Hey every one!
My horse has just had an op, he had chips in his pedal bone, front legs, the op was a success and he is still at the clinic.
He comes back in a few days and then has 2 weeks box rest.
Anyone have tips on what to do for a horse in box rest?
Note: he is very nervy in the stable and wants to know EVERYTHING that's going on. He's also a very big guy, almost 17.3hh(180cm) and acts like a stallion...he is also a poor eater.
Anyone have experience with box rest and have tips? Want to make my baby boy as comfy as possible!
Tips Would be much appreciated!
Thanx xx Posted via Mobile Device
never had a horse on box rest but maybe you could put a ball or likit in his stall to keep him entertained...and maybe some calming supplements if he starts getting agitated being stuck there?
What's the reason for the vets advising boxrest? Has he got wounds & you can't keep them clean outside? If it's only a case of him needing to 'rest' for another couple of weeks - or there's an outside place you can keep the wounds clean, I'd keep him out in a small yard rather than boxed if he's nervous about it.
What do you mean a poor eater? Free choice hay is no.1 requirement for horses that can't graze.
He is very fussy with his food and any stress he usually won't eat.
He has been very good so far.
He can only be worked again in 3 months, beacause the operation was in his leg and so the affected ligaments need to heal after the chips have been removed so he cannot move around like he would in a paddock as he would cause damage to his leg... After 2 weeks box rest he is allowed to move to a small paddock though. Because he isn't allowed to move we're going to have to sudate him, so he doesn't hurt himself, my poor boy ... Posted via Mobile Device
If he's too stressed kept in a box, he might actually move less if outside in a yard & more relaxed. Esp if he goes hungry for any length of time from stress and also to help counter side effects of meds he's on, I'd feed him a probiotic with free choice hay & low starch diet.
Curious to know exactly where the bone chips were if they got to them through the leg? What was the cause? Osteoporosis, accident...?
Ya, he has all the supplements and stuff... Vet has no idea how it happened but she sais it is very old injury, before we even got him even (had him 2 years) overlooked them on x-rays when we bought him because you couldn't see them from the angle he was x-rayed. The chips get bigger as they calcify and because we want him to still be ridable for many years the op was the only solution... He is NOT allowed to be out of the box as he needs a sterile environment and is not really allowed to walk for 2 weeks....
I am really worried at the moment because the vet at the clinic(seb is still there) told us he had very mild colic this morn... Went to visit him and he was okay, just very worried... My poor boy Posted via Mobile Device
Seb is looking great! He is out of box rest and is allowed in a small paddock, where he is very happy next to *his* mare Leyla. He has lost muscle of course but not much, he is also suddenly gained appetite and is eating great!
So releived my baby boy is okay! Thanx for all the advice Posted via Mobile Device
Good news for both of you. You sound thrilled, as you should be.
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