ON DOCTOR’S ORDERS

Sir — Last autumn, a flexor tendon slipped off the bone at the tip of my ring finger, causing the end to drop. So I went to A&E and wore the splint they provided for 13 weeks, after which I could remove it for light duties.

“So just two gallons in a threegallon water bucket and use the broom but not the shovel?” I asked.

The occupational therapist sighed and pointed to the leaflet she’d given me. “Clean teeth, comb hair, use cutlery,” it said.

I decided not to mention that over the past three months, I had ridden my cob, looked after five horses for a friend and handled my 32kg German shepherd. Unsurprisingly, my finger is slightly unlevel so my advice is to follow the experts’ guidance and don’t rush the healing process. Sarah Allen

Yateley, Hants