Desperate situation, ideas needed, please!

I'm going to spout another of my grandpas pearls of wisdom! "Everything heals with time. We only interfere to speed up the process" She will get better. She might better faster on box rest/restricted freedom, but ultimately, however you manage her, she will get better.
My horse has suspensory ligament problems. He should be on box rest, but I chose not go down that route. He didn't have much opportunity to be a horse until I got him, and I wanted him to immerse himself in being one. He's out with other horses, sometimes he has a hooley ( and it makes my stomach flip to watch him) and he's very happy and relaxed. His legs are cool and firm, he's a bit unlevel occasionally, but he's improving very very slowly. It'll come...
 
amymay said:
Just a musing here, but.......

If she's happy and calm out that's were I'd leave her (broken pedal bone or not). Sure, I'd go with a smaller area, so paddock rather than field, with a calm and kindly field mate. But, I wouldn't put her on further box rest.

It's a gamble, but either way you're looking at loosing her - and for her sanity, and everyone's safety, this would seem to be the best option.
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This is what I would do, I have heard of broken pedal bones healing on turned out horses before, but granted it takes much longer. I'm a firm believer in mental health being as important if not more important than physical health. A happy horse heals more quickly and is less likely to cause further damage.

My mare was turned away when she did a ddft and healed fine albeit it took a while.
 
Auslander said:
I'm going to spout another of my grandpas pearls of wisdom! "Everything heals with time. We only interfere to speed up the process" She will get better. She might better faster on box rest/restricted freedom, but ultimately, however you manage her, she will get better.
My horse has suspensory ligament problems. He should be on box rest, but I chose not go down that route. He didn't have much opportunity to be a horse until I got him, and I wanted him to immerse himself in being one. He's out with other horses, sometimes he has a hooley ( and it makes my stomach flip to watch him) and he's very happy and relaxed. His legs are cool and firm, he's a bit unlevel occasionally, but he's improving very very slowly. It'll come...
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touchstone said:
This is what I would do, I have heard of broken pedal bones healing on turned out horses before, but granted it takes much longer. I'm a firm believer in mental health being as important if not more important than physical health. A happy horse heals more quickly and is less likely to cause further damage.

My mare was turned away when she did a ddft and healed fine albeit it took a while.
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Thank you ,with vets agreement think i'm going to do this, shes only 4 and I have all the time in the world for her to eventually heal, just dont want her to be too uncomfortable, so aslong as i can manage the pain I will slowly decrease the field size she's in with her friend!

Thank you everyone :-)
 
So, so sorry to hear about your situation. Had a similar-ish thing with my oldest boy a few years ago in terms of the fractured pedal bone and he tolerated the whole box rest thing for about 4 months with varying degrees of insanity but eventually got to the point where he was downright dangerous not only to me but to himself. My only advice, apart from lots of chocolate and hugs for you, comes from his experience whereby we found a small-ish paddock (around the size of a 20x40m arena) with LOTS of hay, haylage, carrots, apples, Lik-Its etc... to keep him occupied and a VERY sensible companion horse. We turned him out in there and although for the initial minute or two he did tear round like a complete nitwit (I openly admit I couldn't watch the first minute he was out) once he realised his oh-so sensible companion not only couldn't care less about joining in but also was getting lots and lots of goodies he wasn't getting he decided to choose that option first. He was around 10 at the time so a bit older but also an ex-racehorse with hot-headed moments. Obviously you'll need to speak with your vet and give it some careful consideration as depending on whether she chooses the settling option it can make things a heck of a lot worse but it's something to think about. Other option which we have used for a mare who was struggling with box rest was to put her in the largest foaling box available (about 3x the size of a normal stable) with another horse who was very sensible and quite happy to babysit a youngster. However it goes, thoughts and prayers with you xx
 
Serenity087 said:
I made the decision to keep Dorey out in a stable sized pen.

