Bringing a horse back into work.

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My_Eeyore

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Up until last autumn we had our 17 yr old WB in work. My daughter was his main rider. He went out occassionally and competed at novice ,working at medium at home. He was not in heavy work, but enough to keep him interested ( probably 4-5 times a week on average)and he loved going to competitions. Back in the day before we owned him he had been competed up to advance medium.

Then he started to toe drag. The vet advised rest for 2 weeks with bute. He was fine and went back to light work but then started toe dragging again, he did this when being lead as well.

Then due to my daughters injury and my surgery he was left to be a field ornament. He has been sound all winter and now we want to bring him back to work assuming of course he is sound ridden as well.

We have no access to hacking other than a short mile long lane with a lot of traffic. We do have a 20x 40 school.

This horse can not be worked from the ground as he is dangerous so has to be ridden from the word go
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Sooo what do you think an appropriate plan would be. Given that we can't do miles of walking unless we keep going backwards and forwards on the same bit of lane and can't lunge is this even feasible. Many thanks for help.
 
I brought Kizzy back in to work over the winter following surgery, once I had completed the in hand walking, had to ride. Once it was dark I did all my walking in the school, very cold, very boring just round & round the edge, no circles. The vet said this was ok, had to do the best I could, so just stuck my ipod on, put on tons of layers & did it. Best check with the vet, as I doubt this would be suitable for all types of injury, but if ok with him, it can be done. Good luck!!
 
I brought my horse back into work after 6 months off and rode for 5 minutes at a time in walk. Over a 2 week period built up to 10 minutes (under vets advice) and gradually built it up from there, he was ridden 7 days a week. I was only allowed to go large in a 60 x 25 school. There are some great books on amazon about rehabilitation etc, but would probably double check with vet about whatever rehabilitation program you have in mind. Good luck.
 
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