Rehab return to work in winter

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acw295

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I'm at the start of rehabbing my pony from annular ligament desmotomy surgery (tendons were fine). She is back on normal turnout and 20 mins ridden walking daily (prior to this we had over 2 weeks hand walking). Vet instructions were to do this for 2 weeks then gradually add trot and increase the distance we are walking, then a "normal 6 week return to work" plan.

I just wondered if anyone could share how they do this at this time of year with lack of light to deal with? At the moment I can do the 20-30 mins before work as it is just light enough, and I hope I can manage this for the next month or so although it might be a bit tough until clocks change - but there will become a point where it is just too dark before or after work during the week. We have a school with lights so just wondered at what point you'd introduce some time in the school? My normal winter routine is to hack at weekends and do 2 goes in the school per week (inc a lesson). Obviously I wouldn't school but could I do circuits of the school in walk with a bit of trot? Vet said to just avoid any "pulling" ground like deep mud. Our school is not really deep apart from in the corners (rubber).

I have to leave for work at 07:45 exactly and I don't get to the yard before 18:20-18:40. Can't change my hours or commute and have no-one to ride for me. Horse is nearly 20 and I am not looking at a return to competing as we had knocked that on the head some time ago as she won't load. So there is no particular fitness goal here - but regular movement is needed to help maximise chance of complete success.

We have winter turnout, limited to around 7-8 hours from Bonfire night onwards so she will be out everyday (big fields, group turnout).

Obviously in the ideal world I would either take 6 weeks off work and ride her myself in daylight or send her to a fancy rehab yard for them to do it for me. But neither of those is happening! All of my leave went on the vet visits and am flat broke. I could possibly get her hacked once in the week by my RI but not every day.
 
What did your vet say when you explained all this? I would start there and ask the question, is your maximum effort enough or is there an ideal and then have a think from there. You arent aiming for anything, the horse is twenty, do you need to keep them in work for the winter? That would be my question to the vet.
 
Antw23uk said:
What did your vet say when you explained all this? I would start there and ask the question, is your maximum effort enough or is there an ideal and then have a think from there. You arent aiming for anything, the horse is twenty, do you need to keep them in work for the winter? That would be my question to the vet.
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Vet just said as much walking as possible, introduce trot gradually and just build up to normal workload. I asked about surfaces and she just said to avoid mud or anything pulling. So it wasn't a "no" to the School but not exactly a resounding yes. Vets never seem to acknowledge that a lot of owners have full time jobs and commutes to contend with! To reduce risk of adhesions she needs to move as much as possible so turnout on its own is insufficient so it is important that I "crack on" (Vet's words).

I think I can do daily walking for 4 weeks but how soon after that to start the school is the norm in a 6 week return to work plan? Last operation she had I worked much nearer the yard and managed 12 weeks of daily hacking before I went anywhere near a School but there is no way I can do 12 weeks of daily hacking this time of year.
 
FfionWinnie said:
I hack in the dark all the time with lights. Depends on the horse! Could you wander round the yard/carpark if it’s lit?
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Sorry to butt in but I am interested in your reply. I hack out with flashing leg lights spring, summer, autumn and winter but have often thought about hacking down the lane from the yard in the evening as its a quiet lane.Do you feel safe enough? I know horses can see very well in the dark it just the drivers not expecting you that I would worry about.Maybe I should start a thread on this rather than hijack this one?
 
I’ve got an ultra reflective hi viz rug plus the lights. I actually think drivers slow down more because you’re much more visible with the right kit on. I don’t meet many on the route I take when it’s dark tho. To get the horse used to it I time the first few for coming home when it’s not pitch black then they get used to head lights and shadows and stuff without it being really scary. They tend to be less spooky in the dark as well. Only thing that’s bothered mine a little was seeing the headtorch moving around on the ground but they get used to it all really quickly.

Best ever rides have been when there’s a big full moon and frosty so you can see quite well without lights (I don’t mean on the road obv). So special.
 
FfionWinnie said:
I’ve got an ultra reflective hi viz rug plus the lights. I actually think drivers slow down more because you’re much more visible with the right kit on. I don’t meet many on the route I take when it’s dark tho. To get the horse used to it I time the first few for coming home when it’s not pitch black then they get used to head lights and shadows and stuff without it being really scary. They tend to be less spooky in the dark as well. Only thing that’s bothered mine a little was seeing the headtorch moving around on the ground but they get used to it all really quickly.

Best ever rides have been when there’s a big full moon and frosty so you can see quite well without lights (I don’t mean on the road obv). So special.
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Ok thanks for that FW.Agree with what you say about the more effort you put in the better reception you get. I have a hi viz exercise sheet that I wear all year round, a hi viz hat strip for tall hedges by us, and a tabard as well as lights.I enjoy my hacking and working FT its dark when I get to the stables. I may give it a go and see how we get on. Iexpect everyone will be up in arms about the 'danger' of it all but I think it will be good fun. our road directly away from the yard is very long and straight up to a point where there is a sharpish bend but the beauty of riding at night is that you can see if there is a car coming as you will see its lights. Thanks for taking the time to reply to me.
 
I've ridden in the dark before but not safe to do so where I am sadly. The traffic in the village doesn't given a hoot about hi-viz (I own the full lot complete with flashing lights etc) as it is a rat run to Leicester and my pony is not in the least traffic safe so it would be too dangerous. I used to hack in the dark by headtorch when we lived elsewhere but that was off road. Unfortunately she likes to sit on car bonnets given half the chance and we can't go anywhere without going through the village first (well there is a bridleway option near the yard but it is heavy clay mud in winter and I've been told not to go near it for rehab as it will pull).

Unfortunately the yard and car park are tiny too so can't do 40 mins plus in there - I used it for the 5 mins inhand but that was about the limit!
 
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