Best calmer for horse returning to turnout after 10 months box rest

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katiehogan19

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My horse is a recovering laminitic with EMS and has been on box rest for 10 months. He is now allowed 2hrs turnout and 45min hacks.
Very understandably, he finds going out in the field very exciting and gallops around and skids a lot and I am just concerned he is going to hurt himself.

Can anyone recommend a calmer that had helped in a similar situation to just take the edge off please?

I have tried sedalin, D&H Placid, global herbs supercalm and premier performance calming powder throughout his box rest and when he started to be able to do in hand walks, short walking rides and now turnout, however none of these have touched him. (I have also tried nothing, which again wasn’t very successful!)
I understand what works for one, might not for another, but any suggestions and advice is appreciated, thank you very much!?
 
If he’s in real danger of further harming himself could you ask the vet for a low dose of sedalan just for turnout until he chills out a bit? Also make the area as small as you can, less space = less ability to pray about.
 
Valerian might be worth a try, though you might need to check with your vet that it's ok for EMS. If something is banned for competition horses it usually means it actually has an affect.

Someone previously posted about a special layout of fencing to create a turnout area where they can't gallop about , for just these scenarios. Might be worth googling if you have the option of setting up extra temp fencing and he's likely to respect it.
 
I wouldn't bother with calmers they won't do enough I would want him on dose of sedalin for at least the first few days, then I would slowly reduce the amount over a week.

Sedalin will work with the right dose how much were you giving him before? You also have to leave it long enough to kick in before getting them out or the adrenalin over rides it.
 
Pinkvboots said:
I wouldn't bother with calmers they won't do enough I would want him on dose of sedalin for at least the first few days, then I would slowly reduce the amount over a week.
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In my limited experience I think I'd agree that calmers won't do it if he's really wired - low dose of sedalin seems like a better idea so he can't go insane the minute he gets through the gate. Can you talk to the vet? If they know your horse they should be able to help you get the dosing right.
 
Equi said:
If he’s in real danger of further harming himself could you ask the vet for a low dose of sedalan just for turnout until he chills out a bit? Also make the area as small as you can, less space = less ability to pray about.
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Hi, thank you. Yes my vet has given us sedalin for turnout/riding which usually works to some degree but he comes out of it very easily, and he is in a small area of the field. However given him some sedalin this morning for turnout and so far so good! Think he’s getting used to going out again now so hopefully less exciting?
 
Pinkvboots said:
I wouldn't bother with calmers they won't do enough I would want him on dose of sedalin for at least the first few days, then I would slowly reduce the amount over a week.

Sedalin will work with the right dose how much were you giving him before? You also have to leave it long enough to kick in before getting them out or the adrenalin over rides it.
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Hi, thank you. I will look into both of these things?
 
Pinkvboots said:
I wouldn't bother with calmers they won't do enough I would want him on dose of sedalin for at least the first few days, then I would slowly reduce the amount over a week.

Sedalin will work with the right dose how much were you giving him before? You also have to leave it long enough to kick in before getting them out or the adrenalin over rides it.
Click to expand...
Hi, thank you. Yes I am finding that with calmers, especially in this type of situation. Sedalin definitely works better than calmers but he does come out of it very easily. But as said to someone else, given him sedalin this morning for turnout and so far so good!
My vet said to give him 4mls on the first few times, he’s left clam for at least 1hr30mins before getting him ready to go out but that didn’t seem to touch him (but obviously he was bound to be excited about going out for the first few times so understandable). Today he’s had 2 (he usually has this for riding) again 1hr30mins before getting him ready to go out, but so far so good. Think he’s getting used to going out again now?
 
HobleytheTB said:
I've found sedalin works best if they're already calm when you give it, and remain quiet whilst it takes effect - if the adrenaline is already up it doesn't seem to do anything. Could that have been a factor when you used it before?
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Hi, thank you. Yes, I always try to give it to him when he’s calm, leave him for at least 1hr30mins before getting him ready to go out. He does usually look sleepy after this time, but then as soon as he goes out he breaks though the sedation. However, given sedalin this morning and so far so good. Think his getting used to going out again now, think it was just too exciting before!?
 
Widgeon said:
In my limited experience I think I'd agree that calmers won't do it if he's really wired - low dose of sedalin seems like a better idea so he can't go insane the minute he gets through the gate. Can you talk to the vet? If they know your horse they should be able to help you get the dosing right.
Click to expand...
Hi, thank you. Yes spoke to vet and she advised sedalin but as soon as he gets to the field he usually just breaks though it. However, given sedalin this morning and so far so good! Think he getting used to going out again now and before it was just too exciting even with the sedalin!?
 
1616408501702.png This was my horse after 3 months box rest for a check ligament injury. You can't really see from the paddock but I made it about 15m x 20m and she was out for about 1 hour the first day or two gradually increasing to half a day by the end of the week. I didn't sedate her as I wasn't sure how much to give her of sedalin and it was a last minute decision as the horses were all due come in around an hour later so I wanted her out there and then when the ground conditions and weather permitted it.

I literally arrived at the yard, thought 'its now or never' and cracked on. She was fine, a few rears and bucks but the leg stood up. I do regret not sedating her but I guess I was lucky she was okay.
 
katiehogan19 said:
Hi, thank you. Yes spoke to vet and she advised sedalin but as soon as he gets to the field he usually just breaks though it. However, given sedalin this morning and so far so good! Think he getting used to going out again now and before it was just too exciting even with the sedalin!?
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I find it is totally an individual thing my 16.3 warmblood only needed 2 or 3 mls it would knock her out almost, my 15h Arab needs at least half a tube for turnout and even then he looked too bright, I never used it for riding only walking in hand which was ok but vet recommended no more than about 2mls and it's often not enough so I don't bother then.
 
My pony who box rested for the same amount of time was simply turned out. He'd been hand walking for 2 months prior.

He ran around for maybe 10 minutes then it was head down for munchies, and lots of rolling.

Strange, the video of this day was on my fb memories yesterday
 
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