Triple Trouble: Return to Work Notice

This isn’t a dramatic comeback. It’s a disciplined return. And after a long stretch of waiting, it feels like the right place to begin.

There comes a point in every long layoff where you begin to wonder if you’ll ever get to ride the horse again. For months, most of my fleet have been defined by restrictions. I’ve been monitoring legs, bandaging wounds, managing swelling, adjusting expectations, and riding what was available. Now, for the first time in a long time, I get to plan forward.

Buns has been off for eight months. Payco has been off for a year and a half. Those lengths of time represent significantly decreased muscle mass, deconditioned bodies, backwards momentum, and a long road to gain it all back.

I’m happy to say, the time has finally come to bring them back.

Buns’ suspensory injury has healed to a functional “new normal.” Scar tissue has replaced some of the original elasticity in the ligament. That doesn’t mean he can’t perform. It means his management must change.

Scar tissue behaves differently than native ligament fibers. It can be less elastic, more prone to soreness, and susceptible to remodeling under workload. Because of that, prevention and recovery will now be part of every single ride.

His program will include:

• Long, deliberate warm-ups, primarily walking, to increase circulation before asking for athletic effort.
• Consistent use of support boots. I’m specifically using Iconoclast or Dynamic Edge boots right now for the extra support under the fetlock. Structured support will not be optional.
• Linament after every run and ice during longer show weekends to manage inflammation and support recovery.

Being cleared to compete does not mean going full throttle. His cardiovascular base has to be rebuilt. His muscle mass needs to return gradually. His workload must increase methodically to allow his suspensory to adapt safely. The goal is not just to step back into the arena but to keep him there for a while longer.

Buns getting his ultrasound recheck. Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

Buns’ new normal. Ultrasound image from Equine Performance Veterinary Services.

Payco’s return is more restricted. While he has been cleared to resume light work, he is not cleared for competition. He still has an open wound that must fully close before we even consider increasing intensity. His leg will remain wrapped during exercise. As long as he stays sound, we can continue light riding. If he shows any lameness, he will immediately come back out of work.

He has also dealt with persistent swelling. Interestingly, controlled movement may actually aid his healing process. The lymphatic system relies heavily on muscle contraction to move fluid efficiently. Gradual, consistent exercise can stimulate lymphatic flow, reduce edema, and encourage healthier tissue remodeling. Additionally, rebuilding muscle in that limb may provide better structural support, potentially assisting the healing process overall.

But that only works if we respect progression.

His program will be built around walking. Trail riding. Varied terrain. No pattern work. No tight turns. No speed. Trail miles will likely define his work until the wound is completely closed and his limb demonstrates consistent stability. After a year and a half off, there is no reason to rush.

Being down to one horse for this long changed the rhythm of my barn. For months, I felt like I was in a holding pattern, maintaining fitness where I could, supporting recovery where I had to, and waiting. Now, instead of waiting, I get to build. That shift is significant.

Rehab is rarely glamorous. It’s repetitive and measured. It requires close observation: monitoring heat, swelling, recovery rates, and subtle changes in stride. It requires accepting that some days will feel great and others may require stepping back.

There will be a lot of walking. A lot of trail riding. A lot of gradual progression. But it’s a step forward and I can’t wait to swing a leg over each of them.

Extended layoffs require rebuilding multiple systems:

• Muscular strength
• Tendon and ligament tolerance
• Cardiovascular capacity
• Neuromuscular coordination

Muscle strengthens relatively quickly. Soft tissue adapts more slowly. That means even if a horse feels strong early, workload increases must respect the slower timeline of ligament adaptation.

For Buns, that means thoughtful scheduling of competitions and spacing runs strategically. For Payco, that means time, possibly months, of conservative work before considering the next step. There is a difference between being sound today and being durable over a season. I am aiming for durability.

Buns getting his hocks injected and getting ready for competition.

I will need to rally the troops for this phase. Rehab miles are easier with company. Walking trails feels shorter when someone else is walking beside you. Trail rides feel purposeful when shared. Consistency will matter. Accountability will help. Warmer days and safer ground will make this next phase far more productive, so go on and get, winter.

After eight months off, Buns came back feeling fresh and athletic. He wanted to go places and he wanted to go there fast. However, he was the best boy and he’s been great to ride since his first rehab ride. He started with 15 – 20 of walking in the arena and 15 minute trail rides on flat. Then we graduated him to trails with some hill work and some light trotting. Finally, after a solid month, he graduated to trotting and low loping patterns. We’ll keep him there until I feel confident he is fit.

How Buns feels about being back to work versus how I feel. Photo by Kamille Huff

Buns’ first shoot back post injury and Kamille’s first shoot as a Ladies Level 1. Photo by Roam Photos

After a year and a half, Payco was also the best boy. We did one small trail ride on him for 15 minutes and I didn’t like the way he looked the day after. So instead of progressing with riding, I have been ponying him on the trails to work his muscles back up before we attempt to ride him again.

Payco happy to be back in the routine of things. Photo by Marcella Gruchalak

I am grateful that Buns is strong enough to step back into the arena, with smarter management. Grateful that Payco is healthy enough to begin rebuilding. Grateful that instead of managing absence, I’m planning progression.

This isn’t a dramatic comeback. It’s a disciplined return. And after a long stretch of waiting, it feels like the right place to begin.