Hummy's Recouperation Programme

Unable to lock Hummy up away from the other horses (no room in the barn during lambing and calving) the next best option for him is to start him on a ridden excercise programme to try and harden up the leg and increase the blood flow to the ligament with gentle sustained excercise in straight lines. Basically a programme of walking for increasing periods for about 3 weeks and see how he copes. If he is ok then to increase further and introduce a little trot work still all in straight lines. This will take a long time up to a year (he has already been off for nearly a year!) but I should be able to introduce work on line so long as it isn't small circles and turns etc. If he does't cope we will have to find some way to lock him up for 3 months and do the shockwave treatment.

Day one: saddled up halter on checked yields and rope arounds mounted half way. Hummy seemed fine so mounted properly. checked yields again and direct and indirect turns carfully and slowly he seemed fine just a bit impatient to go so we went. He was a real gentleman! A little unconfident in himself , would rather follow the others than lead but happy with me up top. There was heat in the ligament when we were done with ten mins road walk but I think that is the point the excercise increases blood flow which will create heat but aid healing. It was fine and not filled next day. He was really affectionate after.
Day 2: Saddled up another ten mins walk better than day one, more confident. Ligament the same.
Day 3: I can't beleive this horse he is so light I think stop he stops before i pick up the reins, iI think back up pand it is done! He hasn't been ridden for a year!.... Much straighter than yesterday and confidence back he was happy to stride out in the lead today. Again heat at the end of the ride but no filling later or the next day so things seem to be going as planned. Hummy is enjoying going out on rides again and is there waiting to be saddled up. I love that horse sooo much!