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  Discussion on Suspensory Rehab - is handwalking as good as riding?
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New Member:
babyzeke

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 3, 2010 - 11:34 am:

I have a horse with Chronic Suspensory Desmitis in both hinds and did the surgery, now he went lame on RF and I did the PRP. He is downgraded to 50% chance of returning to previous workload ( I am more hopeful, just reporting what vet said)
He has been on 4 months total stall rest, 2 months for front leg. With 3/4 legs affected, I am going to be very carefull with him, but want to work him enough to properly strengthen the ligaments.

My dilemma is that I need to either find a safe stable with an indoor, to continue the rehab properly, or be limited to very simple handwalking keeping him at home. I will be a wreck putting him in someone elses care, (there is not a small paddock off the stall, in a controlled, quiet environment like I have now) I worry he may act up and get loose being walked out to his paddock (plan to only go to a 30x30' with a nearby pasture mate) Or that something will excite him being that it is a new place and he is fresh and still basically on stall or paddock rest and he'll re injure.

I watch him every second he is in his outdoor stall now, and feel much better having him safe at home, but we have no indoor or outdoor arena, only a small gravel paddock and a stretch of flat drive way.(drive takes about 1 minute to walk, then a turn = to 8 meter circle) The paddock is about a 20 x 45 meter rectangle.
Can I get some opinions on whether doing short straight walks / then turn and walk back- or doing 20 meter circles in the paddock is ok for hand walking -is that big enough to do my rehab work in, if I keep him here? ?
Will the trade off of assuring he is safe and calm, be worth giving up an indoor arena for the long cold winter? If I have days that it is not safe to ride or walk him due to ice or snow, will it adversely affect his outcome?
I will do all I can weather permitting - but am wondering - could he have the winter off (with some daily hand walk at a minimum) or does he NEED to be ridden and worked thru the winter to assure proper healing and strengthening.
I don't plan to just leave him alone, but would a light excersize program and having the winter off maybe be the right thing to do? I also worry I may do too much if I have a nice big indoor to ride him in.
Would love opinions on the type of areas others have had.
Also, how long before I should give full turnout again? When allowed a small pasture, would you put your horse with a pasture mate, or keep him alone - for how long? Thanks so much!!}}
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