policy that if anyone bleeds in the dojang or has blood on their uniform they change, no one touches. I plan to write up a paragraph that he can put in the newsletter.

I would recommend the same thing at your barn. EVERYONE should be treated in case of an emergency in the same way - the way they’d treat you if they knew. So, I’d suggest talking to the barn owner and asking about putting out a policy on this.

Regarding the specific sensitivity of HIV - you don’t really need to bring it up if you don’t want to. You can just say that you have a chronic disease that can be transferred through blood and bodily fluids and you felt it was important, blah blah blah. You can let people know about the gloves (great idea!!!). Also, I don’t know what you can get on a medic alert. (I tell my patients all the time to get them for diabetes…) You can probably get something, again, that doesn’t say “HIV Positive” but that does say something about precautions for contact with blood and bodily fluids.

Again, congrats for telling us about this. I’ve always (and I mean always) been amazed at how limited people are in their abilities to comprehend the risks involved in dealing with people with HIV in day-to-day contacts or even professionally. It’s scary, but simple precautions can allow non-HIV infected people to have perfectly wonderful relationships with HIV+ people.

When I was a nursing student, early in the epidemic - 1985 it must have been - we had an admission on the floor of an HIV+ man. All that needed to be done at that moment was his admission - paper work, getting him settled in his room, etc. NONE of the nursings staff would do it!!! Finally, I, a student just said, “For Pete’s sake, give me the chart!” It was incredible to me how afraid they were.

Anyway, that’s my own story… I do so appreciate you bringing this up. There’s plenty of HIV+ people in the horse world and this needs to be talked about a lot.

Best health to you for at least the next 14 years!!!

[Wild_Filly]

I don’t know if they make those bracelets for HIV, I will check with my doc though. The outpouring of response’s with such warmth and insight has been blowing my mind. I would love to go for a trail ride with all of you! As I said, I get physically ill when I have to tell somone, it’s pretty rough on me. My barn manager doesn’t know and after reading your responses, I guess I’m going to have to tell her. I hope she is educated about this enough to not freak out and hate me for not telling her sooner.

[Wild_Filly]

Robby, that is so very sweet of you and I appreciate it. I makes sense. It is also easier to say from your side of the fence assuming you are HIV negative. If you are HIV positive, then God Bless You and keep setting a good example for us wimps.
I can’t handle the drama and trauma of it all. I wish I could tell everyone, like if it were Cancer, everyone would know. But what I have is the plauge and it’s everyone’s worst fear, including mine.
I will fight this ugly disease until my last breath and hope I can take your advice and allow my friends to support me more. Robby, you are a great guy, I can tell.

[hitchinmygetalong]

Interesting topic.

Thanks for bringing this very important topic up.

I sit here and ponder what my reaction would be should someone at my barn tell me they were HIV+. I would certainly hope it wouldn’t change anything except perhaps increase my respect for them - how brave they are to open up about this unfortunately scary subject.

I voted to tell one person, but I think a Med-Alert bracelet or necklace is also a good idea. However, should you be bleeding and unconcious, how many people are going to look for a Med-Alert before tending to the wound?

Gosh, I have just never thought of how being HIV+ must affect the day-to-day lives of so many people. Thanks for educating me.

Welcome to the boards, Wild Filly. And should you find yourself in our neck of the woods, let’s go trail riding!

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning to sail my ship.”
-Louisa May Alcott

[Linny]

Welcome Wild Filly. I think that what was said above makes sense. Due to the risks involved in riding someone needs to be aware of your medical status. I would say the same if you had any condition that could require special attention. A friend of mine who rides is diabetic. If (God forbid) she was knocked unconcious in a spill her pre-existing condition should be made known to medical people. The same is true in your case.
Anyone who is in the position of administering medical aid to you shpould be made aware. What Lamb said about your readiness to be open to talking about HIV is important. If you are not ready, you still have to assure the safety of those around you.

Welcome to the bb. BTW, you really didn’t give much time for responses before making a follow-up about the “acceptability” of the topic. The bb is very busy but 20 minutes or so is not much time, especially at a time of daywhen many peeps are in transit.
I think you’ll find a welcoming and accepting group here. We have a huge cross section.

Resident racing historian

[Wild_Filly]

ok jetsmom, I’m bawling!!! You guys are blowing my mind!

[Bethe_Mounce]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RolexH:
I think you are awesome for discussing it and getting awareness out there. THANK YOU!! My trainer unfortuntely passed a few years back. I also have a very god friend who his HIV pos and hasn’t been able to discuss it with anyone due to the stigma that can come with it. I think that is a shame. SHe is a wonderful and brave and healthy woman. Anyway, thank you, and My prayers are heading your way.

Lisa
Save a life, be an organ donor
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That goes ditto for me. Heck, I’d be your riding companion any day of the week…no matter whether you were HIV positive or not…

[Pookah]

I think that it’s only wise to be sure that several people around the barn know of your status, for your safety and for theirs. As you said, people’s reactions are going to determine for you whether or not they are true friends. Sorry, but if someone freaks out about the fact that you are HIV+ and are responsible enough and care about them enough to tell them-do you really need them as friends anyway? I’ve ridden for 21 years, and I’ve found that you will meet the best and the worst people you’ll ever know in this sport. I would hope that in your barn you’re surrounded by the best and they won’t really care, except to be concerned about the health of a friend. Also, as someone who works with disabled & ill people, I have to say that the way you discuss your status will have an impact on others’ reactions (just maybe not immediately). If you continually treat it as no big deal, everyone else will, too.

