Boggle- USA bound!

[Ahrena]

That’s the lovely paddock!! And he has a pal

 

[ycbm]

Thanks AA I agree, although I won't be in long term debt so I'm really not concerned about that. The rehab thing is something I need to do now if I'm going to try and do it, that much is clear from the vets and research. So I don't really have the luxury of deciding to do nothing until spring IF I want to try and rehab him. And I know I will try, because... everything you said really.

I just have to figure out a way to balance it all in a healthy way I think.

I did smile at your post because your right re intensity, expect Boggle is pretty much the only thing I'm intense about. I'm actually a fundamentally lazy person in pretty much every other way and aspect of life- haha!

I assume you know about putting loose chains around his ankles to increase the nerve stimulation of where his feet are? Check that out if not, it's cheap and easy. You put them on for a while then leave them off then put them back on again, so he doesn't get so used to them that his brain ignores them.
.

 

[Trouper]

He will have to get on with it- there’s only so much I can do!

Now that's a much healthier approach. Onwards and Upwards!!

 

[Trouper]

I assume you know about putting loose chains around his ankles to increase the nerve stimulation of where his feet are? Check that out if not, it's cheap and easy. You put them on for a while then leave them off then put them back on again, so he doesn't get so used to them that his brain ignores them.
.

I have this wonderful image in my mind now of Boggle sporting the latest in Pandora bracelets to go out and party over the poles.

 

[ycbm]

I have this wonderful image in my mind now of Boggle sporting the latest in Pandora bracelets to go out and party over the poles.

Fab!

 

[Cragrat]

I assume you know about putting loose chains around his ankles to increase the nerve stimulation of where his feet are? Check that out if not, it's cheap and easy. You put them on for a while then leave them off then put them back on again, so he doesn't get so used to them that his brain ignores them.
.

I'm sure I've heard of people putting just one over reach boot on, to increase awareness of a particular limb when doing poles.

Also, have you investigsted Kinesiology tape / KT tape? I was totally sceptical, until a physio put some on my shoulder. Now I'm a huge fan. There are some really good human videos you can watch for placement ideas.

 

[Noble]

I've used a cat collar with a bell on to help with spatial awareness before now, as ycbm says for short spells or else they begin to blank it.

 

[spacefaer]

I've used a cat collar with a bell on to help with spatial awareness before now, as ycbm says for short spells or else they begin to blank it.

My brilliant McTimony woman used to suggest using a curb chain around the pastern.

 

[ycbm]

My brilliant McTimony woman used to suggest using a curb chain around the pastern.

It needs to be set loose enough to flop around with every step they take. I think that weight and flat shape of chain might allow it to sit too still. I bought hardware store chain and used a small carabiner to fasten it. I also left the"tail" dangling a couple of inches to create even more sensation.
.

 

[clinkerbuilt]

These used to be much more of a thing in some parts of the world. What could we call them: fetlock bells?

 

[SEL]

An over reach boot will do the same job. I alternated between two different types so she didn't get used to the feel.

There will be k-tape practitioners in your area. I use it regularly and Bog will have the advantage of it not getting soaked by endless rain...

 

[Michen]

urgh this is not good Bog is so upset and tucked up. He’s been to a million new places and always been totally relaxed about it. I feel terrible

Totally the pig he was fine until he saw it.

 

[splashgirl45]

Give him time to get used to the pig and try not to panic… he has overcome much more than just a pig

 

[Michen]

True. Pony flies across the world and doesn’t so much as get tucked up. Yet this damn pig.

I have never ever in seven years seen him in such a total state I’m amazed he hasn’t coliced yet, frankly. Urgh.

I don’t really know what to do other than hope he gets over it.

 

[misst]

I hate to say this but you cannot micromanage everything in his surroundings for the rest of his life. He will have to suck it up. I'm not trying to be harsh but you can only do what you can do. I am sure he will settle. I do know what it is like to spend all my spare time trying to manage an environment for a difficult picky anxious horse so I understand where you are coming from. But looking at this from the outside you are likely catastrophising this. Time for a break (and I don't mean to sound harsh but some distance may help) xxx hugs.

 

[Michen]

I hate to say this but you cannot micromanage everything in his surroundings for the rest of his life. He will have to suck it up. I'm not trying to be harsh but you can only do what you can do. I am sure he will settle. I do know what it is like to spend all my spare time trying to manage an environment for a difficult picky anxious horse so I understand where you are coming from. But looking at this from the outside you are likely catastrophising this. Time for a break (and I don't mean to sound harsh but some distance may help) xxx hugs.

I am absolutely not catastrophising it sadly- he’s been literally drenched in sweat and I have no idea how long I can leave him to get over it before he colics, which is the last thing either of us need! Problem is the pig just roams around so it just re appears and sets him off again.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Have you interacted with the pig at all? Has Bog seen you interact with the pig?

 

[Michen]

Have you interacted with the pig at all? Has Bog seen you interact with the pig?

Yes and yes!

