Ok how should we be progressing?

[showjump]

As some of you might recall my horse managed to put a huge hole in his check ligament around dec/ jan time.

He went to the vets a month ago for scan and we were told we could start canter. Vet advised that if leg went puffy for longer than two days to come back and he'd have to have shock wave on the leg. All ok, i fully expected it to puff up and id be back off to the vets.

BUT.. the leg swelled once for one day then hasnt changed since. (Hard and cool) So where should we be up to with the cantering, for how long, and when could we progress to poles ect??

I am currently doing 20-30mins schooling or a 20 min hack. Should he be working for longer now?

Im just scared that i might push him too hard and be back to square one? Then other people tell me that we've done the hardest things already (strengthening the leg in walk ect)

Oh i dont know, before i ring the vet and mither him had anyones horse done anything similar? Or have any advice?

Thanks in advance.

P.s, forgot to add, he is only getting haylage as is abit tubby, and so could do with more work to get the weight off if the leg will stand it??

 

[Rambo]

I would ask your vet to be sure, but Bo did his check ligament in mid-November last year and we brought him back from rest to jumping in about 8 to 10 weeks. I seem to recall it was along the lines of 2 weeks walking then building up trot for the next 2 weeks and canter built up for another 2 and then stared pole work and eventually jumping. It sounds like your horse was more badly injured though based on the amount of time out.

 

[showjump]

Thanks for reply. Yes Bolly did have a big hole which needed injecting into ect, we went back after two months and hole was barely visable.
We walked and a little trot on hacks for 6 weeks, then we were told to canter. But tbh i think the vet half expected it to puff up, as bolly is highly strung to say the least!

When you were cantering how long for? Bolly feels great in himself so i guess i increase the work and check his leg carefully afterwards?

I will ring him and see what he says.

 

[Rambo]

I just built up over two weeks from a circuit or two of the school on each rein initially to 'normal' schooling levels by the end of it. We weren't hacking out as it was mid-winter...

The key is to watch for unlevel ground and other twists and turns that put extra pressure on.

I remember it was terrifying to try anything at first for fear of doing more damage, but now I hardly give it a second thought and he's back out competing and going great

 

[showjump]

Ok thanks. I will build it up and see how he goes.

I know im always rolling the menage so that is a good surface for him, im sure he'll be fine, hes seems fine when he broncs round with me!!