Riding sick/injured horse... your views?

[redears]

This came up between someone and I and I wanted another point of view.

Said horse came down with hives, vet injects allergy meds and horse has neurologic reaction, "crashing into a wall" and almost going down. Owner says they are afraid of the horse dying. Vet pulls horse out of it.

2 days later owner has jumping lesson on said horse. Someone questions this saying they knew of another rider with something similar that gave the horse time off, owner of neurologic horse says that rider over-reacted by giving horse time off.

If it your horse, WWYD?

[BornToRide]

Time off - no questions asked. At least a week and then re-assess. This is unfair to do to the horse - period!

[ChocoMare]

Definitely at least a week off if not more. Geeez, let the guy recover for cryin' out loud. :(

[BornToRide]

To add - this person sounds like a typical user - use the horse as they see fit with little regard for their well being, unless the horse is dead lame. Those horses are typically retired early in life because they have been ridden into the ground by their users.

[ArtilleryHill]

Time off, definitely. Can't believe there was even another side to debate.

[findeight]

Hives and antihistimines or similar meds is NBD.

The reaction is A Really Big Deal and owner is brain dead. Did "trainer" not think it dangerous for both to teach over fences 2 days after total collapse and allergic reaction to the meds? Did owner/rider have any background dealing with this type thing to make the broad pronouncement it was an OK thing to do 48 hours after the episode?

[redears]

Thanks all, just wanted to know I was not crazy, as I seem to have lost a friendship for speaking up about this... but I believe in standing up for what's right, even when standing alone. :no:

Their justification, if everyone who ever took Tylenol PM took a day off, we'd never get anywhere. :(

[redears]

Hives and antihistimines or similar meds is NBD.

The reaction is ABD and owner is brain dead. Did "trainer" not think it dangerous for both to teach over fences 2 days after total collapse and allergic reaction to the meds?

Yes... but this brought up other things. Trainer was also talked to at horse venue last summer for having a lame horse in their group. Horse was then ridden 2 hours, I saw as much, but don't know all the facts on that horse, so I can't really comment. The trainer has a good reputation, but I don't know them personally.

[BornToRide]

You are absolutely not crazy and I know how you feel. Happened to me when I finally spoke up to a friend about her chronically laminitic horse because there's more she could be doing (he's not on a controlled enough diet or meds), but she simply does not believe it. I just could no longer stand by with good conscience and watch this horse suffer more. At least I tried.

Good friends will know you only meant to help, but you can only do so much :(

[luvmywalkers]

...
Their justification, if everyone who ever took Tylenol PM took a day off, we'd never get anywhere. :(

That is true...however, as the name suggests you take it at night, by morning it has wore off - hence no need to take a day off. And for the record, Tylenol PM does have a warning about causing drowsiness, no driving, no operating machinery - kinda like taking time off ;)

[ddashaq]

Their justification, if everyone who ever took Tylenol PM took a day off, we'd never get anywhere. :(

Well, yes, but if someone has a neurological reaction to the stuff I would be willing to bet that person would be out of action for a little while.

Sorry your friend is being a fool, but you did what you could.

[greysandbays]

That is true...however, as the name suggests you take it at night, by morning it has wore off - hence no need to take a day off. And for the record, Tylenol PM does have a warning about causing drowsiness, no driving, no operating machinery - kinda like taking time off ;)

How dramatic a situation is while it's happening isn't necessarily a good indicator of how long the sufferer's condition will be compromised. Neither is how afraid the owner was (at the time) that the horse was going to die.

Unless OP is leaving something out, the horse had TWO DAYS off. (That's longer than I had off when I got out of the hospital for CHF!)

But the question isn't "should the horse have had time off?", because that implies that the horse was practically pulled out of his stall in mid-reaction and put to work.

I'd say the question should be "how did the lesson go?". If the horse was sailing through with no distress, then clearly the two days off was probably enough. If he was standing on his nose and clutzing around on every jump, then obviously, he needed more time.

