Bringing an old girl back to work after injury

Wagtail

Wagtail

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She has had almost 3 years off due to a shoulder (biceps brachii) tendon injury that the vets said she would probably not even recover enough from to be field sound. But with my vets blessing I am bringing her back into work after she has been field sound with no relapses for at least 18 months. We are on week seven. I did walk only for 5 weeks slowly building in some lateral work at walk. She coped really well and we have been doing short periods of trot for two weeks. She is straight and supple and through. I was thinking two more months slowly building up longer periods of trot before introducing canter. How does this sound? She is 18, so no spring chicken but feels better to ride than some of the much younger horses here.
 
That sounds sensible to me, and 18 isn't old! As long as you take your time she will be fine.

My now 31yo, damaged the ligament that goes over the point of hock when she was 21 and had 12 weeks box rest, she came back into work fine (ok she was quite stiff at first), but we did is slowly and she was fine, and enjoyed the work.
 
Thanks. Sometimes I feel mean bringing her back into work after she has been retired. I never thought I would ride her again. But she seems much brighter since I restarted her. Her breathing which was heavy and laboured has really improved too. The vet said that exercise is good for cushings horses and it will help me keep her trim. Glad your girl did so well. 31 is quite an age, I will be thrilled to bits if my girl is still going at that age.
 
Hi Wagtail
My boy was retired from age 14 to 17, its long saga but he has had serious pedal bone and hoof problems... Anyway, he came sound and I was able to bring him back into ridden work. He is now 20 still sound ridden and happy. It sounds like you are doing everything right. Just take your time with your horse, there is no rush, just enjoy her and don't pressure yourself that in x amount of time we need to do this and then in x time we need to do this.... Chances are she will let you know how she is feeling ! xx:p I knew that J had got pretty fit, it may sound strange but a winter of walking only and a mix of flat and hills and one spring morning I found myself with bounce bounce bouce let's go mum! I said okay let's trot then and next thing I knew we were thundering down the bridle path at full gallop... Me thinking argghhhh the ground! Watch yer feet! And omg what are you doing! And stooooooop!! He was fine and sound and very pleased with himself afterwards....Good luck and I hope things continue so well for you
 
Nitro mouse said:
Hi Wagtail
My boy was retired from age 14 to 17, its long saga but he has had serious pedal bone and hoof problems... Anyway, he came sound and I was able to bring him back into ridden work. He is now 20 still sound ridden and happy. It sounds like you are doing everything right. Just take your time with your horse, there is no rush, just enjoy her and don't pressure yourself that in x amount of time we need to do this and then in x time we need to do this.... Chances are she will let you know how she is feeling ! xx:p I knew that J had got pretty fit, it may sound strange but a winter of walking only and a mix of flat and hills and one spring morning I found myself with bounce bounce bouce let's go mum! I said okay let's trot then and next thing I knew we were thundering down the bridle path at full gallop... Me thinking argghhhh the ground! Watch yer feet! And omg what are you doing! And stooooooop!! He was fine and sound and very pleased with himself afterwards....Good luck and I hope things continue so well for you
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Haha! Sounds like he was having a wail of a time. I hadn't even entertained the idea of ever riding my girl again until I watched her galloping up the field one day and realised she had more of a turn of speed than any of the others. I thought 'she's bound to be lame after that!' But she wasn't in the slightest.
 
Wagtail said:
Thanks. Sometimes I feel mean bringing her back into work after she has been retired. I never thought I would ride her again. But she seems much brighter since I restarted her. Her breathing which was heavy and laboured has really improved too. The vet said that exercise is good for cushings horses and it will help me keep her trim. Glad your girl did so well. 31 is quite an age, I will be thrilled to bits if my girl is still going at that age.
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Thanks - I think they enjoy the work / attention. I do sometimes have a little potter for 10 mins when she's looking well :)
 
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