Advice needed for horse needing long term box rest

Cuffey

Cuffey

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I have been sent this email via a local photographer from an equestrian photographer and horse owner in Germany.
I will direct the horse owner to this page so I hope someone who has had this experience could offer help please.


''Ill-fortune struck on Tuesday afternoon: our mare Divinitas was seriously hurt and in order for us to save her life, we are in need of the advice of anyone who cares for horses or is experienced with them.

The extensor tendon in Divinitas' right hind leg was severed in two places. Helpers and the veterinarian came immediately. I drove her to the clinic where she was cared for and taken into surgery during which the extent of the injury became apparent. The tendon could not be stitched together as desired. Our farrier was on the spot right away, forged a special horse shoe and fitted it.

Our veterinarian, his team and our farrier have done their utmost to help Divinitas, and for the next two weeks, she will be in the best of care in the clinic.

Divinitas must - in order to survive - stand still and alone for nine months. This is an incredible challenge for any horse, but everyone who knows her also knows what this must mean to her. It has always been the base of our horse-keeping to give them room to move and always to be in physical company of at least one other horse at all time. Right here, I need to advice, your ideas. I need your help.

Maybe you have cared for a horse in the same situation as Divinitas or maybe you know someone who has. Maybe you just happen to have a good idea how we may help Divinitas to keep calm. Feeding, conditions for her keeping. Unconventional but effective ideas for the farrier or the vet. They are doing wonderful work already, but they are open to consider new approaches. It is not possible for one person to know everything that may be helpful. I have friends in the equine world around the globe: Please be my eyes, be my ears, please help me.

Divinitas' gaze is the home of my joy, my heart beats in her chest. She means the world to me. I believe in the good of this world, and if we help one another, even the greatest trial may be overcome and all the best may happen.

Thank you very much.

Stephen Rasche-Hilpert
raschehilpert@me.com ''
 
Does this mean the horse has to be cross-tied for 9 months? I am not sure I would chose to do this to any of my horses and I understand the alternative.

Does it mean the horse has to be box rested for 9 months? This is more do-able especially depending on the horse. If she were mine I would send her to a professional rehab yard. It's a break from her usual routine so it's easier to adjust to the new conditions, there are likely to be other box rested horses around to keep her company and the professionals running the yard will have a lot of experience of dealing with similar cases. There are few things that really help with box rest, but they could try toys, food that is hidden in different places and difficult to get to and low energy hay in small hole haynets so she can trickle feed all the time. I believe vets can now offer long term sedative injections but I have no idea if it is possible to do something like that over this long a period of time.

Good luck with the horse.
 
I am so sorry. I would not put my horse through this .Sometimes the kindest and the hardest thing is to put the one you love beyond suffering.
 
Mike007 said:
I am so sorry. I would not put my horse through this .Sometimes the kindest and the hardest thing is to put the one you love beyond suffering.
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This ^^^ I don't see how she will ever have a good quality of life even after the box rest. With an injury so severe she is unlikely to ever be sound and will be a field ornament in pain for the rest of her life.
 
I had a v talented show jumper, who was also a lunatic, that cracked his pastern and was on box rest for six months. He came through it looking fab ( D&H convalescent mix, did the trick, as far as I remember) and he was no loonier after. Lots of toys and fussing is essential. However I also know a v quiet, mediocre gelding who has had 6 months box rest due to tendon injury, and I think it has sent him loopy. Depends entirely on temperament, and sadly finances. If its a mare, and v well bred its a different story. I personally think the majority of horses will cope in the long term. They are more resilient than we can imagine... otherwise not many of those top jumpers would carry on doing it!
 
Stephen has asked me to post a reply on his behalf
On a personal note I have no experience of long term rest but do remember Cuffey badly over-reaching XC and being very fit at the time having box rest for a few weeks and really being very good, it was lambing time so lots of comings and goings and he could see his pals in the field. So company--taking a book/paperwork and sitting with them, toys etc sure it can be done but as above does depend on temperament.

''Thank you all for your replies to my call for help. All advice is much appreciated, whatever it may be.


Please be assured that our attempt at saving Divinitas' life is only being considered because of a fair chance of good recovery maintaining a life to be well led without handicap and further suffering. All veterinarians consulted and many breeders having had horses with similiar injuries have reassured us that this is not only possible but very likely. The key to recovery is time and rest for the tendon to attach firmly to the bone.


With advice coming in from all parts of the world, we are constructing a plan of making Divinitas' reconvalescence as easy to bear for her as possible. Strategies of calming surroundings, including the company of older and experienced horses nearby are being planned by considering your advice while I am writing this.


We will not carry through with it at all cost. Divinitas' well-being of body and mind is of highest priority in all considerations. Re-evaluation of her situation as she proceeds will accompany the process of her desired recovery.


She is a horse of keen air, refined, intelligent and in every sense the noble creature any breeder, owner and rider would wish for. She is indeed well bred. Not only have both sire and dam achieved elite status in their breeding programs - even without this being the case, she is well loved by anyone who has ever met her. In the course of my work, I have met scores of horses, and very seldom have I encountered what you might call her trademark feature: an amiabilty that sweetens the air around her and that is an invitation of affection to anyone who is near her.


