bringing back into work - advice please?

[noblesteed]

Hi all,
Just wanted some advice on my plans to bring horse back into work please.
FIngers crossed and all being well, my horse will be shod on Tuesday after his bout of low-grade grass lami. He has been living out on restricted grazing for the past 6 weeks after 3 weeks box rest. Prior to his illness he had been ridden on and off by a girl who has been loaning him as I was pregnant- she has just been hacking out a few times a week, nothing strenuous. Horse hasn't been properly 'worked' since last summer when I was in early pregnancy. So he has been rather unfit anyway.
My plan has been to get on him once he has been shod and start walking out, 20 mins a day for a week then half an hour for a week. Then 45 mins for the next week. After that start introducing short trots, and a bit off hillwork. Canter in a straight line after. We have no school so all will be done on road or grass verges, or on the beach which I can hack to in a short time.
I also thought about lunging. However I know this isn't advised for tendon injury, but I wondered if it would be ok in my horses case after a couple of weeks? I am slightly concerned he may be a bit loopy about being ridden again!!!! I am very unfit due to having a baby and not having ridden for a while, and the girl is not very confident, so lunging may be the safer option!!!
Thanks in advance for your help, it is much appreciated.

 

[BeepaStar]

Hi there, I normally check with my vet with regards to bringing back into work programs, but in the past I've generally started with 10 minutes of walking in hand for a few days building up to 20 and 30 minutes (obv depending on injury / illness etc) then ridden 20 minutes in walk under saddle in week 1, followed by 30 minutes in walk week 2, week 3 40 minutes in walk, week 4 50 minutes in walk on quiet roads where possible to strenghten legs, week 5 50 minutes of walk with a few short bursts of trot and build up that way.

If you're worried about getting on you could try long linging in an area or enclosed field if you have access.

I hope it all goes well, best of luck

 

[paulineh]

you seem to have a good program worked out.

Lunging will be fine as it is not a ligament or tendon injury.

 

[noblesteed]

Yes I have brought a horse back into work after a tendon injury where you are working with newly repaired tissue being put under stress, but never something like lami. I just need to work out with my sharer who is doing what so someone can ride him every day, and get it all planned out so we are ready to go if we get the okay next week.
Thanks anyway.