returning to work after box rest/lami

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alivetnurse

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Hi there, my mare has been on box rest after a laminitic attack in November so she has been in for about 19 weeks poor lady. After her 3rd set of xrays on thurs the vet is happy that the rotation that she had ( RF 4.3 LF1.8 ) is def no worse perhaps even slightly better, just waiting for her to work out the amount of rotation for me. As she has been sound now for a good month the idea is to start with 10 mins walking daily and build up. Any ideas the best way of doing this, we have an outdoor school but I know she is just going to explode on the end of a lead rope if I take her in there as she will be desperate for a good roll and leg stretch, she has the remedial farrier coming on tues to see whats best to do with her feet now as she has thin soles and flat feet so not a good combination and she struggles on roads without shoes. I have got her some hoof boots for the front so not sure if better/safer to lead her up the road and back to start. Ideally I would like to make a pen in the field for her and my other pony so she can be out during the day with soaked hay but the fields look like the somme at the moment so thats not going to happen anytime soon. Any hints or tips please x
 
My boy got struck down with lami about a year ago. He had 6 months box rest, and I was then told to start walking in hand in the school for 5 mins a day and then slowly up it. He was fit to explode, he was fine walking to the school as it was concrete but straight away he got one foot on the soft surface he would let rip. I had to walk him with someone and have them hold a rope on the other side. After a few walks I made the decision he needed sedating, I was worried about him damaging himself, and who ever had to handle him. I think making a pen would be a good idea, I would have liked to have made one for mine but wasn't aloud where I use to be stabled.
I found that 2 digits of sedalin about 40 mins before I walked him worked really well. I was walking him in hand for about 5 weeks and eventually got to ride him in the school for 10 mins a day walking. After 3 weeks of riding him in walk we started doing little trots, and it then went really quickly before I knew it we were cantering again. His first walk down the road was also very interesting he bucked and squeaked the whole way down the road. It was a very long process, getting him fit but he is now back to his normal self competing and working at elementary level again. He has come back so much stronger from having a break. He is the best he has ever been at the moment. fingers crossed it stays that way. Good luck with your horse, I'm sure she will back to herself in no time :)
 
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