Hello Cce.
I like the replies you have had so far. It is one thing to advise to be be cautious but it is quite another to be dogmatic about what you can or cannot do. All exercise has to be appraoched with caution, especially in the early phases of healing. However, This should not stop us experimenting with what is possible.
I use two hernia belts when I am doing anything strenous: one as a general abdominal support and the other to give extra support to my parastomal hernia - which they gifted me from the outset.
It's been a few years since my operation but I have gradually increased the sorts of things I am able to do and amongst those are digging the garden and I have just finished concreting a path and mixing the concrete by hand. There is not much I can think of that is more likely to cause a problem than these sorts of activities and I have had no problems. (Apart from an increase in pain from arthritis in my fingers!) If I had an equine companion, there is no way that I would give up caring for it on the say-so of someone else. I would do what I could and try to get help for those things that were temporarily beyond my capabilities. As for yoga: I have several quite elderly and frail clients who indulge in forms of yoga that are appropriate for them and they find it a great benefit. The exercise we indulge in should be within our capabilities and not put us under too much pressure. However, that does not mean we should give up our hobbies entirely.
Best wishes
Bill