Bit of a dilemma!

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Erehwemos

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Ellie has been out of work for three months, the majority of which has been box rest. I have just started riding her again, and over the past two weeks I have managed to get her out about five times, doing some roadwork but also a little off road hacking (due to the fact it is normally dark when I get to ride). She is by no means fit, but at least we are making a start!

My dilemma is that the hunt are meeting at our yard next weekend.
I would really, really like to go to the meet and maybe just go along for the first half hour - no more - but I'm worried that even this will be too much, too soon. My thoughts were that we could tag along for as long as they are going steady (YO, whose son is field master, says they will be heading off slowly at first) and then turn around and come home once they start to get into the swing of things, but would even this be too much of a risk for Ellie, bearing in mind she isnt at all fit and her legs are not hardened yet?

Please realise that I am NOT by any means saying I want to take an unfit horse hunting 'properly' - I am just talking about plodding along for half an hour until things get going, and then coming home. Do you think I would be silly to risk it, or would it be ok?
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Ellie has only hunted once in her life (with me, about six years ago!) and I would really like her to see hounds again, and with it being on our doorstep, it seems almost too good an opportunity to miss! I guess my other option is just to plait her up and go to the meet itself but not actually follow on at all, but that seems a bit silly....

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Thanks in advance
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For me and my horse it wouldn't be an option as he gets extremely worked up and would do more harm than good. If you can be sure that she will just plod then I can't see it being a problem. Also having turned back for home is she going to behave herself or whip herself into a frenzy?
You know your horse so I think only you can answer your question.
 
I think that sounds a really sensible idea
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As long as she won't get silly and do herself damage?
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Just take it very slow and when they get going come home
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A nice day out for both of you
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Why was she on box rest?
I'd be slightly concerned - if she got excited and IF the hunt did pick up the pace.
I agree - its a lovely oppotunity as the meet is at your yard. How about just going to the meet AFTER a short hack, then putting her away- would hate to think about injuring her in a silly way - the ground is very wet/muddy.
 
Ditto Teddyt
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I know the frustration hun, but unless your horse will stand as quiet as old mush and not get even a little bit excited, then I wouldn't risk it. You really don't want to go back to dealing with a re-injury/ box rest/etc.

Have a hug and a hot choccy.
 
What was the reason for boxrest? (I remember you posing abut boxrest before but cant for the life of me remember what was wrong with her).
If it was for lame ness or something related to that, then id save her for another day - especially if she is likely to react to the excitemnt of the hunt by dancing around. Did yu say she has only had 5 days exercise? If so thenI would say its a bit too soon. Its the way she would react to the excitemet (ie jumping about that could strain herself etc) that would be my reasoning rather than worrying about fitness etc. However, you know your horse, so if shes not that type and doesnt hot-up or get on her toes then Id bring her along for a bit then head home before they start cantering cross country. I personally dont see much point in going to a hunt for 1/2hr but each to their own, thats just my personal feelings.
 
T said they would be heading off slowly! I don't think S has ever done anything slowly.
Have a good chat with S to find out where they are going first, normally they head out on to the road at a good trot but I don't know which way they will be going on Sat.
You can always take Ellie to the meet and go from there.
I'm going to see if we can come to the meet on foot, not sure how busy we are going to be.
 
She's a really good girl about coming away from other horses, always has been
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There have been times when I've met up with others and had to turn back, and also times when people I've been with have wanted to go off at a gallop on ground I'm not happy with, and I've never had any trouble with keeping her back so I'm pretty sure she'd be fine! Added to that is the fact that there is another person at the yard who wants to do the same - so Ellie and I would probably have company when we did decide to come home.

She was on box rest initially after being kicked in the field - there was a huge amount of bruising to one of her hind tendons. After that, she somehow managed to tear a foreleg open whilst out in the field (this was after we had moved so she could be turned out individually!) and we needed to keep her in as the leg was stapled and needed to be kept very clean. Unfortunately it then got infected anyway and needed re-opening, which meant the whole process was far more long and drawn out than we had hoped it would be
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I wouldnt be looking to take her on boggy ground anyway, so if they did head off across muddy fields (YO seemed to think they'd be going off on roads and tracks to start with) then I would turn back anyway
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Thank you for the replies everyone! Food for thought - I am still pondering!
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Hmmmmm.

It's so interesting - everything that people have said here echoes what I've been going over and over in my mind! I've always been so careful with her, I'd hate to do something stupid now for the sake of an 'unmissable opportunity'. I think I will give it a miss and follow on foot for a bit, this time
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Irishcobs - I will ask S, just to see. T seemed to think they would be going along the ridge at first, but obviously you cant really tell for sure until the day!

Mini_and_Lottie - the 'just 5mins longer' thing wouldnt come into it as I love my horse too much! If we did go, I would certainly stick to my guns. But yes, the fact I've only just started riding her again makes me very, very cautious. I think it'll be a no go.
 
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You would be mad to risk it imo

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This... sorry
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Don't be sorry! I agree with you; I'm glad I have asked because pretty much everyone has said what I am thinking, deep down.
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i think the hunt going slowly and others going slowly is 2 different things! Sorry i think (my thought) that this is a really really bad idea! wheres your 6 week walking on roads to harden legs gone? then the fittening work etc. You might find a little party will end up in box rest again. Its up to you at the end of the day but even a seasoned hunter would perk up dramatically and once the adrenaline kicks in nothing will hurt til the next day!
 
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