Bringing a horse back into work after lameness

[Stroppy Mare]

Said horse has had an 'unknown' lameness with nothing showing up on X-rays (yet vet still insistent it's in the foot!) and been lame for approx 6 months now. Treated conservatively with 2 x bute a day (HW horse - approx 750/800kg) at rest in the field. About 3 weeks ago, went against vets advice and reduced down to 1 x bute a day. Told vet what we'd done, he said if sound on 1, may aswell cut it out altogether. So past 2 weeks has been off bute just kicking around in the field.

Been sound about a week now.

Should I reintroduce work yet, if yes, how?
I don't want to walk out in hand - too much horse in my hands if spooks, would rather be sat on top.

Lunges/free schools well, although have to remove jumps out the school first as adores jumping and will school over fences with no human input!!!

 

[Optimist]

If you don't know what it is, then you will have to start work sooner or later and now might be as good a time as any.

I would suggest the good old fashioned way - 4-6 weeks of walking out (under saddle) starting with approx 20 mins and gradually increasing to 1 to 1.5 hours. Try to keep on the level (road is ideal, assuming you don't live on a motorway!) Then introduce trot work, slowly and again building up. Try to trot on good going (even grass etc). Once you have been trotting for a couple of weeks introduce a little gentle work in the school. The idea being to not strain anything.

I believe the longer you take at the beginning, the more likely you are to have a sound horse three months down the line.

Good luck! Keep us posted.