Twice she was either broken out of it or escaped and galloped round. It's hearbreaking to see them stuck in a small pen like that. We had our electric generators stolen so she ended up on box rest until I bought a new one (sick freaks, hope you rot in hell for stealing the generator off an injured horse!) and she couldn't go out when it was too wet, too cold or generally slippy because of her tendency to attempt sharp corners in the pen.

After nearly 8 months like this she failed to improve at all and died in her stable overnight.

I honestly wish I'd never bothered. It's hard because we didn't have a bad prognosis until it didn't get better but my poor girly spent her last 8 months stuck in a pen. It was no life for a horse.

I'd just leave her out. If, after time, it's showing no improvement, then you can let her go knowing she's been a horse again.
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This is one of the reasons I do not like the idea of box rest and will try and avoid it if at all possible. My first pony broke down team chasing and we were told 12 weeks box rest. We stupidly assumed he'd be fine I guess as he was such a well-behaved, amenable soul. He must have hidden stress well though as it just proved too much. I guess mixture of the pain and being shut in just was too much, he got colic, the vet treated him and i actually believe they mucked up tubing him. We think he suffered a ruptured bowel as he got peritonitis and although he was treated there was no fight left and he died :(. Had we just put him in a small paddock or even just turned him out (he was a very very sensible pony) I truly believe he'd have got better, albeit it it may have taken a lot longer.
 
corbleu said:
So, so sorry to hear about your situation. Had a similar-ish thing with my oldest boy a few years ago in terms of the fractured pedal bone and he tolerated the whole box rest thing for about 4 months with varying degrees of insanity but eventually got to the point where he was downright dangerous not only to me but to himself. My only advice, apart from lots of chocolate and hugs for you, comes from his experience whereby we found a small-ish paddock (around the size of a 20x40m arena) with LOTS of hay, haylage, carrots, apples, Lik-Its etc... to keep him occupied and a VERY sensible companion horse. We turned him out in there and although for the initial minute or two he did tear round like a complete nitwit (I openly admit I couldn't watch the first minute he was out) once he realised his oh-so sensible companion not only couldn't care less about joining in but also was getting lots and lots of goodies he wasn't getting he decided to choose that option first. He was around 10 at the time so a bit older but also an ex-racehorse with hot-headed moments. Obviously you'll need to speak with your vet and give it some careful consideration as depending on whether she chooses the settling option it can make things a heck of a lot worse but it's something to think about. Other option which we have used for a mare who was struggling with box rest was to put her in the largest foaling box available (about 3x the size of a normal stable) with another horse who was very sensible and quite happy to babysit a youngster. However it goes, thoughts and prayers with you xx
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Have reduced field to about this size 20m x 40m with big bale of haylage in the middle, shes in with her friend, who although not an old sensible horse (shes another 4yr old ex racer) she is having a very calming influence!

victoria1980x said:
what an awful situation, I can only imagine what you're vets bill is looking like. Were you insured?
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Not good, had bill to end of Oct and thats up to £5100, so probably looking at least that again, luckily shes well insured with Pet Plan, and as this will be 3 individual claims (cut, colic & pedal bone) I will have £15k to spend luckily!

ladyt25 said:
This is one of the reasons I do not like the idea of box rest and will try and avoid it if at all possible. My first pony broke down team chasing and we were told 12 weeks box rest. We stupidly assumed he'd be fine I guess as he was such a well-behaved, amenable soul. He must have hidden stress well though as it just proved too much. I guess mixture of the pain and being shut in just was too much, he got colic, the vet treated him and i actually believe they mucked up tubing him. We think he suffered a ruptured bowel as he got peritonitis and although he was treated there was no fight left and he died :(. Had we just put him in a small paddock or even just turned him out (he was a very very sensible pony) I truly believe he'd have got better, albeit it it may have taken a lot longer.
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So sorry to hear that, must've been awful, I definitely wont be box resting her again, the tubing was horrible, but luckily colic sorted itself with no problems, just worried about gastric ulcers now, but want to give her some time before we scope her, she hates you near her nose now, must've been so sore :-(

Vets confirmed fracture of pedal bone, quite alot of bruising in sole of foot too but shes more comfortable today so going to leave her be in small field and hopefully in time she'll heal, shes happy in herself mentally and not in too much pain which is the most important thing for now :-)

Thank you everyone for all your best wishes, suggestions and ideas, long road to recovery but hopefully I will get there with her!
 
