Need some encouragement

[Kirstd33]

Please can all you steadfast and persevering lot please send me some encouragement or even better stories of hope. Coblet is 3.5 weeks post his annular ligament desmotomy and we’re now at the 2 hrs/day small paddock turnout and 5 mins x 2 daily walking stage. He’s still lame on his near hind which was the worse of the 2 hinds operated now but the vet is telling me to carry on the rehab plan??? I’m shattered from the 5.30 am starts as I have to do his stable and all his jobs every morning by 6.45 and I’m now getting grumpy and jealous of all the other liveries off on fun rides and hacking. Of course I’ll see it through to the letter to give coblet the best chance of a recovery but feeling very despondent that he’ll ever come right.

 

[little_critter]

I feel for you, it’s hard.
Does your vet have any alternative rehab plans that would work better for you?
I think they often give out the Gold Standard rehab plan, but if you come back with “I just can’t do that” then they often have a plan B that could work too.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Hang on in there…a lovely young friend of mine endured what you are going through last year. Mare on box rest for months..then slow slow slow intro to field and walking out etc etc . There were times my friend was overwhelmed with the “unfairness” of it all. But her care and patience has paid off and she is out riding and competing (dressage) and all is well once more.

 

[Kirstd33]

Thanks both, that’s exactly what I feel, overwhelmed and unbelievably tired. I have 3 school age kiddies and work FT so that’s why I have to sneak out early to do coblet as he’s on DIY livery and the others don’t get there till about 9.30. How long did it take for your friends mare to come sound and be fit again?

 

[nutjob]

You've got quite a long way to go still and a lot on in addition to the horse. Can you get a freelancer to do some of the mornings for you? Would it fit with your schedule to go down later, walk him and turn him out then get outside help to do the stable and bring him in. If he's calm and quiet on turnout I would consider leaving him out longer if the ground is OK outside.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Kirstd33 as best I remember it..damage sustained in March last year, took 2 weeks for X-ray diagnosis..box rest from mid April to August then in hand walks and small time in field from September. Ridden walks and trotting through Autumn building up to arena work by Christmas. Canter work in arena in Jan/Feb and first competition 3 weeks ago. Bearing in mind the horrible weather over the winter which made regular work difficult I think the team is doing brilliantly.

 

[Kirstd33]

Kirstd33 as best I remember it..damage sustained in March last year, took 2 weeks for X-ray diagnosis..box rest from mid April to August then in hand walks and small time in field from September. Ridden walks and trotting through Autumn building up to arena work by Christmas. Canter work in arena in Jan/Feb and first competition 3 weeks ago. Bearing in mind the horrible weather over the winter which made regular work difficult I think the team is doing brilliantly.

Oh crikey so about 14 months in total? Did your friends mate have the surgery or was that just conservatively treated do you know? I need to get back on touch with the vets when they open tomorrow as I still don’t have the detailed rehab plan they promised but I appreciate I have a long way to go. The only saving grace is the time of year as it’s light when I get there at 6am and light still at the other end of the day also. Can’t imagine doing this in December

 

[dreamcometrue]

Stick with it OP because it will be worth it in the end. Mine had a very poor prognosis with a different condition to yours but after 2 years of rest and very slow and steady rehab she is completely recovered. I would not have thought it possible and neither did my vet!

I did get someone’s spare horse to ride for a few months and that helped to keep me sane so take up any offers you get.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

No surgery…and to be fair the bad winter probably slowed things down but I totally admire my friends work ethic and commitment..at yard 3x a day ..in hand walking 5 mins then 10 etc. But it worked thankfully.