Bringing a horse back into work - Advice needed please.

[Halfpass]

Alee has been diagnosed with counter rotated pedal bones and last week had her remedial shoes put on.

I was advised by the vet to start straight away with hacking her out in walk starting off with 5 mins and slowly building it up to half an hour over a period of 3 weeks and if all goes well be in full work after the 2nd set of shoes.

Bearing in mind she is only 4 and has had very limited hacking experience so far, I got on her on monday and she felt ready to explode and quite uncomfy.
I managed about 2 mins in walk before I got off as she really wasn't happy.

I spoke to the vet who has advised a weeks worth of long reining then start the hacking next week on ACP if necessary.

Unfortunalty Alee lost a shoe on tuesday (yes one her very expensive remedial shoes!!!) so that put pay to doing any work with her this week.

The farrier came today and refitted it but seemed quite suprised that I had been told to work her already. She is very sore over her bum and back so I have a physio coming on Monday to give her the once over and make sure she is comfy.

Now my question is am I better bringing her back into work slower than the vets are advising?

I am under the impression that the vets seem to think that I am itching to get her going and although I am, I am also quite prepared to take it very slowly. She is a big girl at 16.3 with obviously alot more growing to do. My farrier has suggested to take the whole winter hacking her out in just walk with a bit of trotting after the new year. Does this sound reasonable? I really want to do what is best for her and make sure her new structure is working before I start do any more demanding work.

Thoughts about this will be very much appreciated

 

[Nailed]

do you have a school?
substitue the hacking for school walking.

The vets sometime get it wrong, i had a vet tell the owner of a horse which i was bringing back into work after a fractured stifle, to start cantering the horse, the horse wasnt ready and ended up with a dislodge peice of bone.

Take it at the speed which you feel comfortable with.

If you think the vet wants too much, slow it down.

Lou x

 

[Halfpass]

Yes we do have a school but on speaking to the farrier he felt hacking in walk and hill work will do her the world of good.
I am more inclined to take it slower as she is so young. I just don't want to get it wrong. I'm going to ask my physio's advice on Monday aswell.
Thanks for your input

 

[shirley123]

personally i would'nt rush you have all the time in the world, shes only young and a big horse. big horses tend to mature later anyway. the walking on the road will hardden her legs and the hillwork will build her muscles. go easy on the road in trot as shes young - dont want any splints to develop. a bit of school work would be ok but generally if there's been issues in the hoofs they need even, firm surfaces - although i know nothing about counter rotated pedal bones so it may be different. the school would perhaps be a good option on windy/spooky days for saftey reasons. i think the gentle hacking would be good, gives you time to build a bond with your horse and good experiance for your horse to hack in company and go it alone. good luck x

 

[hellybelly6]

My horse has a different problem, but he had remedial farriery and I was advised not to ride him for at least 2 shoeings to give the shoes/trimming chance to alter his gait/soft tissues.

I would be inclined to take things slowly esp as she is so young. It might be an idea to discuss your feelings with your vet.