Bringing a horse back into work after virus induced lammi

[Shadow the Reindeer]

It's been 9 days since Shadow took ill, today it looked as though we're turning that corner, and I can start to think of what happens once he's allowed to start having some turn out again.
Until this point, I haven't really dared to think about it, not wanting to tempt fate. But, I have to have a plan of action of getting him back into work, i'm thinking a min of 8 weeks in the school, then a gradual re-introduction to road work?
I'm not planning on more than ten mins for the first few days, then gradually increasing it over the course of a month. I'm thinking of every day, well, 6 days a week, little but often. Does that sound too much? I'll obviously start in walk, and see how he goes from there, i'm worried about him having issues if I push him too soon (Unsure face)

 

[wipeout]

I was in your situation last autumn, I started off with lots of walking round the school, then walking on roads and tracks and gradually built it up from there.
The management of his diet and general care is more of a worry for me because the vets couldn't really tell me what would be the very best way forward with routine, turnout, feeding regime etc. and they couldn't say if he would have repeat episodes.
6 or so months on I am back to riding him just as I always did. He is turned out during the day and is in with 1/3 of a small bale of hay overnight.
I have completely changed the way I feed now but that is all that has changed..... Apart from my paranoia about sugars etc.
I think while I was bringing him back into work it was pretty obvious to me what he would be comfortable with, I just followed my instinct. Nobody knows your horse as well as you do.
Good luck OP

 

[PeterNatt]

I would have a chat with your vet as Laminitis can cause rotation of the pedal bone and it is important that x rays are taken to determine if this has happened before you do anything else..

 

[Shadow the Reindeer]

I do enjoy the schooling side, we've been working towards doing some dressage before this happened, so hopefully I can start doing some basics with him again. I intend on getting him to some shows in the summer fingers crossed. Thankfully he seems to enjoy schooling too, i've been having lesson from a really good instructor, and Shadow likes the way I'm being taught, he keeps nudging the instructor

 

[Shadow the Reindeer]

I would have a chat with your vet as Laminitis can cause rotation of the pedal bone and it is important that x rays are taken to determine if this has happened before you do anything else..

I'm in regular contact with the vet. He thinks the virus had caused the laminae to be inflamed due to his body fighting a pretty nasty virus. He had pretty swift treatment, no messing, and is sound at this current stage. He is under strict vet instruction.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

IME when a horse has been seriously ill it needs quite a few weeks convalesence time before you can start to bring back into work, which of course means that the process will take even longer.

 

[Shadow the Reindeer]

IME when a horse has been seriously ill it needs quite a few weeks convalesence time before you can start to bring back into work, which of course means that the process will take even longer.

Like I said, he's under vet instruction, I'm taking each day as it comes, also giving the vet daily reports, videos etc. I'm not the type to push him beyond his limits at the best of times. Hence why we're still not showing (long story).
I'm only taking a guess at where to go next, i've got to get him to the weekend yet, hopefully without a relapse. I've got to look ahead beyond his illness though, it's what's keeping me positive.