Colt on box rest, combating boredom..

Dwyran_gold

Dwyran_gold

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Hello, As some may know my colt has an op booked in this month which is on Wednesday for his Undescended testicle. well it’s not great news, they came out to look over him and have a pre op review today and it looks as though his testicle is among internal organs so the op is a difficult one and he’ll require box rest when he returns. Again as some of you know, he’s at my yard at home at the moment and because of his temperament and being young I haven’t been able to put him in a field with my oldies as it didn’t work out well, so he’s been subjected to a field on his own only looking at them over the fence Because of this, I reserved a place from may to go to my trainers yard as he’ll have opportunity to socialise with other horses. With consideration of the box rest I’ve decided he’ll be going straight to the yard I’ve reserved a space at as I’ve already got him a stable there (for emergencies) and I think it’ll make more sense than bringing him home to stable him on box rest when he’s never been stabled and then move him to the other yard after, I don’t want too much stress for him.
so I was wondering how I could combat boredom for a young colt in the stable, I am off shopping tomorrow and I’ll get him some licks but other than that I’m not sure what I can do? Any stable toys or anything anyone would recommend for a colt who has never been stabled and has to be on box rest for a couple of days?
 
Put some rope through some carrots and swede and hang it from the ceiling, possibly a treat ball with something low energy in it. Would he like one of those normal balls with a handle on it that he can throw about?
 
Treat balls can keep them entertained for a while, as can carrots hidden in their hay, different types of veg threaded on a string, and swede on a rope hanging from the ceiling. Some of them seem happier with stable mirrors too.
 
Amymay said:
I would not give licks and no toys. You can hang carrots and swedes as mentioned above. Plenty of hay. A radio (a talk station or classical). Equine company if possible. I also think that routine is important.
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I agree no toys, not sure hanging things is a good idea either in case they get too fixated and frustrated, he needs to be quiet, spend time sleeping and healing not be chasing things around his stable winding himself up, the trainer should know how to occupy him and deal with box rest in the best way, leave them in peace as much as possible with another for company is how any of mine on rest are cared for, along with adlib forage usually in 2 or 3 places to keep them interested.
 
Thanks all for your advice, I’ve set him up a comfy bed with plenty of hay with a few carrots hidden in it but nothing else.
he’s been in his operation for an hour now so I’m getting a bit nervous as I didn’t think it’d take this long! Xx
 
Amymay said:
I would not give licks and no toys. You can hang carrots and swedes as mentioned above. Plenty of hay. A radio (a talk station or classical). Equine company if possible. I also think that routine is important.
Click to expand...
Seond this ^ I know its a bit of an out there suggestion, but do try radio for music...ive used it for all sorts of ailing animals and find they respond to music, especially classical. Its very relaxing for them. the classical radio stations are good, sometimes theres the odd piece of mad harpsichord frenzy but its rare! ?
 
Hi all, he’s out the op. It had taken a while because of where the testicle was, it made it a tricky operation, the surgeon said something about having to use a balloon of some sort to separate the tissues as it was lodged so close to other organs to ensure they removed it without cutting any vital organs. He’s woke up and he’s standing, he’s subdued but doing well. They have said he will be in for tonight and depending how he is tomorrow they might let him come home on box rest. So relieved it’s all over! Xx
 
Dwyran_gold said:
Hi all, he’s out the op. It had taken a while because of where the testicle was, it made it a tricky operation, the surgeon said something about having to use a balloon of some sort to separate the tissues as it was lodged so close to other organs to ensure they removed it without cutting any vital organs. He’s woke up and he’s standing, he’s subdued but doing well. They have said he will be in for tonight and depending how he is tomorrow they might let him come home on box rest. So relieved it’s all over! Xx
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Glad it’s over. He will prob be quite subdued for a few days due to pain and the like. I agree no toys or anything he may end up doing damage with. Licks will just provide sugar for energy so deffo none of them!
 
He’s home! he’s at the trainers yard anyway, on box rest. He didn’t settle too well and was trying to jump the door, he had his front legs over it for an hour and a half, would get him down and he’d prob himself back up! I was worried about the stitches, it’s a big incision so the YO moved him in to a box next to some goats and OMG I can’t believe how calm he is now! hes doing great and I’ve got a camera in there to keep an eye on him Xx
 

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