“The only thing you will ever get two horsepeople to agree on is that the third one is wrong” -Author Unknown

[Wild_Filly]

Thank you so much for your prayers.

[Wild_Filly]

Yes, I have had many, many invites for rides, thank you all so much for making me feel welcome. It sure is nice to be here with all of you nice people.

[Wild_Filly]

Do you feel that a person who is HIV+ has a responsibility to inform those they ride with?

[This message was edited by Wild Filly on Jan. 29, 2003 at 04:12 PM.]

[slp]

I can’t really add any suggestions to what has already been said, but just wanted to say welcome Faith…this is a really great bunch here on these boards, I hope you stick around!

Susan

[system]

I’d ride with you.

I vote for the Medic Alert bracelet or armband. Probably the armband, as you can put more info in it (I think…). Rather than telling people all about your illness, merely tell people that you are wearing an armband and in case of emergency, it contains important information. This is non-specific enough that you shouldn’t be concerned about negative reactions, but they will know it’s there. If anyone presses you for more information, tell them that your medical history is not their concern and the information is merely there in case of emergency.

[Wild_Filly]

And most of the time I am riding with the same person and they are aware.

[Duffy]

Welcome to the BB, Wild Filly.

My first gut reaction, before reading the choices thoroughly, was HELL NO! It’s no one’s business if you’re just riding with them, for heaven’s sake. But, then I read more and realized that perhaps that wasn’t the best choice. I think you’re being very responsible in having the kit w/ gloves and letting a few people know.

When I first started running rescue with a very active volunteer rescue squad, we didn’t wear gloves routinely. I even gave mouth-to-mouth because the person with the mask and O2 was taking too damn long to get in the house.

As the years passed, we started disinfecting like crazy between calls and ALWAYS wore gloves. We did appreciate it when callers told us someone had an infectious disease of any kind, just so we could take even more precautions. If blood were evident, sometimes we used two pairs of gloves if we knew the person had an infectious disease. We didn’t care if is was HIV or some other disorder. We did not treat the patients any differently, possibly because we WERE more educated than your normal person on the street. Also, we had a responsibility to other patients, thus we had to take care of ourselves.

Sorry to have run on here. Anyway, bless you and keep you safe and ride on there, girl!

[Oldenburg_Mom]

Wild Filly…

This board is a refuge for horse people … I’m glad you found it. And, like others, I could care less if you are HIV positive, negative or indifferent! (tryin’ to make you smile!!!)

I haven’t read all 6 pages either, but just as a note, I have taken numerous first aid courses and ALWAYS, it is stressed. GLOVES, GLOVES, GLOVES. Doesn’t matter what, who or where. GLOVES.

And BTW, I’ve made some life-long friends on this board. Hope it’s the same for you.

Just a thought…
KT

Proud member of the SunnieFlax Clique
P.S. OMG! Only 8 days till I pick up my little guy! 10 days=nervous wreck; 15 day mark=babbling idiot. (thanks Spot!)Newest member of the Klutz Klique <bump, crash, waaaaa>

[EvntRydr]

I just want to say welcome to the board! This is a very hard topic for someone to discuss I would think, so bravo for your courage.

I voted for telling one person. I would also tell your best riding buddies. Although at many barns (as it’s been said before) thats like telling everyone.

How wonderful that you continue riding and have your poner to keep you going and motivated!

Welcome!

Proud owner of Wishes and Wylie!

"Panic, chaos, disorder... my job here is done."

[SaddleFitterVA]

Wild Filly,

I voted No, but almost did the “tell one person”. I’m with those who believe everyone should practice safety around bodily fluids.

I worked for 2 years in a men’s maximum security prison. There was a VERY high rate of HIV+ there and we learned to treat ALL blood with great care.

For the longest time I carried latex gloves with me in my car, trailer and the works…I should get back into that habit, ended up using them with various horse injuries over the years.

People are ignorant about HIV 1-4 in this country, and it is sad that there was such an outcry here against the South African version of Sesame Street having an HIV+ child.

I’d be happy to ride with you and not know your status, or even if I knew your status I would still ride with you. I do know safe procedures about most first aid, although I’m sure I should take a refresher course.

Mel

[GatoGordo]

I am impressed with your bravery, Wild Filly. I wish you nothing but continued health and happiness.

I agree that you should have some sort of medical file at the barn where you ride; heck, so should everyone. I am on medications that significantly affect how my body metabolizes other drugs (for example, I have trouble with some OTC analgesics, and must take smaller doses), so I try to let a couple other people at the barn know. While I am more than happy to tell someone about them and explain why I am on them, I still have some of my own fears about the drugs I am on. HIV is much more stigmatized than mental illness, but I still suggest to you that you use a written letter to explain to everyone you wish to tell, if anyone, in hopes that this might alleviate some of your discomfort. I found that typing or writing allowed me to say what I needed to say to an apparently inanimate object. I told myself that I could not control other’s reactions, and could only hope for the best and educate them if needed.

You are more than welcome to ride with me; eyes up, kick on!

[Janeway]

Welcome to the boards!

I would echo those above that the only ones who need to be aware are the people in charge of the stables, who would more than likely be responsible should you get hurt and require medical attention.

Otherwise, I would not consider it an issue