Getting horse back to fitness after lameness

[Bertie10]

Hi
Just wondered if anyone had any tips please.
Sorry, bit long but...
My horse has been off work for 7 weeks as he pulled his shoulder muscle.After further investigation, he had his front feet x rayed (vet noticed he was walking on outside of his foot & not landing level)- his pedal bones had dropped slightly (counter rotated slightly) due to poor foot conformation. He has had corrective shoeing & is thankfully sound. The vet said the prognosis is fine & that although this wouldnt be a major issue now, unless I had addressed it with corrective shoeing, then it would have become an issue in the future.
I am now bringing him back into work slowly- the vet advised 10 minutes ridden work twice daily as he will need time to readjust to the new shoes/wedges & he has the farrier back in 2 1/2 weeks for a check up.
I mainly do RC with him & he is naturally a very fit horse. I am aware that I am treating like glass & am nervous about working him again. When he is fit I normally school twice a week, hack twice a week, lunge once a week & variable on the other day (lesson/fun ride/hack/etc), with one day off.
How am I best to build him back up slowly to his pre-injury fitness?
Any tips appreciated
Thanks
B

 

[Izzwizz]

My horse was out of work for over a year due to a tear in her DDFT. The vet advised me to do lots of walking in straight lines, building up from hand walking to ridden work after this (which lasted for 3 months). We started at doing 15 mins and then building up weekly by about 10 mins. I would suggest you do something similar and take it slowly. I personally wouldnt do any lunging as its quite stressful on the joints and I would refrain from schooling until your horse is ok in straight line work. Hill work is good for fitness and strength building and then take it from there. My horse has also had corrective shoeing, shes now in egg bars after double wedges and single wedges over a 2 month period. She will need to stay in egg bars for some time to come. Vet has been today and shes been allowed in the field for the first time in 14 months so I know how you feel about treating them like they will break.

Hope this helps and good luck.!

 

[Bertie10]

Hi Izzwizz
Thanks so much for the advice. Its actually a relief to know that I am not being too cautious. Building up by 10mins a week is a really good suggestion.
I will stay away from lunging as well.
Thanks so much for the reply
B x