Returning horse to work after box rest...

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llohcins

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Hertfordshire
www.thehorsediva.co.uk
Horse has had fairly minor tendon sheath injury and has been on box rest/ stable sized paddock now for five weeks. This week he can return to ridden walk work (walk hacking only) for four weeks. He has been doing daily inhand walks around our fields for 15mins a day for the past 10 days. However I am nervous to get straight back on and hack given the fact he has had nearly 6 weeks total rest. In normal situations if he had a week or so off I would pop him on the lunge then ride (plus he would have normal turnout). He would normally have a buck or two then be good as gold. However vets want him to stay away from the school and circles and the small paddock rest (now size of two stables) continues for another month...What do you think my best option is?! He is 5yr old 16.3hh and I dont want to be catapolted!!
 
In an ideal world you would just get on as the vet wants you to and be safe, it is not an ideal world and if the horse is likely to buck you off and gallop loose he will risk doing far more damage than a few circles on the lunge rein before you get on will cause, as long as it is just on day one I would do as little as you can get away with then follow the rehab very carefully.
 
I have just started walking mine after 7 months off, I did pay a pro to get on the first couple of times (is a person who specialises in breaking and schooling problem horses so stickability levels are pretty high and he also has a HUGE pair of brave pants!) however if that had not been an option I would have considered a small dose of sedalin to keep him sane. As it was, he surprised me and has been surprisingly good so far *touching wood frantically*
 
Have you tried walking in hand for 10 mins and then riding for the final five? Then build up the ridden time. Do you have a friend with a reliable horse who could 'nanny' you for the first few rides? It's not usually as bad as you fear because they are so happy to be out and about! Good luck.
 
Hoopsa said:
Have you tried walking in hand for 10 mins and then riding for the final five? Then build up the ridden time. Do you have a friend with a reliable horse who could 'nanny' you for the first few rides? It's not usually as bad as you fear because they are so happy to be out and about! Good luck.
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Was just about to suggest this ^. If he is used to a few of your 'in-hand' routes which, presumably, you are only walking then using those for the first ridden times shouldn't be too much drama.

Take someone with to help you feel calm if nothing else :-)
 
I have mostly been walking him round out fields inhand, which I would easily do on horse back. I might try and lunge him on the grass first- if there is anything in him its usually out by the second lap! Yes I do have someone lined up to accompany me out. Fingers crossed!
 
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