3 months off - bringing back into work - advice pls!

[itsmyparty]

The big ginger lad has been on box rest for 6 weeks and before that, 2 months off work just in the field. He was diagnosed with navicular syndrome but the prognosis is quite good (mild only at the mo) and he's had Tildren treatment and bar shoeing. On friday his box rest is over (we've been allowed to walk him in hand for the last 2 weeks).

So, is there anyone out there who can give advice or a programme to bring him back into work? All help gratefully received

 

[BSJAlove]

i shall be getting my (hopefully) new horsey fit too. i was planning on spending a week light hacking and a bit of lunging for a few mins then add the odd schooling session, increase intensity of hacks and lunging sessions etc.

i want her to be super fit in time for hunting season at the end of the year!!

 

[Ziggy_]

I have no personal experience of navicular but the usual way of bringing a horse back into work is to start with roadwork at a walk; idea being, that the gentle concussion helps to harden/strengthen their legs, the mostly straight lines mean less strain on the joints than you would have in a school, and the concrete means even the loopier ones generally accept that you will be going slowly.

Perhaps start with 30 mins walking, building up to 1 1/2 hours over a few weeks and wait at least three weeks before trotting - and then start your trotting off road, again to minimise concussion. That said, I have no experience of navicular and the best person to advise you would be your vet!!