Back to work after box rest - How long?

**Vanner**

**Vanner**

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Hi all,

My boy tweaked his knee in the field on Tuesday. He has had four days box rest -10 minutes walk out in hand last two days. He has been on bute; but been decreasing over the last two days and (fingers crossed) has stayed sound.

How long do you wait before going back into ridden work?

I thought hacking only, mainly on flat roads, a couple of days after finishing bute and a week before schooling - am I being soft?
 
I had a similar dilemma a few weeks ago. My mare fell in the field and banged her hind leg. She was very sore and swollen for about 4/5 days. The vet looked at her the day after she had done it and recommended box rest for 2 days then walking out in hand slowly. He gave me bute and antibiotics (she had a small cut) So she was rested for two days and then rather than walk her out in hand I put her in a small paddock, where I could watch her moving around. I did this twice a day for 3 days and then decided she could spend some time with her friends in the field for a couple of hours. She was fine with this and the swelling went down. I then gave her another 5 days off being ridden, but being turned out during the day. I had a friend watch her walk and trot up and she was fine. So in all she had nearly 2 weeks without being ridden - 1 week to get the swelling and bruising to go down and a week to rest. I started riding her and she was fine, just a little hacking nothing too much and then after another week or so some light schooling. She made a full recovery. Its a hard call and you will need to trust your judgement and knowledge of your horse. Is he sound, can you get someone else to watch him walk and trot? If he's lame you should feel it when you ride. Good Luck x
 
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