Best Strategy for Turning out Hyper TB after Box Rest?

P

PercyMum

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 June 2010
Messages
775
Visit site
3 weeks box rest complete - yippee!!

4yo TB mare is now completely bonkers and I am terrified of turning her out- she stands bucking in her box when anything else goes past her atm. I think its mostly that she is quite bright and is just very very bored, despite having every stable toy known to mankind to try and amuse her:rolleyes:. I have some Sedalin, which I know works on her. Plan is to give her a little bit of Sedalin, then to work her on the lunge to get some of the fizz out of her, then turn her out with boots on after a smidge more Sedalin. There will be horses on one side of her buit not in her field. Then I will put my other horse in with her once she has clamed down.

Any other ideas? I have had other horses go out after box rest but none as wired as her!! I just have this horrid vision of her rocketting off across the field, tripping over and injuring herself badly, or worse.
 
Personally I'd put her out with her field mate. She's far less likely to get wound up if she has company.
 
I used sedalin on mine after box rest. I gave him prob too much but he wandered to field like a lamb and by time it wore off he was already out and eating so didn't run wild like usual. Your idea sounds good.
 
amymay said:
Personally I'd put her out with her field mate. She's far less likely to get wound up if she has company.
Click to expand...

I wondered that as well but the last thing I need is 2 injured horses as he is quite clumsy and likely to fall over if he trys to race round with her. I think I am getting myself wound up about nothing but I just have that horrid feeling :eek:
 
Agree, sedaline, then out with calm field mate. I'd give all the sedalin in one go, otherwise if she gets silly lunging the second dose won't have much effect.
 
Definetly give a bit of sedalin. I even gave it to my normally calm horse after he had 3 months box rest. Makes the whole experience a lot less stressful :)
 
I would give as much sedalin as your vet allows, make sure she's reasonably calm when you give or it won't work, givem it 30 mins to take effecrt and turn her out with her companion.

My mare had a hefty dose of sedalin and was so pleased to get some grass after 8 weeks box rest she just stuck her head down and munched away oblivious of her surroundings. I'm not sure the lunging will help much, if she's going to go bananas she's just as likely to do it on the lunge and still hurt herself!

I'm not exactly sure how sedalin works but if your horse is calm it makes it calmer but if you give it to an already excited horse it just makes it more excited, so if lunging is causing excitement, giving sedalin won't calm things down.
 
Last edited:
amymay said:
Hey, only my opinion. OP has to do what she thinks is right for her and the horse:D
Click to expand...

TBF I agree that going out with my other horse would keep her calmer - if only my other horse wasnt the most accident-prone and doziest thing on four legs!! :D

Sedalin it is then, thanks chaps - wish me luck! And I will mostly be wearing a hard hat AND back protector to turn her out....
 
PercyMum said:
TBF I agree that going out with my other horse would keep her calmer - if only my other horse wasnt the most accident-prone and doziest thing on four legs!! :D

Sedalin it is then, thanks chaps - wish me luck! And I will mostly be wearing a hard hat AND back protector to turn her out....
Click to expand...

If you are worried - make sure you take the leadrope off before you go through the gate - just threading the non buckle end through the headcollar for quick release.
 
A few years ago one of my youngsters was on box rest all winter with a companion of the same age.

When the time came for them to be turned out I discussed with the vet the options and she gave me Sedalin for both of them.

I gave them a dose each and twenty minutes later led them out to the field. They were very docile and went into the field with the others and started grazing straight away.
Even when the drug had worn off there was no messing about from either of them.
 
I'd have as much sedalin in as you vet allows given when she is calm for maximum effect, I would turn out on own to start (just because if woozy she may not react quick enough to get out of the way of flying legs), I would also make sure she is very hungary when she goes out - don't give brekkie in stable, less hay overnight etc - then pop her hay & feed rations in field.
 
I agree with only giving them a handful of breakfast so that they are hungry when they go out. I put hay out in the field when I turn mine out for the first time and depending on their nature either some sedalin or some acp. By the time it has worn off they have forgotton about going mad.
 
When my lad came off 6 mnths box rest, I hand grazed him for a couple of days before turning out. When the day came I took him to the field with a quiet field mate, and hand grazed for about 1/2 hr before I let him go. He did have a buck and short canter round, then settled....

Your mare sounds a bit more 'wired' than mine was but if sedalin will take the edge off her, and you lunge prior to turnout as well, hand grazing still may be an option.

Good luck as know how nervewracking it is, especailly as you don't want to undo all the good the box rest has done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top