bored pony on box rest

[trewollack]

my 13.2hh welsh C has recently been diagnosed with mild laminitis. We have been told to keep him in box rest for one month

the problem is he is a very demanding boy who doesnt like being bored!! he has taken to rearing and bucking when his food is being made
and ideas to keep him occupied as he has only been in for a week and has another three to go!!!

 

[lensmith7]

I'll be watching this post with interest as Josie will be in for 8 weeks after her op.

 

[rubyrumba]

Put apples in the water, he will have fun trying to get them out!

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Have a search on Brightsyde's posts - she had a very bored little girl in and there was lots of suggestions which seemed to do the trick - even put piccy's in PG showing some of the toys!!

When my cob was in for 8 weeks - no moving at all - for lami I spent hours picking cleavers, nettles, cow parsley etc for her to have a munch on to break up her day. Is a bit harder when they are lami as most of the distractions involve food!

 

[Racing_Gal]

We have full water bottles hung on bale string from the celling, they spend ages knocking them about. Apple in the water is a good one, in the past I have drilled a hole through the middle of a swede and hung that from the celling, that worked a treat! We've got a few in atm, we got them a Horslyx Lick each yesterday and that kept them quite for a long time, they must be very tasty!

Good luck, I hope pony is better soon! x

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Don't give your pony horse lyx - it has lami and shouldn't be having anything like molasses. Have a look on the Laminitis Clinic website for info and tips - if necessary call them as they are very helpful and are used to dealing with bored horse/ponies. Please think carefully before giving them any kind of food treat/boredom buster - you may in advertently make the lami worse.

 

[Dizzyblonde99]

Okay dokey heres a few:
A hanging turnip To die for

A treats ball
Licket ball refilled with ice lolly pop type thing
Ice with bits of fruit like a looly instead of lickits
Simpley hanging tennis ball
Sticks!! horses actually find them intresting with a few leaves on, it enocourages there minds to
If you use hay nets one with smaller holes lasts longer

If your able you can use a big inflatable ball and try foot ball so much fun

But what I've heard works well is a mirror!!

Hope they help
x

 

[hoggedmane]

radio

 

[trewollack]

thanks everyone

apples in water sound like a good idea, we've been giving him dried nettles, which he LOVES!!!
We have rung the laminitis clinic, they were VERY useful and I would recommend it to anyone

 

[kellyeaton]

have you tried global herbs instant calmer just to take edge of him?