So I just had my horse’s fetlocks injected yesterday and decided to go training this morning to see how he felt. Then was told by my coach that he needs days off. I feel so so bad as I had no idea (bit dumb of me I know). So I’d like to know why do they need time off and what happens if they don’t 😬
They don’t need much time off, a couple of days in the box so the steroid stays in the joint space long enough. That is generally UK vet advice.
48 hours off then light riding for a few days and then back to normal is what my current vet usually suggests. But I’m surprised your vet didn’t give you discharge instructions…each vet I’ve used has done things slightly different.
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Depends on area injected. I think it is 3-5 days off for hocks but I think my vet said a week off for SI. You want what they injected to stay in the joint and the more movement the more it is dispersed. I think on SI my vet had us do 48 hours of stall rest then no riding for an additional 5 days.
Hell. Some race horses race right after. But yes…ideally there is a bit of rest. I was always told we keep them wrapped for the day and in to let the injection site close. Then you typically are light with work for a couple of days as one point of injecting is to reduce inflammation. So you want to let things quiet down. But you often don’t see the benefits of the injection for while (typically 10+ days).
I’m sure your horse will be just fine.
My 19 year old just had her hocks done for the first time last weekend and I was told 2 days off and then bring back into riding. I’m happy to take it slow!
Less than a week. Stall rest for 2-3 days with hand walking, one day of turnout or a light hack, and then a gradual return to work over the next 2-3 days.
Last time we did it, (last fall) 2 days stalls rest and then light riding and turnout for a week
@bornfreenowexpensive generally racing has changed those rules to restrict joint injections to I think 7 days out of a race.
"No intra-articular corticosteroid may be administered to a horse within 7 days of its next race. "
From: http://www.laurelpark.com/horsemen/important-regulations
I know that’s Maryland specific but I believe NY, NJ and De are following suit. Unsure about PA.
Em
My point on racing was more that the OP isn’t going to have hurt her horse. Not that it was the right thing. Yes the rules are changing for actually racing but I suspect they are still working them a lot more right after injecting when compared to those of us in the sport world.
