bringing horses back into work..... advice needed please

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I'm going to view a 7yr old tb mare tomorow who has arthritis to one of her front fetlocks, she has been off work since march and just turned out. Is there are any special precautions which I would need to take or would I be able to bring her back like any other horse. Before being turned away she was sound and in regular ridden work and is currently sound now

Thanks in advance
 
I am about to do the same as you, my mare has been out of work since March too. She injured a tendon in the field, had 3 months in and has been turned out since early JUne. Shes now sound and vet has told me to bring her back into work. I wouldnt say shes totally unfit as being turned out keeps them fairly conditioned. I will just be riding her out in walk, probably for 15-20mins and then building it up slowly. She will hack out probably twice a week initially, depending on time and the weather, I also have another horse to exercise who is in full work. I wont ride her in the school atall, it will be just hacking. We will bring uphill trot work into the picture after a month or so, depending on how she does. We will certainly not be rushing a thing.
 
I am about to do the same as you, my mare has been out of work since March too. She injured a tendon in the field, had 3 months in and has been turned out since early JUne. Shes now sound and vet has told me to bring her back into work. I wouldnt say shes totally unfit as being turned out keeps them fairly conditioned. I will just be riding her out in walk, probably for 15-20mins and then building it up slowly. She will hack out probably twice a week initially, depending on time and the weather, I also have another horse to exercise who is in full work. I wont ride her in the school atall, it will be just hacking. We will bring uphill trot work into the picture after a month or so, depending on how she does. We will certainly not be rushing a thing.

If I was in that position - ditto! x
 
Are you going with a view to buying or loaning, arthritis will not get better it will gradually get worse, there are treatments that can slow down the deterioration and ease the pain but will not cure it.
So do think before you go any further she may appear sound at the moment but this could change when she starts to work again, even lightly, talk to your vet for a prognosis, it would help if he could see x-rays and have her vets history.
 
thankyou for the responses, im going with view to buy she sounds amazing but as previously said prognosis would be poor I will get in contact with vet re xrays etc thanks
 
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