Box rest - definition

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Do you think that Grace would be able to be tied up outside her stable with a net while I muck out every day?

She is on box rest for 6-8 weeks, and I have never had a horse on complete box rest before now.
 
When mine was on box rest I was allowed to walk her out in-hand to the field (2 seconds from her stable) and let her graze for as long as I wanted. Only because she was such a pig, she'd stand still! After a week or so I was allowed to put her in a small pen for a few hours a day (not the thing to do for a horse with a torn tendon, but we didn't know it was that for 2 and a half months). If in doubt ask your vet, but if you can't muck out round her and she's sensible tied up, I'm sure she'll be fine.
 
I am sure this would be fine just so long as she wont jump about when you bring her out of her stable or burst free and run for it lol
 
When my horse was on Boxrest Sven told me I could leave her in a stable and combine it with turning her out in a pen 14ft by 14ft so she had a change of scenery while I mucked out
 
She is happy being tied up outside as long as she has a net... I am just worried about tossing her bed up when she is in as it can be a bit dusty. Plus I thought it would be good for her mind just coming out for 15 mins while I put her bed down for her.
 
My neddy just went on box rest yesterday for a week.. she is allowed to be tied up outside the box on the flat, but not allowed accross the yard for walkies as the main yard is stoney and she has brused her sole, however she also might have lamanitis or an abcesse (sorry cant spell) fingers crossed its just the brused sole and not the latter ... only time will tell. Have been making stable toys for her tonight out of veggies.. lol what fun!
 
mine is meant to be on box/pen rest, but he is now out in a small flat field being calm as am fed up with the vet not giving a stuff about him.

However, I am of the opinion that if the horse is in due to severe trauma and needs to be static ie break, massive injury or severe lameness then to muck out around but that if the horse is in a recovering state ie boxrest purely to avoid aggravating the condition then we move the horse into a diff stable to muck out, or tie on the yard with a haynet for a while. If the vet has said to ex. in hand then we will take them for a pick of grass.
 
Provided you don't turn her sharply she will be fine. We always move ours between two stables as it gives them some interest and different views.
Box rest can mean a small pen within a paddock provided you are positive she will graze and stand quietly, not tazz around. We have successfully pen rested several horses, though after a few months they get livelier..
You might find it easier to swap stables so you muck out one, then move her into the other one each day..
 
I don't have another one to swap her into unfortunately... so it would have to be tied up outside. Hannah will be in hers as only out on alternate days. I will check with Peter tomorrow, but thought I would see what others did in this situation.
 
I've had horses on extended box, and indeed Patches is currently on box rest.

I have a spare stable and always put her into the spare stable whilst I skip out. I've also been known to just keep a day bed in the other stable, just a scattering of shavings. In the evening I'd pop her back to her proper stable with her normal bed in it. Gives them a change of scenery.

I have also tied up outside before, but if you think she might drag you about after a couple of weeks when she's had enough of being in, that might not be wise.
 
I thought if I got her in a routine of being tied up and having her net (which she is in anyway as do it every morning) it would give her a bit of a change twice a day even if it is just for 15 minutes. I guess I'll just have to see how she gets on after the first few weeks
blush.gif
Although I think the first week is always the worst one from watching others that have been on box rest.
 
Have had a horse on complete box rest when it wasn't even allowed out of stable(bad leg injury) but vet specifically told me this.All the other times they could be tied outside box or short walks.
 
You need to ask your vet his definition of box rest. Dolly was on box rest for a month but had to be taken 2-3 times a day for a 5 minute walk. After a month, she was allowed out on a very flat piece of ground which is about 8m x 15m during the day - mainly because she was getting awful stable leg staying in.
 
Personally I wouldn't - unless you are absolutely sure that she won't have a hissy fit and bugger off.

When Amy was on box rest for three months I'm afraid that's were she stayed. For her safety as much as anything else.
 
She is quite a chilled out horse if she has a net... If she starts being a pain I can always stop doing it. She is more stessy ridden than anything else. But I have to say, I am not looking forwards to the walking in hand bit as she squeals when she is hyper.
 
I have been tying up outside as due to his dust allergy I don't dare disturb the bed too much whilst he is in the stable. Mind you it is literally 2 paces away from the stable entrance and he doesn't move at all when he is tied up. I do think it completely depends on the horse and how bad the injury is though. When P had laminitis last time I couldn't move him at all.
 
I agree.

They do seem to resign themselves to the fact that they're not going out after a week or so.

I'm with you though, it's nice for them to stand outside and feel some breeze and have a general nose around whilst you skip out.
 
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