Here it is, winter, and you've just found out your horse is going to be laid up with a tendon or ligament injury. The time frame for healing, is usually 8 months or more. If you're lucky, maybe less. 
You know the drill. Stall rest, for the first few weeks. Hand walking. Then you can ease into 20min. walk rides. This starts to get boring for you and your horse. Sometimes you think your horse is going out of his mind. Try some "Brain Flexion" exercises. Here are some ideas that can make your horses' rehab a little more interesting. It also helps in the relationship between you and your horse.
Create an obstacle course. It doesn't take much, some poles, a tarp, cones, hula hoops, a platform and you can arrange it into an interesting challenge for your horse. Add some flowers, greenery to add a little visual interest. You will be amazed how this helps in desensitization. I also use these obstacles to prepare horses for the trails. I use it in general training techniques. It also becomes a test to see what side of the brain your horse uses.
Start with walking over poles, approximately 3' apart (this is walking distance for most horses). Then graduate to other obstacles. This should be done in hand first then under saddle. Take you time. Go slow! Some horses may be a little apprehensive at first, but if you use the approach and retreat method, your horse will get the idea of what you want. A little treat for the slightest try works wonders.
Use side ways, backing, stop and start. This will help in developing muscle tone and cordination. Most of all, have FUN!
July 25, 2011 "Lovely Bones"....of the horse, lecture at lunch, hosted by "Chateau du Cheval" for the "The Blue Ridge School of Equestrian Arts", was a BIG hit! A well attended audience got to see, first hand the skeletal structure painted on a horse. Lecturer and artist, Lydia Juenger did just that! It was an eye opener for many. They got to see first hand the location and function of these bones. There were some great questions asked by t
