Bringing my horse back in to work!

[Katie P]

Hi all

I'm just after any tips you may have about bringing my retired racehorse back in to work after 9 weeks box rest
He surrered a fracture to the Tibial Crest on the n/s/h and has had to be box rested for 9 weeks. He's coped really well considering he usually lives out 24-7!
He is currently going out for a few hours a day in a very small paddock on his own. My vet has said to start walk work for 10 mins per day building up the time and aiming to introduce trot in about 6 weeks.

I've done a tantative lunge session and a walk out in hand so far.

Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated.

I look forward to hearing any ideas, and thanks in advance

 

[ImogenBurrows]

Hi,

I tend to advise that the increasing exercise regime is changed weekly providing things are progressing well....
Start on 5 mins walk out in hand twice daily for a week - this should be active walking not letting him graze during the 5 mins!!!
Then 10 mins; twice daily for a week;
15 mins twice daily for a week
20 mins twice daily for a week.
By the time you get to this stage I generally get people doing this under saddle as it's boring!!!!
Once you're at this level then introduce a couple of minutes of trot into the regime and continue to build this up....

Good luck!
Imogen

 

[Katie P]

Hi Imogen

Thanks for that, I'll keep you posted!
That sounds just about what I'd got planned. Maybe I have learnt something over all my years of horse care

Fingers crossed it goes well, I might even be riding properly by the time the winter weather arrives.

Katie P

 

[Ludi-doodi]

I think Imogen's reply is good advice. However, I would avoid doing any lunging until the horse is fully fit and able to trot etc. Lunging puts quite a pressure on the joints and personally would hesitate to lunge until back to full fitness and doing pretty much everything the same before the injury. Not point rushing things at this stage.

Good luck