How soon to start work after an abscess?

[CarolineJ]

Numpty question, I know, but this is the first time I've dealt with an abscess!

It blew at the heel on Thursday night, he's completely sound on it, but I'm not sure how long I should wait before taking him back into the school or on the beach, because I don't want to get sand into it. It's quite well protected by his feathers (hairy Welsh D!).

This is the exit hole this morning (he's not resting that toe, he's stretching down into the back corner of the hay rack, which has brought his heel up!):

 

[Queenbee]

If he has been sound since Thursday then I would crack on with riding now. With Ben, I rode out on the roads a couple of times first, starting with a 20 min hack with mostly in walk and assessed how he was the following day. He was fine so I then upped it to 40 mins hack. His hole was on his sole, we were in the school within a week of starting back riding and I was just very careful about cleaning the area with a brush and hose after any ride. If you are worried about sand getting in, perhaps a generous smear of vasaline over the area, that would create a barrier while schooling.

 

[CarolineJ]

Thanks

 

[xgemmax]

Yeah I would also crack on and just make sure it's hosed off well afterwards

 

[PorkChop]

As soon as he is sound