[spaghetti legs]

Nah I agree with G&B

[redears]

How dramatic a situation is while it's happening isn't necessarily a good indicator of how long the sufferer's condition will be compromised. Neither is how afraid the owner was (at the time) that the horse was going to die.

Unless OP is leaving something out, the horse had TWO DAYS off. (That's longer than I had off when I got out of the hospital for CHF!)

But the question isn't "should the horse have had time off?", because that implies that the horse was practically pulled out of his stall in mid-reaction and put to work.

I'd say the question should be "how did the lesson go?". If the horse was sailing through with no distress, then clearly the two days off was probably enough. If he was standing on his nose and clutzing around on every jump, then obviously, he needed more time.


This is true, I suppose. I was thinking along the lines of a horse who crashed into a wall would be sore, I know when I fall down on ice, etc, that I am sore longer than two days, but who knows.

[spaghetti legs]

if it's just muscle soreness moving around can help that. I doubt the trainer would have let her lesson on an obviously lame horse.

[deltawave]

I'd be inclined to be very cautious about working the horse again shortly after, but wouldn't necessarily say "it must have a week off" or anything dogmatic without knowing the entire picture. It would REALLY depend on what, precisely, the "reaction" was, how it was treated, how he recovered and how quickly, and whether or not the vet said it was OK.

[FlashGordon]

Personally I would have given the horse quite a bit more time off. Then again I tend to err on the side of caution, have no competitive ambitions or goals, and losing a week or two of training time is No Big Deal to me.

It is one thing if the owner had taken the horse out for a walk or very light hack, but a jumping lesson seems a bit extreme.

[sid]

BorntoRide: Typical "Users" -- have never heard that term used before. It says it all.

[chai]

It would seem like common sense to give the horse a few days off and start light work after a life threatening situation and a crash into a wall. Both of those things are an insult to the horse's system and it seems both cruel and ignorant to push the horse into intense work so quickly after that kind of trauma.

[dwblover]

What did the vet say? Was the vet consulted as to when to resume riding?

[mickeydoodle]

How do you know it was life threatening reaction? Did the horse just get overly sedated from the antihistamine? That would be the most likely "reaction". Your discription does not sound like an "allergic" reaction. A true allergic reaction to an antihistamine (or steroid) would be extrordinarily unlikely.

In which case it would wear off, and the horse could work. As above, like taking benadryl.

[BuddyRoo]

I get the gist of it in that the OP generally does not feel like the person in question has the horse's best interest at heart.

However...there's simply not enough info here to really say whether or not in THIS case it was appropriate or inappropriate to be working the horse.

What did the vet say?

I know some people who think it's mean to ride a horse directly after vaccinating--yet my veterinarian tells me to do this.

I know some people think it's mean to ride a horse that has some swelling along the leg after a scrape...but I know that some movement will help move the fluid.

So...I dunno. I'd be inclined to withhold judgment on this particular situation unless I knew the vet had advised X and owner went against that.

Generally speaking though...if a horse is sick, injured, lame, whatever...I don't think it's appropriate to push the horse beyond veterinary recommendations.

[sid]

If you've ever had hives and had to take benedryl (I have the dreaded, deadly peanut allergy), I may look fine after the episode, but my body has been assaulted and I'm not physically not normal for days. Even if the horse was overly medicated, it's still an assault on the body (been there too).

Why not err on the side of caution? What's the hurry?

[findeight]

I was responding to the fact the horse fell into the wall, was given something else by the vet to "pull it out" of whatever reaction was in progress and was in a jumping lesson, not just being ridden.

What I don't know is what the vet gave it, what the vet said about aftercare and what kind of jumps were involved. I sort of assume at least 2'6" with oxers when somebody says they are jumping in a lesson.

So I came down conservative.

There is the possibility the owner/rider has this information and not shared it with the OP or may be exaggerating the severity of the occurance.

But, as posted without assuming anything else? Stick with the SBJ that soon after something like this.

[Huntertwo]

How do you not know if her Vet gave the okay for the horse to resume working?

