Box rest and in-hand walking advice and ideas

HollyWoozle

HollyWoozle

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My Mum's horse Noah (aka Mr Spotty) had bone spavin surgery on Wednesday which went really well. He is meant to be on box rest for 3 weeks and arrived home on Friday morning.

We would really appreciate ideas on toys and things to keep him entertained. He has a likit at the minute and that's it. He is not that bright but very curious, likes to destroy things and generally cause havoc. He's a bit too slim at the moment but this is good as it's less weight on his joint and means we can feed him quite a bit to keep him quiet if necessary. So, please can I have as many ideas as possible? So far I've heard of apples in his water bucket and hanging empty plastic bottles covered in honey!

Also, when it comes to walking him in hand, I know we're going to need something fairly strong to lead him in. He's a bolshy 16hh 6 year old who has a nice nature but no manners and will drag you around. We've not had him long enough to teach him manners ourselves! I just want to make sure that we have control when we have to take him out and I'm not sure if a bridle is the best option or what.

Thanks a lot, tea and biscuits all round. :)
 
I got my wee colt a decahedron ( sp?) Ball thing that I filled with treats and they fell our when he kicked it, he loves it! Also I think it was only about 7pound so quite cheap.
 
My horse was on box rest for 8 months and he doesnt stable well at all, be got him a decahedron treat ball which he loved, we also hid carrots and sliced apple in his haynet which kept him busy for hours, cutting a hole into a Swede and hanging it is always good (if they like swede) you can do the same with apples etc :) and as for leading him out, start with short distances first as it can all be very exciting and if you have a school you can start in there, i would recommend leading in a bridle until you feel he is respecting you and its not all exciting :) good luck!
 
As above for box rest toys. In hand walking - use a bridle and wear your hat as they can explode. Im doing it at the moment with my horse and we walk round and round the stable block. Boring but not too distracting for her, if I walked her anywhere else and she saw a horse cavorting in the field, she would want to do the same.!
 
HollyWoozle said:
Also, when it comes to walking him in hand, I know we're going to need something fairly strong to lead him in. He's a bolshy 16hh 6 year old who has a nice nature but no manners and will drag you around. We've not had him long enough to teach him manners ourselves! I just want to make sure that we have control when we have to take him out and I'm not sure if a bridle is the best option or what.
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Honestly, DON'T DO IT!! It's an insanely dangerous practice with a largish, fit horse, even one with manners, and I would strongly recommend against it. I was very nearly killed (double barreled square in the face) doing just as you describe with my horse after her being in for 3 weeks, and regardless of what vets say I will never attempt it again. 2 and half years on I am still in pain 24/7 with a load of health problems - it just is not worth the risk. Small paddock turnout with a good dose of sedalin in them is a much better idea.
 
My mare was on box rest for 3 months! Twice!:eek: so I feel your pain! She took to it really well though, I found massaging her was a good way to keep her occupied, just giving her a gentle rub meant we bonded closer as well as giving her something to look forward to. Also agree with the hanging the turnip up thing, that gave her endless amusement! Do be very careful when walking out in hand tho, definitely use a bridle and if you can get some Sedalin off the vet to take the edge off.
 
Play with him, massage him, get him to do silly stuff for treats, when my horse was on box rest, I taught him to kiss, hug, shake a paw, take things off me.

I Found it's very easy to get stuck into a routine of driving to horse, mucking out, replacing haynet and water and then leaving, but that's pretty harsh if it's the only human contact he gets, but he loves attention, using his grey matter and it doesn't seem as aimless as just hanging around and giving him a cuddle.
 
I agree with Puppy too, my horse is insane to take out for a walk out after a period of box rest, the best I can hope for is hopping sideways down the lane, I've also come to expect the occasional squeal and buck, I'd try turn out in a small paddock to start, when he's had a few hours to chill, for a few days, maybe try walking then, at that size it's just not funny
 
It's tough as well because our stables open straight out to the paddock and main field, we usually just leave them open as field shelters as they all live out 24/7. This means Noah is just staring straight out into the field all day. :( There will be a pony in stable next to him (they can touch) every night and at least one of the ponies or more in the paddock right outside his stable door all day so that he'll never be alone. The stables are at home and within easy sight of the house so he can get plenty of human interaction. Both parents work from home and there are always people coming and going.

Our fields are like deserts at the mo so we're feeding a lot of hay. I have taken to putting Noah's hay right by the stable door because he likes to munch and look out, then I put hay on the other side so my horse, Belle, stands with him eating a lot of the time. We do have a hay rack for him but he doesn't want to eat from it as it means he can't see out the door!

It's an odd set up but the best we can do. My stepdad (non-horsey) built the stables himself years ago so I'm very grateful to have them.

Here is Belle keeping guard. You can just about see shetland in the end stable and there is another pony in the middle stable. We've now put up an anti-weave grill over Noah's door as he looked at first like he might try to jump out, but all is very calm now. By the way, the big main field doesn't look like the ground in this pic, this is just a small paddock area which is always bare!

227418_10150582667265203_508425202_18143151_4647897_n.jpg
 
i agree ,restricted paddock turnout,can be stable sized, sedalin and i use a bridle, gloves and hat.
also be sensible re weather conditions.
mine is meant to walk daily but in high winds i will just bring her in from her paddock
.being outside tends to keep them more sane.
 
just seen your photo and that is the perfect set up and the very reason i am having new mobile stables set up in my field so that in the future event of any more box rest they can see each other. i think youll be fine .
 
Thanks debsflo. :)

He really likes just being with people so I'll encourage my Mum to spend quite a bit of time with him and I will try to do the same. I think I might also hang a ball for him and a swede or a turnip like people have suggested, though I think he'll destroy them rather quickly!
 
If you do decide to lead out bearing in mind the accident as said above. You should use a bridle and a lunge line as you would have a bit more control that way.
 
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