What would you do??

[cob1]

Posted already - coblet diagnosed with ligament damage to his back, and needs 6 month intensive rehab with shockwave, physio and groundwork / riding.

Bit of a dillema - in Sept i start my last year of part time day release degree, i also work full time ages away from home (so im out of the house from 7am until 6pm).

Summer i have no problems fitting things in, but he needs hacking out in straight lines from October, gradually building up his work until February 2010. Usually in winter he only gets worked 3 times per week, light hacks weekend and a flatwork lesson through the week weather dependant.

Im thinking maybe just turning him away for 12 months - that will see me to the end of my degree (just having riding lessons until then). I would send him to a yard 40 miles away which is fab - i have my lessons there at weekend so can see him then - would be on full livery so looked after properly by people i trust.

What would you all do?

It does feel a bit selfish, but i honestly cannot fit his rehab in during the winter months (and i want to do it myself rather than sending him away).

The vet did say the rehab just speeds up recovery

Does it make sense to see if he comes right anyway?

 

[Tickles]

Talk to your vet. You'll get some opinions from people a lot more knowledgeable than me on here but your vet should be able to advise on alternatives too.

 

[angela_l_b]

Oh, I do sympathise! I have a similar problem with back issues - having the last lot of shockwave next week, then 2 weeks off and then rehab. Trouble is, he's turning into a wild beastie in the field (bringing him in is a trauma involving a big lively thing on the end of a rope) and I can imagine that riding is going to be great fun. I'm 5 months pregnant and can't really see myself getting the rehab done successfully and safely in the next few months!

I can't answer your question about whether to give him time off or not but would be equally interested in the replies as I may have to do the same thing - give him until about March when hopefully I can leave baby with my mum for a couple of hours each day while I re-tame the beast. I can't see that some time off in a field would do any harm.

Anyway, it's mostly over winter - a good excuse to have a horse-free winter for a change, and curl up inside with a box of chocolates feeling smug (and maybe just missing the beastie a little...).

Good luck!

 

[cob1]

Ive got the physio out tomorrow morning, so will probs have an off the record chat with him about it, then the vet if he thinks it is feasible.

Angela ... a horse free winter sounds like the way forward!!!!

Also at the riding school im having lessons on their horses - so getting more experience of riding others (making best of a bad situation)! Im riding their 17.2hh Dutch Warmblood BE horse next week (soooo excited!).

 

[PippiPony]

If the vets are happy i think it sounds a good way forward. Assuming you are not going to damage his recovery & i can't quite think how you would, time off over patchy & limited work seems like a sensible solution. Hope it works out ok.