Back to work???

Hi there,

First, thank you for your help/advice with my foot issue. She’s getting better.

Next – I have a question regarding when to go back to work following an injury.

Background:
Four weeks ago today I came home from the Dr and found one of my mares with 3 significant cuts on her back legs. She was fine earlier that morning – so these were within 3 hours. I called the vet. She finally came out (after 4 hours) and looked at her leg. I had scrubbed it with soap and water, then applied Blue-Kote (but scrubbed it off within 5 minutes of applying it, because she said it causes tissue necrosis – when I talked to her on the phone before she came out). So – she finally gets here and looks at it – no tendon or ligament involvement, thank goodness! But the muscle is cut in two places on the big cut. She will not suture it closed because: 1) it had been 6 hours since the accident, too long to close well; and 2) I put that Blue-Kote on – she said that because of the tissue death, the laceration would open back up anyway.

So – I’m power-washing it to remove all debris and debride it of granulation twice a day for 20 minutes each time. Then I cover it in Furazol. It’s looking good – well, as good as it can, I suppose. The avulsion is at least half the size it was, and the big laceration has probably gained at least 1/2″ of new skin. (Side question – consensus on Furazol?? something else better???)

My question is – when can I hitch them and do some work? She does not limp and has good extension/free movement at the trot (as seen in the pasture on her own). There are no weight bearing issues when standing or at the walk. She will do a 3-legged lope sometimes – but she rarely sees the need to go that fast normally. Obviously I don’t want to go on a 20 mile wagon train – but I would like to drag the pasture and lot to redistribute their piles, and would like to go for a short wagon ride.

I don’t want to over-extend her, nor cause any lameness – but I would like to do some light work a couple times per week so they don’t get so rusty. (They sat all winter long while I recovered from a broken back and pelvis – they were just going really well when she got cut – figures.)

Any thoughts on that?

Here’s a couple pictures – one is the day it happened (excuse the hose/water), the other was taken two days ago.