I will never put her through an unbearable ordeal for selfish reasons. At the moment, reports of horses having well recovered from similar injuries encourage us to give this very special creature the chance she has deserved. Had the extent of the injury been visible when it happened, she might very well never have been brought in for surgery, but now she is standing in her box at the clinic, her leg in a cast - attentive and, for all we can tell, in good spirits, not overcome by pain and suffering. This is the situation we have to cope with at present, and anyone involved is devoted to her recovery. But we will never push Divinitas too far. This I promise her and those who are concerned for her well-being.


Thank you again for your advice and kind words that have been warmly received.


Grateful regards,
Stephen.''
 
I'm afraid I've no advice to offer, although I too would not consider cross tying for nine months; but what a lovely reply from Stephen. I hope that the mare makes a full recovery without too much stress, it sounds as if she is being managed with compassion at any rate. Good luck for the future with her.
 
Cuffey said:
Stephen has asked me to post a reply on his behalf
On a personal note I have no experience of long term rest but do remember Cuffey badly over-reaching XC and being very fit at the time having box rest for a few weeks and really being very good, it was lambing time so lots of comings and goings and he could see his pals in the field. So company--taking a book/paperwork and sitting with them, toys etc sure it can be done but as above does depend on temperament.

''Thank you all for your replies to my call for help. All advice is much appreciated, whatever it may be.

Grateful regards,
Stephen.''
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Stephen

In 1997 my horse Biggles who was 14 at the time suffered a terrible laceration to his fetlock joint following a fall into a ditch on a fun ride. Something in the ditch penetrated the fetlock joint causing two tendons to be totally severed. I was told that these were the extensor tendons and that horses that suffered this injury could go on to have much the same life as they had before as an extensor tendon injury was not considered as bad as a flexor tendon injury. The whole of the joint capsule on my horse was opened up by the stick or brick lying in the bottom of the ditch that caused the injury and the joint was flushed out about two hours following the injury by a vet. The horse then went to an equine hospital where the extent of the damage was assessed. The horse was seen as an excellent candidate for surgery as he was good temperered and calm. He had the first operation to flush the joint the following day and the tendons were presumably sewn up or whatever they do to them. The joint fluid was replaced and the leg placed in a cast from below the foot (shoes removed) to just below the hock encasing the whole leg. Less than a week later the horse had terrible pressure sores under the cast in the back of the fetlock area and was lame so a decision was made to give another operation (each time under GA). AFter the 2nd op the horse remained lame and it was decided to give him a third operation. All this is the space of three weeks. Another GA and another cast. The horse then went lame almost immediately following the third replacement cast despite lots of care and attention and lots of padding inside the cast as appropriate. The horse was then standing sedated in the stocks and the cast removed. It was evident that the fetlock joint had not healed and the horse then suddenly flexed the leg and what little healing had taken place was completeley ruined as the joint opened up. I received the phone call asking my permission to have Biggles pts and he was pts minutes afterwards.

So what I am saying is that the tendons are not that important or that was my understanding of the situation and had the joint healed the outcome would have been so different. As far as I am aware I was never told about 9 months box rest. If you want further info please PM me. I can't look at the PM until this evening but I will look at it then as I am at work now.

Kind regards xx
 
Where I used to work we had a race horse that fractured his cannon bone so had a cast on his front leg from the floor up to the top of his leg. I can't remember how long is was actually on but it was months. He coped incredibly well considering he was race fit.
He was crossed tied with a haylage bar right next to him and water buckets rung from the wall a a comfy height. We used to hand pick grass for him. He wasn't allowed to roam around the stable so most stable toys were no good.
Don't know if there are any herbs you could offer her that might be of use. I hope Divinitas heals well she sounds a very special horse.
 
Stephen
Only you can decide what is right for your horse as every horse is different and will cope with such a situation differently. I think you need to take each day as it comes and reassess each and every day.

My old eventer was a loss of use case at the age of eight; he endured six months box rest, seemingly fine at the time, but his personality changed afterwards - it obviously had a psychological effect that didn't manifest itself until afterwards. He is now 26 and has mellowed with age, but never returned to being the horse he once was - from the points of view of personality, ease to handle/be about and interaction with other horses.

Good luck with your horse.
 
My horse did 7 months Acp was my best friend at the time massage if you can i even read books in the stable to keep him company. I also had horse next to him that was box rested as well. He liked radio on at all times pick calm music no heavy rock its a long haul and scarey mucking out around them. I wish you luck but do you think the injury is just to bad and what life will she have will she ever be out of pain. I would want to know all this before i went a head
 
traceyann said:
My horse did 7 months Acp was my best friend at the time massage if you can i even read books in the stable to keep him company. I also had horse next to him that was box rested as well. He liked radio on at all times pick calm music no heavy rock its a long haul and scarey mucking out around them. I wish you luck but do you think the injury is just to bad and what life will she have will she ever be out of pain. I would want to know all this before i went a head
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i think maybe your horse was a very lucky pony indeed to have you Tracey ann. But seriously ,no heavy rock. None of mine could live without it.:eek:
 
Wow, I am so moved by what you have written Stephen.

