Can I make box rest any more enjoyable?

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lensmith7

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It's a josie post again!!!

She's really flat. Not poor or anything just flat. Went down his morning and she was layed down and just well, down.

Nothing wrong with her as such, I just think she's missing her life.

She's normally very active, schooling, hacking, sponsered rides, shows. normally we struggle to catch our breath through the summer, now, nothing.

Her coat is flat, and dull, no matter how much I groom, her mane is flaky and dry and has fallen out in tuffts.

Is there anything I can do to make it more enjoyable for her?

She has a treat ball, and adlib hay, has a bucket of ready grass.

She's also been on and still on loads of antibiotics so was thinking of giving her pink powder or something like that as a pick me up?

I'm lucky she's quiet on box rest, and is healing well, and walking out beautifully.

I just feel so sorry for her
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I think the most you can do is just spend as much time as possible with her...grooming/faffing about/picking grass etc.

Just remember its only a few weeks/months out of her life...I do think its actually harder for us than it is them.
 
have you tried the uncle johns hanging balls or likits,

hanging balls more natural has molases though but my man loves these and you donnot hear a sound just licking away.

hehe good luck x
 
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Just remember its only a few weeks/months out of her life...I do think its actually harder for us than it is them.

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You're spot on there! I tie her on the yard with mate as much as I can, and spent all my spare time with her.

We had a strong bond before, but my goodness it's grown. i'm her world, and I know that. there's only so much time I can spend with her though.

as I say I'm lucky she's being good, *touch wood* I haven't a moments problem with her at all. She's a diamond x
 
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have you tried the uncle johns hanging balls or likits,

hanging balls more natural has molases though but my man loves these and you donnot hear a sound just licking away.

hehe good luck x

[/ QUOTE ]

She goes hyper on lickits, she's very sensitive arab x. Do you think the hanging balls would have the same effect?
 
Spend as much time with her as possible - grooming, or give her a massage. I used to play carrot games with mine making him stretch his head round to the side, down between his legs, up in the air, to get a treat. You have to cut the carrots small to last long enough! It helps to keep them flexible even though they can't move much.

Take her for a walk for some grass if you can (I gave this up as mine got too excited at the thought, and used to drag me over to the verge the moment I opened his door). Or leave her outside if she will tie up calmly so she can watch stuff going on.

Another thing I think is important and hopefully not hippyish nonsense. I think if you mope over animals... 'poor baby, feeling all down'... they pick up the vibes. I don't think they understand sympathy as such - they just reflect your mood. Try to be upbeat around her, talk in a chatty way, play loud music, tell her jokes... whatever sounds cheerful and positive!

I used to sit in my horse's stable to make phone calls - he probably thought I was talking a lot of nonsense but it's something to listen to and have a cuddle at the same time.

Maybe a mirror would help?

Good luck!
 
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Another thing I think is important and hopefully not hippyish nonsense. I think if you mope over animals... 'poor baby, feeling all down'... they pick up the vibes. I don't think they understand sympathy as such - they just reflect your mood. Try to be upbeat around her, talk in a chatty way, play loud music, tell her jokes... whatever sounds cheerful and positive!
Good luck!

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I competely agree, tis why I thought i'd take some action now rather than feeling sorry for her. She's not kicking up a fuss, even when the others go out. Which is good. But so not like her, she's a feisty madam really
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My OH drilled holes in turnips and we hung these up around the stable. Also, put an apple in her water bucket...some horses will apple-bob for fun.

Loads of grooming/petting/massage etc

Its a pain, box-rest- but somehow you get to the end of it.

Chin up
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
have you tried the uncle johns hanging balls or likits,

hanging balls more natural has molases though but my man loves these and you donnot hear a sound just licking away.

hehe good luck x

[/ QUOTE ]

She goes hyper on lickits, she's very sensitive arab x. Do you think the hanging balls would have the same effect?

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well im not sure my horse does not have this effect but it is just like a big ball of feed mix with slight molasis init so not full of sugar. and i last for about 3 months.x
 
She sounds adorable...in fact I know she is cos I remember her from before when she had Denver
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What is she bedded down on? I find straw good for box rest as they can browse on it and you can hide bits and bobs of treats ie carrots in it to keep her occupied. When my shettie was on box rest I tied a tyre up in his box for him to scratch on, beat up or play with plus I put bits of veg in it.
How about a mirror?
 
Toys for box rest
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Plastic bottles half filled with stones and tied suitably highly and safely - lovely to play with;

Turnips tied up;

Big log/s with bits that ned can nibble on;

Large football;

There's an itchy pad thing that you attach to the wall of the stable, good for scratching;

Stable mirror;

Different chaffs in buckets/piles round the stable;

Hidden carrots/apples/pony nuts.
 
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