Bringing back to work regime ideas

UKa

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Hello!

At the end of this week I will start bringing my girl back into work. She has had about 8 weeks off with a very sore back and lame leg. Detailed investigations including scans have not brought up a thing and vets recommended to give her 6 weeks off then start bringing into work (no rider for initial 2-3 weeks) - and see if she is better...

I want to assume she is going to be ok if I introduce things slowly and continue to be careful with her, so I am not expecting her to have a knackering work schedule when back in shape, just light work including schooling and hacking mainly.

Now, she has been off work for the past 8 weeks, been in hospital at the start for 10 days on box rest then turned out and for the last 6 weeks been living out 24/7.
How would you start working her? Vet recommended lungeing with a pessoa during the initial 2 weeks. BUt, although I have one and like it, I think I don't want to use it at the start but later on when she is more used to working again as it can be a bit rigid. So I thought of getting out my two lunge lines and do some long lining first. But how much should i be asking, 10mins, 20mins, 30mins each time, and what pace? I am thinking of doing up to 5 days of some work with her and give 2 days off. How much shall I ask in terms of "working correctly" - surely not very much at first? I really want to get this right. Any ideas for a varied programme that gradually builds her up?

Thanks!
 
If she's been living out she will have been using her muscles walking around, so you don't have to worry TOO much about a short start off - 15 mins of walking on the long reins building up to half hour for couple of weeks, nothing too strenuous. Introduce short trots after couple of weeks, building up work and pace very slowly - playing it by ear and seeing what vet thinks.. fingers crossed.x
 
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