I admire the belief you have in your horse, they have amazing spirits and I believe this makes them amazing healers, if they are given time, and are continually assessed to make sure they are coping.

As part of my vet chiro education, we were advised that chiropractic can really help an animal which is on long term box rest. Movement key to the health of the nervous system, especially the aspects of the nervous system that governs organ function (autonomic nervous system 'sympathetic and parasympathetics'). Because your horse won't be able to move very much it is really important that you do what you can via chiropractic and massage to keep their nervous system healthy. Chiropractic adjustments provide huge neurological stimulation, and will be a vital part of the rehab program you are looking at.

My Mum's horse, a beautiful hannovarian, tore her cruciate ligament, and had to be on box rest for months, and then had to be held out in the field after that for serveral more months whilst she got her strength back. She had her friends around her, lots of attention and love from us, and she got through it. She gave us a beautiful foal, and she was an amazing Mum, and we wouldn't have done anything any other way.

Good luck with everything.
 
I have been sent this suggestion if anyone on here has any experience of this therapy please tell Stephen--thank you

''I think that unless you have given your horse every chance you would always question if you had done enough. There is a company called Equine Health Centre in Somerset who deal in a product called Vitafloor which is for injuries such as this. Have a look at their website and speak to them to see if there is someone near to you that has one installed as it would seem to be a brilliant product for such injuries''
 
Firstly, its an extensor tendon injury so this is good, although the extensor tendons are important, they are not nearly as vitally important as the flexor tendons and suspensory apparatus. Secondly, its a hind leg which naturally lends itself to having a lack of weight on it due to the passive stay apparatus present in them. So this is also good news. Finally, I would say that as you get further on with the treatment/ box rest your vet is most likely to re-assess Divinitas and probably allow her more movement as by moving and gently straining the tendon in the way it is supposed to be used it will promote correct healing and reduce the level of scar tissue formation.

The outlook is good for her. I have seen a horse come back from severing a front superficial digital flexor tendon- the horse now hunts twice/ three times a week and lives a perfectly happy life. Keeping weight on and maintaining muscle tone in the unused side of the body is vital, as is keeping her happy. Regular interaction with other horses- maybe allow them to groom each other or "talk" to each other while she is immobilised?

Good Luck :)
 
Hi just read your sad story. My 28 year old boy had a fall on the road just before christmas and suffered major damage to the tendons on both front legs. He was immediately stabled 24 hours and had 7 weeks stood in his box. His bright outlook on life kept him going and we all thought although he wouldn't be ridden again he could retire and live out the rest of his days. Sadly last week he simply lost the will to live and stopped eating despite desperate attempts to keep him going and it was decided to put him to sleep. A heardbreaking decision for me. I think your girl will tell you if her time is right or not. Best of luck with her.
 
Update from Stephen:



"Dear friends,

I am absolutely overwhelmed by your manifold, helpful and warm response to my
call for help. Anyone who knows me also knows how important personal
correspondence is to me, but unfortunately, I am presently not yet able to
answer everyone individually who has offered me his helping hand by extending
advice and compassion.

ALL suggestions, reports and ideas will support our effort not only to save
Divinitas' life with everything we have to give - but to do it well. Her nine
months of box rest will end exactly on November 22, which is my birthday. I
have never wished more for anything than that we may see that day together and
that I may lead her out of her box into a new life that will last for as many
more years as a young horse deserves.

I have added a special page to my website for those who would like to stay
informed about Divinitas' reconvalescence. You may reach it via the following
link. Should that not work, just go to www.equidographie.de, then "AKTUELLES"
and click on Divinitas' picture. There won't be daily updates, but if you would
like to keep up with us in the next months, that's where you can do it (there
will always be an English version of each update).

http://www.equidographie.de/Equidographie/Aktuell.html

From now on, I will most certainly answer all e-mails individually again. I
hope that you will understand that I have not been able to do so in the past few
days because of the wealth of e-mails that reached me.

As alone as we felt last week facing a superhuman challenge - now there is an
army of friends gathering behind us lending us with ease the strength we need:
Encouragement has come from Germany, Britain, France, Switzerland, Norway, the
U.S., Canada and Australia. It seemed as though there was always someone awake
to be thinking of us. All of this helps immeasurably to create positive
surroundings for Divinitas.

She is holding up marvellously at the clinic. We are off to a good start and
are very proud of her.

No word, no sentence may express the amount of my gratitude for your compassion
- nonetheless:

Thank you.

Yours,
Stephen Rasche-Hilpert

p.s.:
This is a copy of an e-mail I sent to our friends around the globe. Should you
like to contact me, you can do so via my website. It's in German, but I think
you will manage alright: go to KONTAKT and click on the link in the text.

I registered at Horse&Hound to be able to send you this message without having
to trouble Cuffey any further, but for some reason I can't post. I can still
read your comments, however - and once more: to catch my attention, just send
an e-mail via my website. That should do the trick in any case
 
I am so pleased to hear this, I think Divinitas is a very lucky horse to have an owner who is so considerate if her needs. Hopefully now she will go from strength to strength.
 
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