If my pony appeared fine and was acting as usual, I'd probably go ahead and ride.. IMO

[redears]

I'm not sure the vet didn't, this person did not say the vet did or did not. They said the horse looked fine to them 4 hours after the reaction, but did not mention the vet at all.

I think this person is a good horseman, upon them saying what they did I said I was glad they made it through okay, as a friend of mine who had the same thing happen gave the horse more time off, in which this person replied that my friend had over-reacted by giving the horse time off. I just wanted other viewpoints.

[merrygoround]

Rider needs to be severly slapped up the side of the head. A few bruises and dizzy spells would be useful. Then send them out jogging for 5 miles 2 days later. They would get the point. !!!!

[WorthTheWait95]

If the horse appeared to be recovered I probably wouldn't be adverse to putting them on a lunge two days later to assess soundness and then based on what I saw hop on for a light hack to feel it out. I would not schedule a lesson so soon after and definitely wouldn't jump, however. I also tend to be pretty conservative though.

[saultgirl]

This came up between someone and I and I wanted another point of view.

Said horse came down with hives, vet injects allergy meds and horse has neurologic reaction, "crashing into a wall" and almost going down. Owner says they are afraid of the horse dying. Vet pulls horse out of it.

2 days later owner has jumping lesson on said horse. Someone questions this saying they knew of another rider with something similar that gave the horse time off, owner of neurologic horse says that rider over-reacted by giving horse time off.

If it your horse, WWYD?

If the horse had two days off and no further problems, I don't see any reason why it shouldn't go back to work?

[BornToRide]

BorntoRide: Typical "Users" -- have never heard that term used before. It says it all. We use this term for the horse owner who tends to sell their 19 year old Dressage horse as a schoolmaster with maintenance issues, rather than giving him a loving retirement home, or the owner who automatically assumes a horse is being willful when it resists, or the owner who puts all the performance responsibility onto the horse but does little conditioning him/herself and is a rather unbalanced rider (gets in the horses way). In other words the owner who sees the horse more as a means to gain something for themselves.

[Equino]

All I know is if my healthy, sound horse just had two days off, I wouldn't be having a jumping lesson. I would take healthy, sound horse out and hack after two days off.

[BornToRide]

All of you who think that if the horse looked "OK" after 2 days off it was OK to work it need to understand that horses are prey animals. As prey animals , they are VERY good at hiding any weakness from predators.

Therefore I think it is totally justified to err on the side of caution and give this horse a few more days off rather than assuming he's fine. Just like another poster said too, you may be OK two days after you had a throw up party, but usually your body is till not quite right and fatigue is often still present. Not a good idea to push oneself too hard in this state. This horse may have felt similarly after the incident it experienced! At least give it the benefit of the doubt!

[deltawave]

Gosh, what's wrong with selling a horse as a schoolmaster? If it weren't for my old schoolmistress horse, I'd still be flopping around at Novice level. She has her retirement home now, but I bought her "aged" and with some minor maintenance issues--best thing I ever did with a horse. :yes: Sometimes horses that are sold actually go to GOOD homes. :)

[greysandbays]

All of you who think that if the horse looked "OK" after 2 days off it was OK to work it need to understand that horses are prey animals. As prey animals , they are VERY good at hiding any weakness from predators.

Therefore I think it is totally justified to err on the side of caution and give this horse a few more days off rather than assuming he's fine. Just like another poster said too, you may be OK two days after you had a throw up party, but usually your body is till not quite right and fatigue is often still present. Not a good idea to push oneself too hard in this state. This horse may have felt similarly after the incident it experienced! At least give it the benefit of the doubt!

Nonsense. Horses don't lie about their soundness any more than they lie about their lameness. They are what they are and deceiving predators isn't something they occupy themselves with, any more than deceiving their humans about being lame to get out of work.

Neither horses nor humans should be such sissies that they are exempt from having to work if any little thing is NQR.

[WorthTheWait95]

Sometimes horses that are sold actually go to GOOD homes. :)

:lol: You wouldn't know it from reading this board ;). Anyone that sells their horse is EVIL and all buyers are potential abusers (which I suppose is true of any human)!



