Off work for how long after cut/bruise to fetlock?

[BeckyD]

My silly horse fell over on the lane out to the fields on Friday last week, banged himself and cut himself. The cut on rear fetlock has taken a few days to dry out/start to heal, but the fetlock is still puffing up a bit. Should I leave him off work until the puffiness has gone down? It's worse when he's been in the stable (obviously). I'm having a mental block

 

[AmyMay]

Sound?????

Heat????

 

[BeckyD]

Sound in walk/trot, very slightly warmer than the ok side.

 

[Thistle]

If he is sound in walk and trot I would start to work him quietly in those paces. Obviously stop if this causes discomfort.

The work will help to dispers the swelling. Take it easy to start with.

 

[BeckyD]

Ok thanks, I was only just starting fittening work with him when he did it, so I'll be in walk for a while. It doesn't seem to be hurting him as I was poking it very hard last night and apart from being puffy it didn't seem to be sore. I'll start riding him tomorrow or Saturday, unless he's obviously sore.

 

[nelliefinellie]

If sound but still heat I would just walk until this has settled down

 

[Flicker]

You could put something on like Stay Sound to see if you can reduce the heat??

 

[BeckyD]

Thanks, I did think of that but it never really got very warm, I do have a cold compress but it didn't really seem to warrant it. Last night it took me ages to identify whether the bad side was warmer than the good, which in the end I tentatively decided that it was. But, he'd had to stay in all day yesterday. Am hoping that after lots of walking around today in the paddock, he'll be better this evening. I don't want to work him and make it worse, but also want to start getting him fit! I'll see how it is tonight...

 

[Thistle]

Don't use stay sound if she has a cut.

 

[BeckyD]

What is stay sound?

 

[Thistle]

Clay