Post care after Colic surgery

[cphillipsball]

I have a 19year old who has recovered from Colic surgery but don't really know how to get her back to fitness and what I should be doing with her, should I be considering retirement as gentle walk brings her up with swollen legs.

 

[AmyMay]

What kind of advice have you had from the vets treating her??

 

[cphillipsball]

None at all, just the fact that she should eb able to go back to normal work, however it is just me. I have been through hell and back and don't want to make her unwell by just being greedy, but then again don't want to retire her and she loses the will to live

 

[Scarlett1980]

I'd take it really slowly and build up her work day by day so you can stop at anytime.

Maybe contact some feed companies and supplement companies about healthy, natural products that might help her digestive tract heal and reduce any swelling in her legs.

A good source of antioxidants will help her immune system recover and reduce swelling.

Find people who will work closely with you and your vet. winergy are really good at giving non biased advice and finding the best solution for your horse individually. their number is 01908 226626

Also, holisticvets.com are really interesting and may be able to offer you some advice?

good luck

 

[jules9671]

my 10yr old gelding is recovering from colic surgery too, he is approaching 6wks since he had it, i have been told that if he has been getting lots of in hand walking i could possibly start riding after 2months,but it will probably be more like 2 and a half months till i start riding him, he is in a small electric area in the field with my other horse,at 2months he is allowed to go into a paddock which i think he may trot and canter,but depending on what he is like in the field i will be walking with him every other day on a short hack,just to build his fitness up,at the moment he is raring to go into the field with his mate and jsut kick his legs up,personally i have a changed horse since the surgery and the surgery was totally worth it and im not going to rush to get him to work any faster as i have not ridden him properly for 5-6months and i can wait for a few more months.

 

[Enfys]

My mare had colic surgery years ago, we couldn't bring her back into work as she was also recuperating from a serious tendon injury so she just went out in the field when the wound had healed. The Vets (a Newmarket surgery) suggested putting her in foal as she had to have such a long lay off.

If she had been OK to work then my own Vet said that you just bring them back into work gradually and pay attention to how the horse is reacting.

The main thing with colic surgery was not so much the work but the dietary after care, really stick to the little and often rule about hard feed and introduce changes very gradually, I also fed probiotics. There is hope, my horse lived another 12 years after her surgery, raced again, hunted hard for three seasons, did endurance and managed to find time to have four foals all without another colic episode at all.

 

[Fairynuff]

Usually its the other way round re swelling! I would have the vet check her over paying attention to her heart. Its strange though

.Mairi.