I'm just kidding of course, I know the majority of those posts are done with only the best intentions but sometimes you just have to sell 'em on.

[BornToRide]

Nonsense. Horses don't lie about their soundness any more than they lie about their lameness. They are what they are and deceiving predators isn't something they occupy themselves with, any more than deceiving their humans about being lame to get out of work.

Neither horses nor humans should be such sissies that they are exempt from having to work if any little thing is NQR. Ah, the pull-yourself -up-by-the-bootstrap person.......... Absolutely NOT nonsense. Some horses are extremely stoic and hide health issues rather well. My friend had one of those - he choked and was scoped and was found to be riddled with ulcers. Owner and vet were thoroughly stunned! He never had shown any of the typical ulcer signs!

This horse may not have been obviously lame, but his body could still have been weak from the incident, which means he could potentially have gotten more easily hurt through fatigue, by taking a wrong step, could have attracted a few more ulcers because his system was stressed more and other possible health consequences.

If you like taking such chances, totally your choice. I may push myself harder because I will have to live with the consequences, but I certainly have no right doing this to someone else or an animal whose health may be compromised, even if it does not appear to be obvious.

[George Myers]

A true allergic reaction to an antihistamine (or steroid) would be extrordinarily unlikely.



Actually that is not true - a serious adverse reaction is possible with any drug and antihistamines are certainly no exception.

It is not unknown for antihistamines to kill humans - so there is every reason to suppose that a horse could also suffer a severe AR. If it had been my horse I'd have given it a week off and worked it lightly for a wee - and I'd probably not have bothered with antihistamines in the first place.

[George Myers]

or a week even. :)

[sid]

I agree w/ BTR and George on this one.

Horses, being a prey species, have a unique ability to not demonstrate they are compromised in some way until their illness/injury becomes very obvious (other than an "acute" event).

But it's not about necessarily being "stoic" -- it's a species thing that is hard-wired. That's why I would err on the side of caution for any event that exhibited possible systemic compromise, especially if the cause was not precisely known.

I ride my horses after vaccinations lightly, concentrating on flexion -- to keep the injection site from become stiff and sore. But I don't tax the horse. I ride after deworming -- but lightly for a day or two after. Again, I don't tax the horse. I ride a horse who has had a "bump" and lightly swollen limb that has been examined by the vet and shows no signs of lameness -- again, lightly, to help reduce swelling.

It's really just common sense, isn't it? Again, what's the hurry? I don't get that.

I've known many an elder statesman who has been sold as a schoolmaster. In the right hands and with the right management, both horse and human can enjoy themselves. But the key for the horse is having the right managemen, with the people who don't take advantage of their "knowledge" and apparent "stoicism" -- and defining the relationship as one where the horse can offer what it can without someone compromising its health and well being in its elder years.

[sid]

What the heck was THAT??

[deltawave]

I go to work when I'm sick or injured or feeling like crud . . . :)

Yes, I appreciate the distinction VERY well between a horse and a human. But maybe, just maybe, the horse was OK, you know?

Maybe, just maybe, the horse was doing perfectly fine, the owner had cleared it with the vet, and watched very carefully for signs of distress. Maybe the horse even benefitted a little bit from the exercise, and the jumping was over 6" crossrails. That information is not given, so it's as reasonable to speculate that way as it is to assume that the poor sick horsey was pulled reluctantly out of his stall and saddled up to go do Puissance schooling dragging both its hind legs. :)

Not really taking sides, just pointing out that the immediate tendency to assume the worst is easily as incorrect as the opposite.

[sid]

Weird. Right after my last post, there was a post for a horsepeople dating website. Now it's gone. How strange.

[findeight]

The horse is obviously OK and, for all we know, the owner exaggerated the incident and the vet cleared the horse to go back to work.

I just agree with whoever said they don't jump around in an hour lesson on a sound horse after 2 days off in winter. Of course, that may be 20 minutes over crossrails and not the 30 minutes of intensive flatwork followed by 20-30 fences most lessons consist of.

