Back to Work: How to Rehabilitate and Recondition Your Horse »

Lucinda Dyer is a freelance writer, literary publicist, and contributing editor to Publishers Weekly. She competes in dressage at the training-level. She lives in Franklin, Tennessee.

Top veterinarians explain some of the more common afflictions in equestrian sports—including injuries, illnesses, and surgeries—and then provide a foundational plan for rehabilitation and recovery. This practical guide to bringing a horse back to work is filled with true stories of riders and horses from various equestrian disciplines, injuries, climates, and ages. Horse-care professionals who have succeeded in rehabbing horses join other experts to recommend tips, therapies, and treatments. Finally, an inspiring group of stories explains riders' struggles to return after their own injury or illness, detailing the frustrations and challenges they faced and the successes they ultimately experienced. Packed with valuable, practical information on specific rehab scenarios, terminology, organizations, products, and references, this book enables horses and riders to return to their daily equestrian lives.

Horse Illustrated

No one has approached the topic quite the same way Dyer has, which is what makes Back to Work such a valuable book.

Introduction     1
Early Planning     5
Planning Ahead     6
Meet with the Vet     6
Meet with the Barn Manager     7
Maintaining a Health File     10
Keeping a Journal     11
Colic Surgery     13
Introduction to Colic Surgery   Bob Grisel, DVM     13
A Week-by-Week Plan for Rehabilitating a Horse from Colic Surgery   Bob Grisel, DVM     17
Colic Case Studies     26
Kate Taylor and Skoov-Eventing     26
Judy Long and Warpaint-Endurance     36
Lindy Archambault and Nick-Eventing     46
Michelle Ferreri and Hastings-Hunters     54
Lisa Byk and Sass-Dressage     62
Ligament and Tendon Injuries     73
Introduction to Ligament and Tendon Injuries   Nancy S. Loving, DVM     74
A Week-by-Week Plan for Rehabilitating a Horse from Ligament or Tendon Injury   Barb Crabbe, DVM     80
Active Rehabilitation of Suspensory Ligament Injuries   Richard B. Markell, DVM     88
Old-Fashioned Attention to Today's Tendon Injuries   Cooper Williams, VMD     90
Ligament Case Studies     94
Fay Watchorn andDarius-Dressage     94
Karin Occhialini and Zorba-Endurance     104
Pat Troost and Mac-Dressage     114
Cyndi Lorenzen Jackson, Kay Lorenzen and Maxine-Dressage     124
Susan McNally and Cody-Eventing     132
Carol Traver and Lilly-Jumpers     142
Ann Cohen and Mackie-Hunters     152
Lucy Trumbull and Mouse-Endurance     162
Homework, High School, and Rehabbing Horses     171
Meredith Baker and Willy-Eventing     171
Suzanne Hardesty and Stoney-Eventing     173
Tendon Case Studies     176
Julia Wendall and Redmond-Eventing     176
Jennifer Malott Kotylo and Raf-Dressage     186
Nikki Husky and Buddy-Equitation     196
Amy Crownover and Chester-Eventing     206
Allison Gaughan and Ali-Eventing     216
Sara Edelston Lieser and Mort-Eventing     226
Laminitis     237
Introduction to Laminitis   David W. Ramey, DVM     237
Rehabilitating a Horse from Laminitis   David W. Ramey, DVM     246
Laminitis Case Studies     252
Betsy Clark and Alex-Dressage     252
Megan Georges and Quimero-Dressage     262
Best Tips, Treatments, and Therapies from Riders and Experts     273
Stall Rest     274
Bedding     274
Diet     274
Fasting   Mary L. Brennan, DVM     275
Turnout     275
An International Success Story     278
Hand-Walking     280
Back to Work     285
Managing Rider Anxiety     285
Riding in Pairs     287
Rehabbing without an Arena     289
The At-Home Dressage Arena     291
Rehabbing and Schooling on the Trail     293
Back to Work Bareback     296
Treatments     297
Tools and Techniques for Rehabilitation     297
Managing Pain   Mary L. Brennan, DVM     297
Cold Hose/Ice     299
Bandaging   Mary L. Brennan, DVM     300
Rehabbing with Heart Monitors   Jeanne Waldron, DVM     302
Therapies for Rehabilitation     304
Swimming     304
Massage   Richard Valdez, LMT, ESMT     305
Riders Get Back to Work     313
Introduction   Janet Sasson Edgette, Psy.D.     314
Shouldn't I Be Over This By Now?    Janet Sasson Edgette, Psy.D.     315
Sometimes It's Not Easy to Get Back Up and Kick On   Beth Rasin     317
Rider Case Studies     324
Lynne Evans-Broken Hip     324
Lenore Kremen-Broken Shoulder     330
Kim Tester-Ovarian Cancer     336
Heather Duvernell-Severe Tibia and Fibula Fracture     342
Kristina Reimann-Morris-Broken Pelvis     350
Melanie Moehling-Dislocated Shoulder and Torn Rotator Cuff     356
Afterword     363
Resources from Contributors     365
Treatment Options and Medication     365
Extra Corporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)   W. Rich Redding, DVM, MS, DACVS     366
Product Suppliers     367
Recommended Reading     372
Associations, Organizations, and Competitions     373
Photo Credits     379
Index     381