Agree with this. If he stays sound for canter work, then a lower jump should be ok because it won’t really have any more impact on the joints than cantering. You might want to make sure he doesn’t develop ROM issues perhaps, like, if he’s going to be a leg hanger because he doesn’t want to really flex the knee tightly, then any jumping could be dangerous from that perspective. I think the worst thing about knee problems is if it makes them functionally a bit over at the knee, because then you have an alignment problem that could contribute to tripping, uneven loading of other structures, etc.
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Yeah, definitely low level aspirations here! I don’t have the time or the funds right this second to do more than local shows for the fun of having a single weekend goal to work towards. And he’s such a cool horse that’s always down for anything and just wants to please that I think playing in many entry-level arenas will suit him fine. He’s so darn brave I think tadpole/starter eventing would be very fun, but hadn’t considered if it would be out of reach to try. I like him enough that just going and doing things with him is thrilling!
This is good to hear as a metric and very much what I was thinking. He’s leggy and typically TB athletic, so I imagine 2’ or MAYBE 2’6" won’t be much of a challenge. The moment he says “enough” I’ll listen, and good point to look for knee-hanging. I don’t feel safe on such horses anyway!
Very good point. As of this moment, his knees look entirely normal externally! Pre-surgery he’d whack them or something out in turnout and they’d swell up like crazy, but structurally they look normal. I’m still not sure if the swelling thing was a “knee chip” problem (another boarder’s horse did something similar once, and this horse swells when you look at him wrong), or just a problem at that barn (he’s moved). It hasn’t happened since, but he still does other things to scrape himself up.
Got a video from the barn today and he looks like an actual horse under saddle! I know I don’t ask nearly enough of him and should probably get back into lessons, if only to have someone help me help him.
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I 
this!!! And understand - just being able to brush mine gives me great joy.
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He’s just so fun! And has a great personality if you have a sense of humor too - the few times he’s spooked with me (all extremely valid spooks, and I stayed on) still have me smiling away, laughing at him. Even when he’s being a butthead baby who is OVER IT (bandaging, or bathing, or just Done Standing Still Being Fussed Over), he’s still trying so hard to please. It helps that he’s got maybe two braincells to rub together because he doesn’t seem to hold much of a grudge. He learns! But he’s generally willing to let you talk him through a problem, especially if snacks are involved 
. He’s like my lab/Dane mix - kinda dumb but makes up for it by being incredibly people oriented and food motivated.
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Working equitation maybe?
My horse with a bone chip had to retire from jumping - though his chip was inoperable. He improved hugely with Adequan IA, but jumping was too much.
I think you’ll likely figure out that whatever jumping you’re doing is too much, before it causes long term issues, just because you’ll be paying extra attention.
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