I read nothing else into this. I would have resumed work with it, not taken a jump lesson.

[equestrianism]

This came up between someone and I and I wanted another point of view.

Said horse came down with hives, vet injects allergy meds and horse has neurologic reaction, "crashing into a wall" and almost going down. Owner says they are afraid of the horse dying. Vet pulls horse out of it.

2 days later owner has jumping lesson on said horse. Someone questions this saying they knew of another rider with something similar that gave the horse time off, owner of neurologic horse says that rider over-reacted by giving horse time off.

If it your horse, WWYD?Time off for at least two weeks. Lot of things causing horses pain and trouble could be avoided if horse owners just had a little bit more patience and common sense!!

[BornToRide]

I go to work when I'm sick or injured or feeling like crud . . . :)I am really suprised that you, as a doctor, say this. Not only do you potentially delay your own healing you also risk infecting others and you are not setting a good example as a doctor.

Yes, perhaps the horse was OK, but since they cannot talk and let us know exactly how they feel and can be good at hiding symptoms, would it not be better to give them the benefit of the doubt, just to be sure?

The only time people usually get seriously hurt is when they ignore the more subtle symptoms like not wanting to go forward although the horse seems sound or horse is starting to buck in an attempt to let the human know that he's being asked to much of, either physically or mentally. Too quickly those symptoms are seen as "bad behavior" and the horse is pushed through and that's when the explosion occurs because the horse can no longer take it.


Lot of things causing horses pain and trouble could be avoided if horse owners just had a little bit more patience and common sense!!

So true!

[deltawave]

First, how do you know that when I go to work "feeling like crud" that I'm contagious? I might have a migraine, a broken bone, or a bladder infection. In fact, all of those are definite "go to work" ailments. I can't just not go in because I don't feel good. Obviously if I have something that someone else might catch, I avoid patient contact as much as humanly possible. But that doesn't mean I can't work! :lol: There's plenty to do without getting within droplet range of my patients. :) But will you write my patients a note next time I have an owie and tell them to just suck it up and I'll be with them in a few days? ;) ;)

[BornToRide]

First, how do you know that when I go to work "feeling like crud" that I'm contagious? I might have a migraine, a broken bone, or a bladder infection. In fact, all of those are definite "go to work" ailments. I can't just not go in because I don't feel good
Semantic - I simply listed risks a person engages in when going to work feeling sick......and not to mention how this affects productivity too ;).

[trubandloki]

Redears you sound just like someone who used to post here, hmmmm. Could it be your returned with a new name?


Anyway, back on topic, It sounds to me like the owner and the trainer might know the horse and what happened with a little more detail than you do. It is probably best you let them make the decisions regarding what is best for the animal and leave it at that. Two days off might be all this animal required and who knows what a jumping lesson includes. It could be small cross rails.

Darn it BTR, where were you telling me to stay home when I had bad cramps the other week? Gosh, silly me for going to work and doing my job thru all that pain and discomfort.

[redears]

Of course I "let" them do whatever they wanted, it's not up to me. I was more or less curious what other people had to say, not only because I spoke up about their horse, but because they spoke up about my friend's horse who had time off due to a similar reaction and how that rider (16 year old kid, upper level PCer and training level eventer) over-reacted by giving the horse a week off to recover from a neurological problem. I didn't mean to start a debate, I was just curious what other would have done.

[arabhorse2]

Your post didn't sound curious, it sounded accusatory.

You could have presented a "what if" scenario without throwing in all the purple prose and suppositions.

You also slanted your initial post with your own bias, which is that the owner is obviously an asshat, abusive person who doesn't care about her animal.

What you wanted was a blanket condemnation of the person, not an open discussion.

For whatever reason, you seem to have a vendetta against this horse's owner. You weren't there during the vet call I presume, so your information is coming second or even third hand.

You're also not privy to conversations between the owner and the vet, so you have no idea what actually transpired, other than what you want to believe.

Sorry, I refuse to be part of the "off with her head" crowd, especially based on your meager, obviously prejudiced information.

