Bringing back to work after 3 weeks off

[Nicki85]

As above really! The mare i ride has been on box rest for three weeks, she is now sound and reshod and is ready to start work tomorrow.

I have not had much experience of lame horses and none at all of bringing them back in to work....

So saying all is sound what work would you do? She was fit before doing 2hrs schooling/ jumping a day.

I get to get on tomorrow and i am very excited! But do not want to push her and for her to go lame/ or tire her out....

 

[UKa]

After prolonged box rest I start with walking in hand for a few mins a day and build up gradually - sorry, personally I would wait with the riding until she has been out in-hand for a while...especially if lameness caused box rest. Once she has done a good longer time, do some work in walk (ridden) - perhaps a nice hack out but again, build up gradually to other paces... walk is the best fittening-up pace I think.

 

[millitiger]

i don't think 3 weeks is that long for box rest- is she out in the field now?

i would go hacking if she was that fit before- not long or fast hacks but 20/30 minutes at walk should be fine for a week or so and then gradually increase time and speed for another 2 or 3 weeks before starting any school work.

 

[Tnavas]

Agree with millitiger