bringing a horse back into work after a ddft injury?

[shady_lady]

Not strictly CR but thought you guys would have more experience of this kind of thing:

My thoroughbred has been on box rest after tearing his deep digital flexor tendon, he's now sound, however we can't scan him to see if the tear is completley healed as he tore it right down in his foot and the pedal bone blocks the scan.

What sort of program should I follow to bring him back into work? And anyone experienced this or got any tips? Bandages/ Boots / Nothing ?? and if he does come back okay best way to keep him sound?

ALL advice welcome! Sorry I'm a bit clueless, my first proper horse and never had to bring anything back into work before

Thanks in advance

 

[Cazzah]

Hi,

This was sent to me by my vets. We were able to accelerate this with regular scans though but it should give you an idea of the progression....

0-60 days: hand walking
60-90 days: 5 minute trotting
90-150 days: 10-15 minutes trotting
150-210 days: 20- 25 minute trotting
210- 240 days: canter 5 minutes
240- 270 days: canter 10 minutes
270- 300 days: low jumping
300- 330 days: normal jumping
330- 360 days: competition

Hope this helps

 

[kizzywiz]

Just doing the same thing with Kizzy, but slightly different to above. 8 weeks box rest with hand walking, up to 45 mins daily by week 6. Weeks 8-10 turn out in round pen, no additional exercise. Week 10 begin ridden walking, 15 mins 5 times weekly, increase until at week 16 1hour with 15 mins trot. Then normal turn out & gradually increase work & fitness, begin jumping around 24 weeks. So I guess each case is individual & dependent on the severity of the injury.

 

[kerilli]

if he has been on total box rest and is a really calm boy in his head, then start walking 5 to 10 mins per day either in hand or under saddle, whichever he is better at.
some horses can be very silly when starting slow work after box rest though, and if he is this sort, for his own sake and yours, i would make him a big pen on concrete (part of yard, ideally) and let him mooch about there all the time. it's ideal if he can get in and out of his stable too. a crew yard is perfect. this prevents the "shaken up bottle of pop" syndrome...
not wishing to scaremonger, but if he is silly, he will undo all your good work so far very quickly...