Trail Riding etc with an HIV Infected Person

[Wild_Filly]

I must have missed that, I’d like to make it clear to that person. I don’t want any false idea’s about transmission coming out of this and I know it has been mentioned that HIV is not as easily spread as other diseases. It all depends on the situation. But the bottom line is that you are at risk if you have ANY kind of open cut, even teeny tiny cuts you may not be aware of and come in contact in that area with bodily fluids especially blood from an infected individual. The virus continues to live outside the body, for how long is under debate but it has been proven to live for a matter of minutes. Please don’t take any chances and protect yourself, there is no turning back once you are infected. We are not talking about a cold or flu that will go away, we are talking about a devastating virus that will kill you. It is a very serious matter and while I’m on my little soapbox, ladies, please know that heterosexual women are at a greater risk from getting HIV from a man than it is for a man to get it from a women. A woman is at a much greater risk via sex. Sorry for the length…it’s a touchy subject.

I’m thirsty anyway, so bring on the rain…JoDee Messina

[Wild_Filly]

Pinkhorse, thanks you obviously have a bit of education in this area. But I will have to say that by just telling someone that you have a chronic illness and not to touch your bodily fludids, you make it worse. It’s always worse to lie. It just makes a lot of people more curious.

[ximmer]

Wild Filly,

I just wanted to say welcome aboard and thank you for starting such a great first topic. You are a wonderful addition to the community and would be welcome on a trail ride with me anytime. You would probably have to rescue me, though, because my horse is a wild woman.

ximmer

[Wild_Filly]

Not unless you have an open cut and are exposed to my blood. It could be a paper cut and if it is still open, you would want to avoid any contact with infected blood. Thus the gloves are the best thing to have because you just never know. You may think you won’t get any blood on you for very minor situations, but you never know and it’s better to be safe than sorry especially when dealing with a disease that has no cure.

[KellyT]

Hi:

This is a very interesting topic. I would inform the barn manager, fill out a medical sheet and alsooo wear a bracelet. Having major medical issues and being disabled, I always speak with the barn manager prior to enrolling in lessons because of the liability issues related to their insurance.

Kelly Toukatly

[JRG]

I would have to say I would have no problem riding with you at all.

As a friend (other wise why would you be riding with this person), I would hope that that type of information would be shared so that I could help you better in case of an emergency. No different really if you were riding with someone that had epelepsy (sp) diabities, or any other health issue that might be relevent in case of an accident.

[Treat_Wench]

Wild Filly,
Glad you brought up this subject, it is very important for people to be aware and educated. Thank you

Formerly greengrl

“We like to walk…”

[SillyHorse]

Maybe I don’t get it, but why would it be lying to tell someone you have a chronic illness, and not to touch your bodliy fluids?

By the way, Wild Filly, you can trail ride, go to the movies, come to my house for dinner any time.

SillyHorse
~ I do whatever my Rice Krispies tell me to.

[Khataan]

I have been lurking here since this thread started. I was really hoping someone would also notice and say something…

First of all, WELCOME Wild Filly, you are a brave and inspirational person to us all… by posting your story you have truly shown what the powerful bond between a horse and a human can accomplish!!!

Now, I am not starting anything, no flaming, but did any of you notice that a junior posted here and does not know how HIV is transmitted. Am I wrong to be bothered by this?

Quantum Physics meet Dressage…Superposition Position

[Blue_Devil]

I am going to vote NO. You should not feel compelled to inform anyone of your health status, unless you get to a point where you cannot safely ride without being worried about falling off or such.

As the daughter of a Pathologist who runs a hospital laboratory and a blood bank, I have grown up around the phrase “Universal Precautions.” I (try to) treat any bodily flood as if it is potentially carrying an infectious disease.

I think it is naive of us to assume in today’s world that there aren’t others out there, and specifically riders, who are carrying the HIV or AIDs virus. Who is to say that such riders aren’t even aware of their status?

I am going to go out on a limb here and venture to say I guess that in the 6,000 of us there is someone out there who rides at a barn where there is either an HIV infected rider or employee of sorts. Whether this person knows this or not, I think that the statistics are on my side.

Keep this in perspective. ALWAYS try to assume the worst with anyone.

Here’s a fact sheet from Canada about Universal Percautions: http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/ppe/universa.html

Here’s an American version (from a school system): http://www.rcs.k12.in.us/eses/universal%20precautions.htm

Another aspect to bring up is the “Sharps” container. This is why it is so important for everyone to properly dispose of any needles (etc) at horse shows and even around the barn. We don’t know everyone’s status, it’s not only improbable it’s a violation of their privacy. But we can take certain steps to insure the best possible protection for ourselves.

formerly Emily A My karma ran over your dogma.

