box rest= walking out in hand nightmare!!

[clairefeekerry1]

my horse is currently 3 weeks in to a 8 week box rest stint (no option really on this, its his best shot of healing) he's generally been very good as normal however walking him out in hand is becoming increasingly challenging. i'm allowed to walk him out in straight line for 15 mins each day and whilst he's not out of controll as such he has started to bunny hop and mini rear mixed in with a bit of bouncing around on the end of the rope with alot of snake head added in for good measure. he's quite young and a very playful boy anyway so cant really blame him but its getting worse. currently lead him in a bridle with a lunge rope threaded thru the bit. dont think he's looking to take off or anything and he's certinaly not strong, its more an upwards explosion. i usually just give him a growl and a tug but as he's getting worse i'm worried that i wont be able to walk him out anymore. hesitant about putting a chiffney on as he really isn't strong and they are not hand stand rears its more the sudden outbusts that bother me?!! any tips??

 

[Laafet]

When any of ours have had to have box rest and limited hand walking we've just resorted to Sedalin, safest option for all!

 

[glenruby]

Have a chat with your vet about the options. Sedalin might be an idea but its not really ideal for daily use over such a long period. There is a new product on the market for horses ( i think it may be available for small animals for a while now) - zylkene. I havent any personal experience of it but it may take the edge off your boy and make him a bit more manageable.

 

[eggs]

Another vote for sedation. Ask your vet for some Sedalin.

 

[Puppy]

any tips??

Yes, don't do it!!!!!

My normally angelic horse very nearly killed me by catching me (double barreled!) in the face, when I was walking her in hand after only 3 weeks of boxrest. Nearly two years on I still suffer as a result, and it has changed my life (& face) immensely.

I now feel it is a terribly stupid and dangerous idea, and I would never do it again, (regardless of what vets say) and strongly recommend others not to.

This might sound dramatic, and it's very easy to think when you consider your own horse that they'd never do anything like that to you - trust me, I would have said the same.

I don't know what your horse is resting for, but I would talk to your vet about the possibility of using sedation and small paddock turn out.

 

[Holly Hocks]

I've no tips sorry, but I can sympathise. I'm currently walking my mare out after two months box rest.....the first few days I only went a couple of hundred yards, but we're now up to about half an hour. She seems to have got quieter now she knows what we're doing and where we're going. I stick to the same route so that there isn't anything exciting or new and I make sure that if she gives any indication of farting about that I keep her moving forwards. Good luck!

 

[Holly Hocks]

Oh, and I always wear my riding hat and hi viz jacket....

 

[martlin]

There is a sedative injection available that takes the edge off them, it lasts for 3 to 4 weeks - ask your vet about it.

 

[Jinete12]

Don't do it if he's that bad! My mare was on box rest for 10 months and towards the end when she was allowed to be walked out, she understandably got her knickers in a terrible knot and ended up flat on her side - very frightening seeing as she was being box rested for a broken leg. We got round it by taping off a small section of a barn that she could walk up and down in. I took some treats with me each time and she just calmly followed me up and down to get the treats. Good luck - at least you don't have too much longer to go!

 

[mae]

Is there anyone who can help you walk him? Just for an extra pair of hands when needed.
Have you tried reins over head rather than a lunge rein? Maybe they would be easier to use.
When my horse was on box rest I resorted to bribing him with a carrot in front of his nose and it seemed to get his attention and encouraged him to walk nicely rather then trying to charge off and leap in the air. Of course this may not be possible if your horse has his intake of treats restricted.

 

[Balibee]

My gelding was on box rest last year after ripping his chest open on a fence post.

When I was able to hand graze him, we put him on sedalin ( 2.5 ml 2 x daily) It made it so much safer for both of us.

It is horrid having a horse on box rest, particularly if they don't like being in. Sympathies with you as I know how stressful it is .

 

[clairefeekerry1]

oh cool, didnt know i could use a mild sed as a daily thing, and yes i will use treats from now on as they are not restricted. it doesnt fee like he's going to p off or anything its more literally an upwards explosion, but not really a proper rear its more just like all four feet of the floor type of thing. i will also try just going the same route so its not that exciting. doesnt help that it seems to be getting windy as well and there are lots of dog walkers in the distance which seem to set him off!

 

[oscarwild]

Last year my horse was on boxrest for 4 months and was just handleable to get out to field first day. Next day YO changed fields and I ended up getting decked miles away from stables as he was bouncing like a loony. Wish I thought of sedalin at that time,

This year he was on boxrest for 3 weeks and as swellings wtc got worse vet advised me to take him out and turn him out or walk out in hand to see if swellin would go down. He went nuts and had to be brought back in. He then went downhill and vet had to come out and sedate him so we could get him outside.

So talk to your vets and they will sort it out for you

 

[Allover]

In the same situation with one of mine at the mo, touch wood he is being very good so far, just the odd explosion but he settles really quickly. I think it helps to get them in a routine, walk them in the same places etc and try and stay very calm (not easy i know!!). It is a bloody dnagerous time to be handling them and really if you are in any doubt get some sedalin. I also use a lunge line through the bit, i feel that reins would be too short.

Good luck

 

[splashgirl45]

mine had a bad injury on her hindquarters and was stitched and vet said she was not to jump about and buck under any circumstances, but she had to be walked in hand for 5 mins or so at least 5 times a day. dont you just love vets!!!! anyway i walked her round the yard ,it was really boring for both of us but it did keep her calm. it may work for you if you do lots of short walks rather than one long one... good luck

 

[debsflo]

my normally placid mare has been on paddock rest stable size for the last 10 weeks and she has done this with me a couple of times and agree its scary .having had a horse on box rest i think most horses would struggle to contain their energy .is it worth asking if they would let your horse have very very small box sized turnout as it seems to help ,otherwise agree with hard hat body protector ,lunge line and sedative possibly put on a calmer too to take the edge off.