Box rest boredom and tendon damage within the hoof

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steph2479

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My mare has just been diagnosed with suspected damage to the deep digital flexor tendon in the foot, and is on 6 weeks initial box rest before an MRI if she's still unsound. This is complicated by kissing spine and DJD in both hocks which needs medicating. It's day two and she is stropping already - I'm not concerned about her becoming difficult, she has been with me all her life and is impeccably mannered, but she is in a very quiet yard and is understandably bored!
I have done a "rota" to make sure there is always another horse nearby, but was wondering if anyone had any tricks or ideas to keep her occupied?
And also if anyone has experience with tendon damage in the foot and what their experiences were?
Ta!
 
Hi there, my mare had a tear to her DDFT within her hoof 3yrs ago now. She was on box rest after the usual nerve blocks etc. She went to have an MRI scan and that was very precise in the diagnosis of the lameness. After having to have wedges inserted between her wedge shoe and hoof, she had to stay completely within her stable. Her wedges were lowered over a period of 6 weeks or so and we progressed to handwalking 3 times per day for a time, then ridden work hacking out but stabled - it was winter time and she wasnt allowed out in the slippery muddy fields. She had egg bar shoes on and these stayed on for about a year, she is in normal shoes now.

When she had the MRI it also showed that her naviclar bursa was inflamed and so a steroid was injected into that area. The first time the injection only lasted 3 months, she had to have it re-done and has stayed sound ever since. She is still sound now though not in heavy work and doesnt go in an arena anymore - my choice - we just hack out. I have another horse who I do more on and its not necessary to put any pressure on my mare, especially as she is now 17yrs old. Its a long hard slog, lots of roadwork in walk, but it was so very worth it and I adore my mare.


Unfortunately I have no tips for box rest boredom, my horse loved her stable. She was happy so long as she was munching!
 
steph2479 said:
My mare has just been diagnosed with suspected damage to the deep digital flexor tendon in the foot, and is on 6 weeks initial box rest before an MRI if she's still unsound. This is complicated by kissing spine and DJD in both hocks which needs medicating. It's day two and she is stropping already - I'm not concerned about her becoming difficult, she has been with me all her life and is impeccably mannered, but she is in a very quiet yard and is understandably bored!
I have done a "rota" to make sure there is always another horse nearby, but was wondering if anyone had any tricks or ideas to keep her occupied?
And also if anyone has experience with tendon damage in the foot and what their experiences were?
Ta!
Click to expand...

Box rest doesn't have to be the only treatment option.

You could contact Nic and have a chat?

She has a fair bit of experience with DDFT ;) :D

http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/horses-never-stop-trying-to-grow-best.html

Insurance covers her under alternative treatment.
 
Rockley Farm rehab yard has now cured the majority and markedly improved the rest of more than 50 horses with soft tissue damage within the foot and not one of them has ever been box rested*. You might like to check their blog rockleyfarm.blogspot.com for details.



*with the exception of Paddy who was box rested after surgery for colic.
 
My very easily bored pony was on box rest- She tore her ddft at distal medial margin which was just outside the hoof I think... cut a long story short she had a nasty injury (the vet said) and now shes back 110% xc over 3'3 (14.2hh!) and galloping around the countryside - when the ground suits! :)

For box rest boredom..

-Lots of hay, double soaked so she could have as much as she liked without getting fat! in haylage nets

-Mirror up so she could look at herself, she didn't bother with it but two other horses i've known/had have stared at it for ages !

-I hung stinging nettles up from the cieling and in bunches in the corner to nibble at

-A trickle ball, she will not be stabled without one now and neighs at me until I fill it up! by far her favourite thing ever, I put a balancer and happy hoof in for her vitamins etc plus pony nuts for the daytime to tide her over

-Licks are good, with restrictors on

-Carrots buried in the bed to dig out and find

-Open and closing windows at different times and regular fuss to occupy her mind

will post more if i think of any more :) should have seen her stable the day she came back from the vets!

I had to turn her out in the end as she was getting silly after 6 weeks, and I NEVER thought she'd come sound because her daily inhand walks were never walks, she would rear up and gallop off buted up leaping in the air, twisting, turning at full pelt :O not only that but on Ice as it was january! so she was put out in a small pen, shoes came off asap too so her hooves could absorb impact rather than tendons. Oh and she has MSM supplement every day now plus a mobility lick and had lots of supplements in her during the recovery
 
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I found being allowed to graze (in hand) whilst her stable was being attended to followed by an appearance from the Nut Ball once back in the stable were the best ways I could ensure my mare's cooperation. So much so, I was actually able to get to the stage where she could be trusted to graze quietly out in the field with her companion whilst I mucked her out in the mornings and then would come to the gate when called to return to the Nut Ball and a clean stable...

I know it seems silly, but the grass appeared to be very important to her - if she was allowed a bit of that every day then she would do as I asked.
 
Thanks everyone, some great ideas there! PennyJ my girl is also living for her in hand grazing already - good job we have a nice big patch of grass outside the stable!
She does seem to quite like 'apple bobbing' in her water, I did think about a mirror but being a bit of a special chestnut mare I think she might just be terrified of it! IzzWizz its good to know your girl is recovering well - all I want is for my baby to be comfortable and be able to cope with some happy hacking. She has been with me since a 2 year old, but retired from competition when diagnosed with kissing spine aged 7 (she's now 11) and has been taking it easy for a few years. Especially with the hock issues we have now aswell I'm being realistic about what we are aiming for - as long as she is comfortable and happy that's all I care about!
 
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