Advice needed for post care of hock arthrodesis

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nikkinoo

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Hi. My horse has had surgery for hock fusion. He is 6 years old and vets gave me a very positive outcome for the future. But i feel in a bit of no mans land at the mo.Vets said 8 weeks box rest with walking in hand which we stuck to. He had an extra week box rest due to waiting to get appointment for x-ray to ensure all was going well. Thankfully everything was good and we had the go ahead to turn out and basically close my eyes while he went mad in the field.
I couldnt believe how good he was, didnt gallop around as much as i thought he would but saying that he is quite chilled and happy to be in.
Vets told me that he could be ridden after a week of him being turned out, but i decided to let him have some down time and allow his body to naturally strengthen up in field with another sensible horse to keep him company. He has now had almost 6 weeks field rest.
I have been asking vets for a plan for rehab but have not got anywhere with them giving me any more info other than ride him through it
I trotted him up yesterday and he is still very lame in trot. Sound in walk. So i will start riding him at walk for 5- 10 mins for him to build muscles and get used to having a rider on his back. I Have also contacted a physio to see if they can come and give me some exercises and a plan but the wait list is weeks. I'm happy to give him more time off but im wondering if by not working him it is slowing the recovery.
Just wanted to know if anyone else has had experience of this procedure and what the recovery time is?
And did you have a rehab plan given to you?
 
Surely if he is still very lame in trot then you shouldn't be riding him at all not even in walk. I would be booking the vet to come back and look at him again.
 
Hello my horse had this surgery about 13 weeks ago and on Tuesday he trotted up sound! I think my thread about this is on this page if you fancy a read through our experience. I would say that my vet and surgeons approach to turnout and work following surgery seems to have been more gradual than yours has been. Mine is still in restricted turnout and mostly walking in straight lines with just 3 lots of trot for 5 mins but I appreciate that different vets may have different approaches. Good luck with the recovery... Will have fingers crossed for you.
 
Thanks for the link.
I didn't get back on him. I didnt feel this was right.
I contacted physio, she has been out and assessed. His muscles along back and hind had shut down so we need to get them working again. She has Given me exercises to do and after one session he was moving better.
I have continued with her advice of long reining and the exercises. He is completely sound in walk now. So hopefully we will have even more improvement by the next visit.
Thank you you have given me a shred of hope. X
 
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