 

[teapot]

I hate to say this but you cannot micromanage everything in his surroundings for the rest of his life. He will have to suck it up. I'm not trying to be harsh but you can only do what you can do. I am sure he will settle. I do know what it is like to spend all my spare time trying to manage an environment for a difficult picky anxious horse so I understand where you are coming from. But looking at this from the outside you are likely catastrophising this. Time for a break (and I don't mean to sound harsh but some distance may help) xxx hugs.

Easier said than done though for a horse coming back from a number of health issues, and is at risk of colic too. The smell of pigs is sometimes even worse than the actual pig which is something no owner can do anything about.

I hope he settles @Michen - old job we had pigs next door which were token pets and some of the sanest school horses took a while to get used to it.

 

[Michen]

Easier said than done though for a horse coming back from a number of health issues, and is at risk of colic too. The smell of pigs is something even worse than the actual pig which is something no owner can do anything about.

I hope he settles @Michen - old job we had pigs next door which were token pets and some of the sanest school horses took a while to get used to it.

Thank you. Gah.

 

[gunnergundog]

Easier said than done though for a horse coming back from a number of health issues, and is at risk of colic too. The smell of pigs is something even worse than the actual pig which is something no owner can do anything about.

I hope he settles @Michen - old job we had pigs next door which were token pets and some of the sanest school horses took a while to get used to it.

I had one back in the 80's; just clipped it fully out and landowner bought a sow, called Ethel. Couldn't get the horse in the barn for love nor money. Tried all sorts over many weeks, including in desperation, smearing its new zealand in pig shit so that it couldn't get away from the smell, hoping it would get used to it. Probably not something that would be done today. Nothing worked and I ended up having to find somewhere else to keep him before he did himself a serious injury. Sorry, not what you want to hear I know. Fingers crossed that Bog is more sensible than mine was.

 

[YourValentine]

It took a week but my idiotic WBxTB did eventually get over the pig at a new livery yard, also free roaming. Hopefully if his friend isn't worried he'll start to chill. Could you slip him a bit of calmer to help break the mental stress cycle?

Donkeys however were Satan's spawn, never to be trusted and best runaway from at speed or of speed wasn't allowed in a sort of extended passage with much snorting.

 

[Cragrat]

The paddok, the stable, having his friend, are all so perfect, that it is definitely worth persevering with the pig. We used to keep pigs, and the horses all got to used to them in time. I'm sure Bog will get there - all the usual stuff of seeing his friend interact etc will help.

Have you tried a few doses of Valarian or something (though with Bog perhaps talk to vet first!) But if you can get him to calm down enough, he can then start thinking a bit more rationally, as much as horse can. In his current state he is locked in flight mode, and isn't able to take in new information, such as that the pig isn't eating his friend, or you, and actually might not be that bad. Sometimes you need to be able to hit a reset button.

 

[Michen]

I’m annoyed I didn’t order valerian for him to be honest. Soonest I can get it is a few days.

Ok we have progress with the pig! I’ve been feeding the pig carrots and Bog not loosing his mind at the sight of it with quite the same intensity.

 

[Boulty]

The orange Welsh that I sent to Rockley was mortally terrified of cows. Nic had several cows grazing the fields. Welsh creature spent roughly the first 3 weeks hiding behind the biggest horse he could find whenever the cows were vaguely nearby. Eventually he conceded THESE PARTICULAR COWS did not in fact eat horses. At least I didn’t actually have to watch the performance on that occasion. I had the same performance when a yard I was on years later got some small beef cows of some description. Again after a few weeks THOSE COWS became ok. New cows (esp black & white ones) still caused issues.

Weirdly when same yard also got some pigs (that used to escape on a semi regular basis) he was weirdly fine with it, poss cos the first ones he properly met weren’t much bigger than piglets and would run away from him and he then transferred this info to adult pigs. (In his mind anything significantly smaller than him that he could make run away was for chasing/ being curious about rather than being scared of including sheep, goats, peacocks, wallabies & donkeys)

 

[Michen]

The paddok, the stable, having his friend, are all so perfect, that it is definitely worth persevering with the pig. We used to keep pigs, and the horses all got to used to them in time. I'm sure Bog will get there - all the usual stuff of seeing his friend interact etc will help.

Have you tried a few doses of Valarian or something (though with Bog perhaps talk to vet first!) But if you can get him to calm down enough, he can then start thinking a bit more rationally, as much as horse can. In his current state he is locked in flight mode, and isn't able to take in new information, such as that the pig isn't eating his friend, or you, and actually might not be that bad. Sometimes you need to be able to hit a reset button.

Great advice thank you!

 

[Cragrat]

He really does look so happy there, and no wonder - it looks idyllic!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I think the more that you interact with the pig and continue to have consistent interactions with the pig (you and also Boggle just getting used to the pig being around) he'll settle a bit. Especially with the help of some herbal remedy

 

[asmp]

i love the stables with an outside area. We had them at a yard i was at in Germany, although mine was concrete.

 

[Red-1]

i love the stables with an outside area. We had them at a yard i was at in Germany, although mine was concrete.

It was after spending time in Colorado and seeing these that I converted the back windows of my stables into doors and gave mine a run at the back. They love the choice and Rigs stopped getting swollen cankles overnight! It wasn't that expensive either, as the lintel was already there for the window.