How soon to introduce exercise after colic?

[Butterbean]

My horse had colic on Friday night, vet gave him a shot of painkiller which settled him and he was much better on Saturday, thank goodness. Today he is perky and seems back to normal so we are reintroducing feed and roughage gradually, little and often. If he is ok in the morning he can be turned out again.

However not sure how long to leave it before reintroducing exercise - Brooklyn had kissing spines surgery in May so is supposed to have regular lunging exercise to build up his muscles. Of course I don't want to do anything that would stress him and cause more colicy problems. But at the same time want to strengthen him as much as possible - he is going back to hospital in 10 days for reassessment of his back.

Any similar experiences re recovery from colic welcome. I've never had experience of colic before!

 

[Marchtime]

Mine used to be quite prone to mild spasmodic colic (*touch wood* hasn't had it for a year or so now). It always required the vet as he is a wussy TB. I remember the first time I was petrified as I had never dealt with colic before. I tend to do some quiet gentle exercise three days after the colic providing he is bright and happy. If your horse wasn't too ill with it I'd suggest you'd be fine to do some gentle exercise. However, if it was more serious I might wait longer. Hope that is of some help.

 

[Butterbean]

Thank you, mine is another wussy horse - vet was surprised as he is a Welsh x so should be tough! but no he is definitely on the wussy side. I was petrified too.
He is bright and perky today and was dragging me around when I walked him out in hand so I was hoping to be able to do some long reining tomorrow and maybe back to gentle lunging after that.

 

[Persephone]

Mine had a mild dose last Tuesday, she was much better on the Wednesday morning so my vet told me to ride her gently that day to help keep things moving. I have since got her back into full work again.

Jo x

 

[luane1]

Mine had colic yesterday and the vet said to give him 24 hours off then bring him back into work again. He is a show jumper. It was scary as its the 1st time anything of mine had had colic.