Advice on feeding a horse on box rest.

[Foxfolly]

As title....

Our 4yo 17hh plus Hanovarian x cob has to be box rested for at least 4 weeks.

He lost some condition when he had his nasty reaction to fly bites, so he needs to put on condition. He's not skin and bone by any stretch of the imagination.. but he does look a little bit on the light side.

... BUT.....

He is huge and young and we really don't want to overfeed as he would be a prime candidate for a growth realated OCD!!

So please can anyone advise what to feed so we don't end up with another growth spurt potentially causing OCD!!

 

[TGM]

Most importantly I would make sure he has good quality hay available at all times - will help keep the weight on and will keep him occupied. You might find that as he is not working that adlib hay is all he needs, but if not you could add something like Alfa A, Alfa A Oil or AlfaBeet/FibreBeet with a vit/min supplement. Alternatively, if you want to feed a complete compound feed, you could give him some form of fibre cubes instead, perhaps fed from a feedball to keep him occupied for longer.

 

[tikino]

my horse was on box rest for 12 weeks after after surgery and i felt she was loosing condition so i fed her chaff and fibre nuts this seemed to help put the condition back on her with blowing her mind and there is no worry with to much protient in the diet . i also fed her good quality haylage adlib hope this helps

 

[ribena73]

My TB mare is on box rest and I agree with the others, plenty of good quality hay (although I find that two big haynets a day is enough). I also fed mine alfaA oil mixed with speedybeet (as speedybeet is good for disgusing the tendoneaze supplement that she is on as its very smelly!), but she went off alpha A and she's actually now on happy hoof, mainly cos thats what I had in for the kids pony and so tried if after she turned her nose up at the apha oil! BEfore the box rest I had her on conditioning cubes because she was in a right state when I got her (she started box rest 2 weeks afer she arrived) but to be honest she is looking great just on the hay / speedybeet / happy hoof combination. I also supplement her with vits as I was worried about the lack of vits in the hay compared to fresh grass.

Also, a snack ball is great for keeping them entertained if they can work out how to use it. My kids section A thinks he must put his nose through the hole so stands there trying to usck up the treats through his nostrils!

 

[Tamski]

My boy is on box rest and he's currently being fed:

2kg of Winergy Senior (he's only 8 but apparently the live yeast in it aids digestion)

Ad lib hay

1 section of haylage (just to add interest)

4 scoops of hi fi lite

This is what was recommended by Spillers- their nutritionist is very helpful. He's been very happy and chilled out- much better than normal! It may be worth giving them a call as they will be able to recommend the best things for his age and condition.

Hope this helps

 

[Foxfolly]

Great thanks everyone for the advice.

He is fortunate that he has a mate next door and 4 piglets that (until OH fixes the rail) keep coming into his stable to keep him company... they sleep in there at night and run around underneath him, he really is so laid back he doen't care... I'm going to try to get some piccies later as it really is quite funny!!

 

[Scarlett1980]

I'd second the winergy suggestion. i think the senior is low calorie so might not be enough for your boy but the growth is fantastic for improving condition safely without blowing their brains. it's only 5% starch (half lami trust approved High Fibre Cubes!) and completely balanced. also designed to help them take longer to eat so would keep him occupied for longer.

i can't say enough positive things about it - would give them a ring.

hope he gets better soon x

 

[ajf]

Ab lib hay or haylage in a small holed haynet (takes longer to eat so their occupied) unless he starts to look skinny. I also start them on a multi-vit supplement especially if there not used to being in. Your chap sound pretty happy bout it all though and I wanna see the piggy pics!!! My chap hated the pigs we had. The pigs knew it but would sleep/scratch under his door until one-day they grew big enough for him to reach, never heard them squeal like that and his tail wouldn't curl properley after that!!!!

 

[imafluffybunny]

I feed safe and sound to my big WB, as well as as much hay as he can eat, he has kept really good condition on just this. Unfortunatley we seem to be going from one injury to the next so are constantly on box rest!