shoulder muscle injury - recovery?

[rforsyth1984]

I posted the other day about my lame neddy, well it looks like it was an injured muscle in the shoulder.
Yesterday it was very inflammed, hot and horse was very lame. A day of box rest later, with intensive cold hosing and muscle rub stuff he is much improved (though still lame, a bit warm and a bit swollen)
Question now is, do I keep him on box rest, or turn him out? Im thinking of turning him out tomorrow, for two reasons. 1, I thought muscle injuries need a bit of gentle exercise to prevent stiffening (I may be wrong here though?), and 2, horse is weaving a lot and throwing himself round the box, which surely cant be good?
Also, how long does he need off work? I know this depends on the injury and individual horse, but are we talking a week, weeks or months off work?
Never had to deal with this sort of injury before, so would appreciate any comments?!

 

[AmyMay]

Had to have the emergency vet out to the yearling on Saturday due to him having been kicked in both shoulders.

Like yours, he was very swollen. He was also terribly lame, and in obvious shock.

Vet administered pain relief intraveniously, plus a course of Danillon for the remainder of the week.

His initial advice to me was to keep him in overnight, and to see how he was in the morning. The little lad was much, much improved, so was put in a small padock with Granny. I cold hosed three times during the day, and admistered ice packs twice.

Shoulder injuries always make me a little nervous, as you just don't know what's oing on underneath. My initial concern was that there was a fracture in the worst kick. Manipulation from the vet would indicate not thankfully.

My advice to anyone would be if you are concerned, call the vet. Certainly it sounds as if your horse should be on some pain relief and anti-inflamatories if nothing else.

As for recovery. Well, if it's just bruisig etc. you are probably looking at a fortnight of rest in the field. But really only your vet can advise you appropriately.