[trubandloki]

All neurological issues are not created equal.

And I am guessing they would have said nothing to you about your friend's horse if you had not tossed in their face your disapproval of what they were doing with their horse.

[mybelle]

I would always err on the side of caution when it comes to horses. I would always hope that owners are trying to do what's best for their horses.

[redears]

Your post didn't sound curious, it sounded accusatory.

You could have presented a "what if" scenario without throwing in all the purple prose and suppositions.

You also slanted your initial post with your own bias, which is that the owner is obviously an asshat, abusive person who doesn't care about her animal.

What you wanted was a blanket condemnation of the person, not an open discussion.

For whatever reason, you seem to have a vendetta against this horse's owner. You weren't there during the vet call I presume, so your information is coming second or even third hand.

You're also not privy to conversations between the owner and the vet, so you have no idea what actually transpired, other than what you want to believe.

Sorry, I refuse to be part of the "off with her head" crowd, especially based on your meager, obviously prejudiced information.

Umm my original post was a "what if" and there is no vendetta at all, said person is/was a friend. I care about horses first and foremost, and if that makes me evil, then I am evil. A spade is a spade, I suppose. I always speak up on behalf of the horse, because they cannot speak for themselves. I have lost friends over this, one because I spoke up about them jumping a 2 year old TB. Also, the reason I spoke up to this friend was mainly out of concern, they are a beginner rider with a green horse and a green+green+unable bodied horse= could potentially equal an accident. Like I said, this person is a friend.

I never called anybody an asshat, I said they were a good horseman training with a reputable trainer.

[trubandloki]

Like others have said, what is best for one horse is not always best for another.

You are entitled to do what you think is best for your horses (how are the sore back issues doing?) and others are allowed to make the decisions about what is best for their own horse. Sometimes people do not agree on this and it does not always mean one of them is wrong, evil, incorrect or any other word you would like to use.

I wonder if maybe the thought here was keeping the muscles moving and using the horse was better for recovery than standing around?
:yes:

Also, the reason I spoke up to this friend was mainly out of concern, they are a beginner rider with a green horse and a green+green+unable bodied horse= could potentially equal an accident. Like I said, this person is a friend.


Then it sounds like it is best that the person was riding in a lesson and not just out hacking, hu? Since they are green and the horse might have issues it is best to have a good trainer there to watch and make sure things are not falling apart. And since they are both so green I highly doubt a jumping lesson meant anything huge.

[redears]

Like others have said, what is best for one horse is not always best for another.

You are entitled to do what you think is best for your horses (how are the sore back issues doing?) and others are allowed to make the decisions about what is best for their own horse. Sometimes people do not agree on this and it does not always mean one of them is wrong, evil, incorrect or any other word you would like to use.

I wonder if maybe the thought here was keeping the muscles moving and using the horse was better for recovery than standing around?
:yes:



Then it sounds like it is best that the person was riding in a lesson and not just out hacking, hu? Since they are green and the horse might have issues it is best to have a good trainer there to watch and make sure things are not falling apart. And since they are both so green I highly doubt a jumping lesson meant anything huge.

Very true, I guess I didn't think of that. My jumping lessons consist of a lot of cantering with 2'6"-3'6"ish fences, which is a pretty intense workout for my horse. I did maybe jump to conclusions. And I do get defensive a little too easily when told someone over-reacted by giving a horse time off, that is very silly.

My horse's back is better, he dislocated his withers. He's had nearly 3 months off (vet said he needed no time off, and could inject him so he'd be more comfortable, but I opted for chiropractic/accupuncture/supplements and rest rather than injecting, since I was off myself). I've dropped a lot of weight and got him a new saddle... even though those things did not cause the problem, it was most likely a fall or he got cast... every little bit helps.

[arabhorse2]

Also, the reason I spoke up to this friend was mainly out of concern, they are a beginner rider with a green horse and a green+green+unable bodied horse= could potentially equal an accident. Like I said, this person is a friend.

If you're such a great friend, why are you asking a bunch of internet strangers about what this person should do with their horse?

