Bringing back into work after laminitis

[tubby1]

My daughters pony I now back in work after a few weeks off. He is a previously fit healthy 16 yr old. He had a fall in the trailer & then suffered laminitis , we are also awaiting results from a cushings test. I'm looking for some guidance on bringing him back to work. Daughter has been walking him for 20 mins over the past week . But he is desparate to trot. I was thinking walking for a couple of weeks walking then 2 weeks introducing trot, then 2 weeks canter. He s not to be hacked as we have only road hacking. Do I just let them trot as he is willing or just continue as above. ? I am open to suggestions as have never dealt with laminitis before.

 

[fattylumpkin]

Hi Tubby, the following two websites provide a lot of good info -

http://www.laminitis.org/
http://www.thelaminitissite.org/laminitis.html

What does your vet say? You haven't mentioned how severe his laminitis was or what the probable cause might've been. There's 101 answers on how to bring a laminitic into work.

 

[windand rain]

I would only let him walk on a very soft surface for at least two weeks but then again unless he had had 30 box rest after being totally sound and drug free I wouldnt be riding him at all. then I would be bringing him back slowly so a couple of weeks walking on the surface then a couple of weeks walking on the roads and progressing to trot on a surface before trot on the road. Concussion is just as likely to cause laminitis as feeding problems and if that was the casue in this instance I would be very careful to avoid any hard concussive surfaces for a while

 

[BlackVelvet]

I would just take it steady personally, whats the rush? Your better to take it slow then push it too quickly and do more harm than good. I walked in hand at first but he was a nightmare to handle (big beastly ID) so in the end i got on him in the sand school for 10 mins a day and built it up from there. He was always as good as gold under the saddle so it was safer than leading him around with him leaping on my head!

 

[EllenJay]

If you know your pony well, then let him guide you on what he wants to do. Depending on the lasting damage to his feet he can do anything you ask him, as long as you don't force him. My boy has a 45o rotation and can happily hack for hours - he did a 14 mile sponsored ride last year, but if the going is hard and unlevel he struggles so we take it easy. Listen to your horse, and if he says "NO" then take note.