Update on my boy - torn meniscal ligament

[JennBags]

Had the vet out today to take out his sutures following his athroscopy the week before last.

When he first came out of surgery, spoke to the vet (senior vet who did the surgery) who said to wait until his sutures were out, then he could start going out on paddock rest for 6 months before starting ridden work again.

So was very surprised when my regular vet said she'd spoken to the senior vet, and he wasn't to go out in the field at all but was to start ridden exercise

I must have looked a bit dubious about this, but she assured me that that is what senior vet had said to her. I said I didn't really fancy getting on him (horse that is, not the vet ) until he'd started being turned out again. Clover then nicely demonstrated why I felt this way by cantering & bucking down the yard when I tried to trot him up for her!

Anyway, we looked at the field, and we are going to quarter one of them off, dope him up to the eyeballs and turn him out on Thursday this week (next day I'm working from home).

I'll then (eeeeeek!) start ridden walking exercise on Saturday. Anyone got a Michelin Man suit they want to lend me?

 

[star]

there seems to be 2 schools of thought following this injury. turn them away (normally 6wks box rest then 6mths small paddock rest) or complete box rest then bring back into full work from box rest and no turnout allowed until cantering under saddle. The latter is the better way to ensure no setbacks as no uncontrolled exercise allowed so no leaping and skidding round the field, but unless you're on a decent yard with horse walker etc and have a semi sensible horse then it often becomes quite impossible and even dangerous. good luck!

 

[debby1]

my boy had the same, i did lots of inhand walking, he is too short for the walker pushers and would only walk round with me following him, followed by a month at ridden walk and then including trot & then put him out in a small paddock so he couldn't build up speed, but found that when he had a silly 5 minutes he would be turning lots because of the size of the paddock and he then came slightly lame again.
he is now out with his friends in a big field and instigates the play the majority of the time and is sound again.
Also about 3 months after the op he had to stay in because of the snow and he got a lot stiffer, before changing his turn out arrangement. so also confirmed by my vet he has now been moving about a lot more in a large field without the handbrake turns and hasn't been stiff since

 

[JennBags]

Star - thanks, I didn't know about no turnout but ridden exercise being a possibility at all until yesterday morning. Thinking more deeply about it, I can understand the reasons for it, and seems a better way to go.

Debby - good to hear a positive outcome for you. Am a bit concerned about him also having silly 5 mins in the field.

Now thinking I should just get on him & forget about turnout until he's a bit better. Maybe if he's had some Sedalin I'll be OK to ride him. Think I will speak to the vet again...