Yes, you did slant your post to indicate that you don't approve, and you want others to agree with you. 'Cause you're sooo concerned for this person and her safety. Something you didn't mention initially, BTW. Only that you thought the horse shouldn't have been ridden "in his condition".

I'm very fond of my trainer and consider her a friend, but she and I don't see eye to eye on everything. Instead of whining about the things I don't like that she does, she and I agree to disagree on certain things, as long as it doesn't cause harm to people or animals. I certainly would never jeopardize our relationship by airing our dirty laundry in public, which is what you're doing.

If the horse and rider are green, there's no way they're jumping even at an intermediate level. Methinks you're embellishing what started out as a rather tame story for your own twisted reasoning, whatever that may be.

Stop acting like the injured party, and hope that your "friend" doesn't read COTH and find out what a backstabber you are.

[redears]

If you're such a great friend, why are you asking a bunch of internet strangers about what this person should do with their horse?

Yes, you did slant your post to indicate that you don't approve, and you want others to agree with you. 'Cause you're sooo concerned for this person and her safety. Something you didn't mention initially, BTW. Only that you thought the horse shouldn't have been ridden "in his condition".

I'm very fond of my trainer and consider her a friend, but she and I don't see eye to eye on everything. Instead of whining about the things I don't like that she does, she and I agree to disagree on certain things, as long as it doesn't cause harm to people or animals. I certainly would never jeopardize our relationship by airing our dirty laundry in public, which is what you're doing.

If the horse and rider are green, there's no way they're jumping even at an intermediate level. Methinks you're embellishing what started out as a rather tame story for your own twisted reasoning, whatever that may be.

Stop acting like the injured party, and hope that your "friend" doesn't read COTH and find out what a backstabber you are.

Thanks :)

[BornToRide]

Darn it BTR, where were you telling me to stay home when I had bad cramps the other week? Gosh, silly me for going to work and doing my job thru all that pain and discomfort.Sorry you had to - you should not have to. For me it was so bad at times that I was bleeding through.... yeah silly me indeed. I should have stayed home too but felt obliged to go to work because of how this is generally perceived by our society - as being a slacker when it absolutely should not be!


Your post didn't sound curious, it sounded accusatory.

Funny how differently people read this - the OPs original post did not sound accusatory to me at all. Plus she was genuinely concerned about the horse. As a friend, I would appreciate such concerns being shared with me by a "good" friend because I know they mean well. Why should her good intentions to be turned around on her as a bad thing???!

[deltawave]

It's not a matter "being a slacker" or a societal perception. Sometimes it's "having responsibilities that are too important to just let be". Obviously everyone's situation is different, but it's not like a person can just not do their job when there are responsibilities that have to be taken care of. Some things just can't be shelved for a couple of days. Some things can.

[BumbleBee]

This came up between someone and I and I wanted another point of view.

Said horse came down with hives, vet injects allergy meds and horse has neurologic reaction, "crashing into a wall" and almost going down. Owner says they are afraid of the horse dying. Vet pulls horse out of it.

2 days later owner has jumping lesson on said horse. Someone questions this saying they knew of another rider with something similar that gave the horse time off, owner of neurologic horse says that rider over-reacted by giving horse time off.

If it your horse, WWYD?
That is pretty heartless. I can't even imagine being that oblivious to the needs of my horse...I do have one boarder who would do the same thing though.

She is all sweet, and lovey dovey on the surface but then does crap like that, it makes me totally understand why her horse wont work well for her. She simply doesn't deserve it.:no:

[trubandloki]

It's not a matter "being a slacker" or a societal perception. Sometimes it's "having responsibilities that are too important to just let be". Obviously everyone's situation is different, but it's not like a person can just not do their job when there are responsibilities that have to be taken care of. Some things just can't be shelved for a couple of days. Some things can.

Yeah, that was my thought too!
Deadlines are deadlines. They do not move just because of some cramps (and bleeding through as BTR put it). I can not call the client and say 'sorry, not making your deadline because I had cramps (or sniffles or a sore toe or much of anything totally stupid).