Equestrians? Thoughts on what we can do post op?

Hey - I am a horse person - and wondered if after a DaVinci surgery if I will be able to move horses - and handle them - without riding - just to move them from one pasture to another. I don't think I can clean stalls, but think I could feed them in their stalls and move them as needed.

Probably going to do it - anyway - my husband can feed - but he goes to work so early - it is too early to let them out. I know - horses adapt - but I am overly protective.

I love horses unfortunately I'm also severely allergic to them. Boooo!

Anyway what I wanted to share was my experience today. I had my LAVH on Tuesday at noon. Today I decided to go to a Halloween parade. I was driven there and home, only a 5 minute ride and took a walker with me to sit on for the half hour we were there. When I got home I laid down and napped for 2 hours, I was so tired. I got up to use the washroom where I discovered I'd started bleeding. So even though today didn't seem like a big deal to me my body apparently thought it was too much.

It will probably be a couple weeks or more before you will be up to even doing what seemed like no real work at all before.

Good luck and a speedy recovery!

We have 3 horses, my DH does most all the work to take care of them. He went back to work after 2 weeks of staying home with me. All I could do was fill the water buckets, left the hose out so I wouldn't have to drag it. I was able to turn them out, they were very well behaved , like they knew I was recovering. About 4 weeks started mucking stalls but left full muck cart for DH to finnish. Also could brush the horses and give them cookies, just didn't lift anything heavy. Didn't ride until 8 weeks post op.

Bingokitten - that does seem like you didn't "do" all that much - to start bleeding again - Thanks for your input.

Astrid- I figured I would be able to do little stuff - I am going to leave it to my DH to clean the stalls lol. I don't do much riding in the winter - so, it works to have the surgery in the winter. We only have six horses- and they all know what to do after feeding - I do have a heavy door - so I might have to figure out another way to get one of the horses outside- Each stall has an exit to a paddock - then we have a bigger pasture out back, where they normally go - but maybe a couple of them will have to be in the paddock for a couple of weeks. Still good to know that you were able to do something.

Arabrider -

I have 2 Tennesse Walkers and they are easy to turn out, basically they walk across on their own and don't have to be led. I had to lead them and worry about jerking or pulling I would have wanted none of that for several weeks.

Even with the daVinci you have had major surgery. The problem is that the small incisions make you think it was no big deal. It is also a very individual recovery based on what all was removed and how your body reacts. I asked my Dr. about 2 to 4 weeks back to work and he said "let's say 6 and maybe 8" whereas most Drs go with the marketing information and say 2 weeks and it will be like you didn't have surgery. Some do and some don't go that route.

I hope my opinion helps.

Yes- Thank you - My horses are easy too - so hopefully I can manage. Going to have my husband feed - and all I have to do is let them out.

True about the DaVinci - I just feel like it will be no big deal. Probably because the incisions will be so small. I might end up letting go of that vision - once it really happens.

I had DVH 11 days ago and I would be very scared of a jerk on the lead or or even a spook pulling me. Horses even the best can be spooked and jerk the lead.
Just be ever so careful..... At 11 days I would not want to start over with internal bleeding....
good luck...

Well - I don't even have close to the best horses- so, yeah - they would jerk me - I was hoping that all I had to do is open doors and wait for them to walk out.

Just had the farrier out - so that will be done for a couple of months - they can be a challenge - have a six month old that was quite the challenge. Gave my farrier extra money for all the extra time he spent. Got the job done though - And she got a lesson on standing still.

Ok - maybe I won't just head to the barn for my fix - at least not right away. We are fortunate to have heated automatic waterers - so, unless something goes wrong - they should be ok that way.