[cinnabar]

Glad to have you here, Wild Filly! Thank you so much for bringing up this topic! I’m in agreement with those who feel that telling key folks at your barn is important. Ditto for the medic-alert bracelet.

One might be able to understand an initial frightened or negative reaction upon learning of your HIV status, but if such a person has no interest in being educated or trying to understand your condition, then you probably don’t want to be friends with them or ride with them anyway.

Oh, and you can ride with me anytime!

cinnabar

[FlightCheck]

not MY business to know…

but as a barn owner/manager/trainer who DOES know CPR and would be your first responder, I think it would be a kindness to tell me.

That being said, I know that I would keep your request to myself…but many people LOVE to gossip. So It would depend on how trustworthy your coach/barn manager is.

You’re welcome at Flight Check Farm anytime.

[Heidi]

The challenge is to maintain your right to privacy while protecting the welfare of others.

Thinking back to accidents that I’ve witnessed, both in and out of the horse world, you would seemingly have to tell EVERYONE in order to truly ensure against the transference of the disease. That said, in the case of serious accidents, emergency services are very quick to respond; and, if anything, civilians who rush in to assist often end up doing more harm than good.

I think the chances of you sustaining an injury while trail-riding which may result in the loss of blood and the possibility that you infect any of your fellow riders is so remote that I’d tell only those who truly do need to know - and with whom you are comfortable sharing the information.

My best friend died of AIDS ten years ago within a year of diagnosis with HIV so I’m painfully familiar with the challenges presented by both the disease and social hysteria.

I wish you well, WildFilly - and welcome to the BB!

[Coreene]

Wild Filly, I take my hat off to you.

All I can share with you is my own experience. When I took a header off my horse, I cut the back of my head open, and amount of blood was amazing and instant. I am sure no one would have taken the time to read a medical alert bracelet (same time as I did CPR on someone who was dying, it never would have occured to me to check a bracelet, she needed help then and not two seconds later).

Being the black and white kind of gal that I am, all I can say is how I think I would feel if I was wearing your shoes: I would tell them, and if they were too narrow minded to want to hang with you because of that, I’d think (OSBOURNE WORD) and (ANOTHER OSBOURNE WORD) and (THIRD OSBOURNE WORD), because you don’t need people like that in your life anyhow. There are a lot of us who would welcome you with open arms, and you’d have much more fun hanging with us anyhow.

You GO, girl!

[RacetrackReject]

Like many others on this board, my barn has everyone fill out a medical form where any illnesses, allergies, etc… are listed for use in emergency situations. Also, my very best and favorite riding buddy has Hepatitis C. Not many people at our barn know that she has it, but the “inner circle” does. My friend always rides with her medical arm band on, and I think that’s a great idea for anyone with allergies to certain medications or chronic medical problems.

Welcome to the board. If you are ever in Texas, you can come ride with us.

[jetsmom]

Wild Filly, Sure! You can email me if you’d like it to be private, or you can ask away (my email is BVande1671@cs.com.)

[Wild_Filly]

Thanks, I appreciate the info. This BB has so many nice people! It’s very nice of you to work with these great organizations and give your time. It takes very special people to do that.

I’m thirsty anyway, so bring on the rain…JoDee Messina

[GotSpots]

I think you should tell the people that you feel comfortable telling or that are directly responsible for your care. But I don’t think that the guy who has a horse four stalls down from you has any business knowing, or needs to know, unless, of course, you want to tell him. My barn has a medical file with emergency contact information that is available in the event of an emergency – maybe your trainer or the barn manager has something similar. Or, if you feel strongly about it, you can put the information on a medic-alert wristband or armband – available at Bitofbritain or Dover. But you don’t need to broadcast it to the world, unless you want to.

You go girl. Kick on.

[Dee]

I second what you said, RolexH! Well said, girl! And welcome to the BB, Wild Filly You’ll find the nicest, most sincere group of people here! I really needed to come here to have a hit of what really matters, and have my faith in humanity restored after watching Joe Millionaire!

I admire your courage and selflessness to think of others, Wild Filly, and I, too, thank you for sharing this with us. The only way to overcome fear and ignorance is education, and discussing this does so much good. I’m an RN, and I’ve seen so many people with HIV struggle with the question of who to share this with. But the good part is, you do find your true friends–the ones that say no matter what, I’m here. You are brave and strong; you bet we’d all go down the trail with you anytime! Sending you prayers and positive thoughts for your continued good health

[Robby_Johnson]

I like Elghund’s idea of the medical armband like eventers wear. You can get one at www.bitofbritain.com.
I think it’s hard to give advice on what to do. So much of that depends on the type of person you are.

I’m very much a “keep no secrets - put the cards on the table” kind of person, so I probably would just tell everyone.

Robby

“Don’t mince words, don’t be evasive
Speak your mind, be persuasive”
Madonna