Recovering from Hysterectomy - Should my horse have time off?

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Thesnowbones

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Hi lovelies.

I have severe endometriosis and am having a full hysterectomy in a few weeks. I've been told that the recovery is going to be at least 12 weeks, perhaps longer. I have a 19year old ISH who has arthritis in his hocks, and stifles. I usually ride him 2/3 times a week, when my health allows, but am worried about what to do whilst I'm recovering. I have a sharer for him, but she's been very unreliable lately, which really worries me. He gets all day turnout which is great, and we don't do anything crazy - just gentle schooling. I just don't want him to have all that time off and it being to his detriment. He's a gorgeous and sensitive lad.

Any advice welcome. I am wondering whether to just give him a few months off, or let the sharer ride him once a week when she's around. I can't decide what is better ?

Thank you x
 
If you have somewhere safe to hand walk him, I would do that. Doesn't have to be a route march or a speed trial, just amble round for twenty minutes or so, have a natter to him, maybe a quick groom, then go home and put your feet up for an hour. Check with your surgeon when you can start gentle exercise (for you!).
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I can see no reason why the sharer can't ride him when she is available to keep him moving purposefully, rather than just ambling around at his own speed in the field.
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OP did say their sharer had been unreliable recently? So maybe they're thinking is it better for the horse to have 3 months completely off rather then just being ridden once a week hit or miss (OP don't know how many days your sharer does)

Personally I would let you're sharer continue to do him over then next few months, with the understanding that as they're are the only ones currently riding him then the less they ride him, when they do ride, the less they can actually do with him ie. a walk hack rather than a 'normal' hack. That way, the days when you're feeling okay, he's ready to do something with you too & it keeps him ticking over with his hock arthritis etc - Good luck!
 
Having had a friend recently undergo the same op, the recovery was long (10+ weeks until fully better) and at first there was no way she could leave her bed, never mind do gentle walks. Of course everyone is different but best to plan for the worst case scenario. Can you talk to the sharer and see if she can be more reliable at least for your recovery time, or perhaps find someone else as you have a few weeks? I would say that if you can organised for him to keep his workload similar it will be better for his stiffness, but if you can't manage more than whatever your sharer can do, don't beat yourself up - he'll get through 12 weeks and you can pick him up again. Do you have any option to turn out 24/7 to keep him moving? My old boy mostly hacks 3 or 4 times per week but he's ok if he doesn't do as much as long as he lives out.
 
Of course everyone is different, age & level of fitness but when I had full op thru the abdomen I was back on board in 6 weeks just light hacking, I was careful not to lift heavy things at first but bounced back quickly. I just left my horse out & we soon got going again.
 
I turned mine away when I had my hysterectomy, she went back to her breeder on grass livery for three months so I didn't have to worry about her. I still had my old boy who lived out anyway and he had six weeks off as well although he might have had the odd ride with friends I can't quite remember. I'd do whatever gives you the most peace of mind, the recovery period is different for everyone I think mucking out was actually worse than riding.
 
I also had a full hysterectomy at 50 and I was very fortunate to be back riding (gentle hacking only) in just over a month, but my surgeon did say that was not advisable and very unusual but he recognised that a lot of horse riders seem to have a better recovery due to good muscle and core strength.

Obviously we are all very different but if your horse is generally a good steady sort who doesn't need working every day I would be inclined to give him the break too and then you can both gradually bring yourselves back into work later this summer. I think the unreliable occasional ride from the sharer won't do any harm but won't do much good either.
 
Thank you so much guys. This is all really helpful. Sadly I need work on my bowel too, so it might not be keyhole. I find out more at my pre-op tomorrow morning. I have asked the sharer to be more reliable, and I hope she takes it well. I know she's got some personal stuff going on - bless her! I'm going to have a good chat with the surgeon and see what he suggests/recommends. My boy is a pretty steady lad. He's an ex school master, and has the most gentle nature in the world, despite being huge. I think he enjoys time off, and a quieter life - bless him.
 
So sorry, that was not what you needed! My older, arthritic boy came back really nicely after 3 months off for my hysterectomy. I’m sure he’ll be fine. Wishing you a speedy recovery & don’t rush things (I hope there is someone to help you with the jobs).
 
Puffinollo said:
So sorry, that was not what you needed! My older, arthritic boy came back really nicely after 3 months off for my hysterectomy. I’m sure he’ll be fine. Wishing you a speedy recovery & don’t rush things (I hope there is someone to help you with the jobs).
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Thank you so much. That is really reassuring to hear x
 
That’s awful! I bet she is no longer a sharer?! I was going to suggest it might be best for him to have a holiday so you can both come back into work and get fit together.
 
irishdraft said:
Of course everyone is different, age & level of fitness but when I had full op thru the abdomen I was back on board in 6 weeks just light hacking, I was careful not to lift heavy things at first but bounced back quickly. I just left my horse out & we soon got going again.
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I was same, had everything out through the sun roof and although was careful to check consultant was happy first, was walking around doing light jobs around house after 10 days, then by 6 wks riding again.
Was summer so they were out .
 
spotty_pony2 said:
That’s awful! I bet she is no longer a sharer?! I was going to suggest it might be best for him to have a holiday so you can both come back into work and get fit together.
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Yep, she is no longer sharing my boy. She send me a message saying that she'd 'had time to reflect' and decided that she didn't have the time for him anymore. I sent a pretty strong message back :D

@Jellymoon that's my plan now. He's going to have a nice holiday ☀️
 
Thesnowbones said:
Hi lovelies.

I have severe endometriosis and am having a full hysterectomy in a few weeks. I've been told that the recovery is going to be at least 12 weeks, perhaps longer. I have a 19year old ISH who has arthritis in his hocks, and stifles. I usually ride him 2/3 times a week, when my health allows, but am worried about what to do whilst I'm recovering. I have a sharer for him, but she's been very unreliable lately, which really worries me. He gets all day turnout which is great, and we don't do anything crazy - just gentle schooling. I just don't want him to have all that time off and it being to his detriment. He's a gorgeous and sensitive lad.

Any advice welcome. I am wondering whether to just give him a few months off, or let the sharer ride him once a week when she's around. I can't decide what is better ?

Thank you x
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I had a total hysterecomy in November and was out of the saddle for 6 weeks to the day!
I could have been back in the saddle on week 4 but I promised the husband I would give it the 6 weeks.
I was able to hand walk and lunge quiet ones that didnt pull.

6 weeks wont kill your boy and specially now coming into summer maybe he could be out?
 
CastlelackSportHorses said:
I had a total hysterecomy in November and was out of the saddle for 6 weeks to the day!
I could have been back in the saddle on week 4 but I promised the husband I would give it the 6 weeks.
I was able to hand walk and lunge quiet ones that didnt pull.

6 weeks wont kill your boy and specially now coming into summer maybe he could be out?
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Thanks lovely. My doctor said 6 weeks, but I also had a bowel resection and lots of endometriosis removed. I'm on week 3.5 now, and still in quite alot of pain, but my boy is now going out all day with his friends. My family has been down and giving him lots of cuddles and carrots. We are going to come back into work together ☀️
 
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