My 12 year old cob mare went lame on Friday last week, It would appear she has sprained something in the region of her fetlock. She has improved a lot over the last couple of days and has gone from being extemely lame to being pretty much sound at walk, still a bit lame at trot though.

I just wondered what people's opinions are on rest periods after this type of injury? I'd imagine I should rest her for at least a couple of weeks after she is completely sound but then I also want to keep her moving as much as possible so she doesn't stiffen up. Any advice would be great, thank you!!

It depends on the injury, some benefit from work, some dont.

You really need to take your vets advice as getting it wrong could cause some permanent damage.

The vet said he didn't need to see her again so long as she was improving, she hasn't had any nerve blocks or x rays and therefore we don't know just exactly which ligament/tendon etc has been sprained. She is now sound at trot and I have been letting her out for limited grazing and wandering, I was thinking of keeping her resting in the field for another 2 - 3 weeks and seeing how she goes??

If she is sound and the vet is happy then I don't see any problem in bringing her in back into gentle work just take it careful.

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