Yes I'd agree, leave her out and no bute if possible, better to be on three legs than hurting the bad one because she is not feeling it. What about giving her ulcer meds in the meantime?

Good luck, what an awful situation!
 
FfionWinnie said:
Yes I'd agree, leave her out and no bute if possible, better to be on three legs than hurting the bad one because she is not feeling it. What about giving her ulcer meds in the meantime?

Good luck, what an awful situation!
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Thank you, going to reduce bute over next few days but vet said she needs to have some for now otherwise she spends most of the time lying down next to haylage bless her.
Had thought about giving her something, shes always been fed with preventing ulcers in mind, low starch, adlib forage etc Having had a horse with Grade 4 ulcers previously i know that if she does have them she really needs Gastrogard to help her, for insurance to pay out for ulcers they want her scoped first. Will look into supplements in mean while though, may help, thank you!
 
Please reduce any pain medication under the vet's guidance. As well as pain relief, Bute is anti-inflamatory (as you'll know). And whilst you want her a little uncomfortable - obviously you have to offer some pain relief.
 
maxine1985 said:
Thank you, going to reduce bute over next few days but vet said she needs to have some for now otherwise she spends most of the time lying down next to haylage bless her.
Had thought about giving her something, shes always been fed with preventing ulcers in mind, low starch, adlib forage etc Having had a horse with Grade 4 ulcers previously i know that if she does have them she really needs Gastrogard to help her, for insurance to pay out for ulcers they want her scoped first. Will look into supplements in mean while though, may help, thank you!
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Poor soul (you and her!). Hope things improve soon. Are you xraying the bad foot soon? I was thinking as well if the horse can be seen by passers by you might be advised to have a sign explaining she is ill and under the strict care of the vet.
 
Can I just put my two pennies worth in and say thankyou for posting this op as I also have a TB who I know we will never beable to put on box rest if ever we need to. He coliced within 2 days just as yours did...he was in horsey hospital with a bad impaction for 4 days from xmas eve last year and we very nearly lost him...must say it would have been alot cheaper for you if the vet had done this with your horsey rather than coming out all the time, my vet bill was £840 and included 24 hour observation and alot of drips and meds.
The one good thing is she isnt likely to be doing to much hooning around this time of year as if she is anything like mine her head will be in the haylage 90% of the time and as some very wise grandad has said time is a great healer! All the best and good luck
 
amymay said:
Please reduce any pain medication under the vet's guidance. As well as pain relief, Bute is anti-inflamatory (as you'll know). And whilst you want her a little uncomfortable - obviously you have to offer some pain relief.
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Yes definitely, vets had been coming daily to inject pain reflief, but they've said to reduce from 4 bute a day at the moment to 1 by next week to see how she goes and then will go from there, they want her weight bearing but not 100% dound walking around on it, so need to find right balance :-)
 
redriverrock said:
Can I just put my two pennies worth in and say thankyou for posting this op as I also have a TB who I know we will never beable to put on box rest if ever we need to. He coliced within 2 days just as yours did...he was in horsey hospital with a bad impaction for 4 days from xmas eve last year and we very nearly lost him...must say it would have been alot cheaper for you if the vet had done this with your horsey rather than coming out all the time, my vet bill was £840 and included 24 hour observation and alot of drips and meds.
The one good thing is she isnt likely to be doing to much hooning around this time of year as if she is anything like mine her head will be in the haylage 90% of the time and as some very wise grandad has said time is a great healer! All the best and good luck
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Glad yours pulled through too, TB's who'd have them lol! Again in hindsight probably would've been cheaper and would've got myself some decent nights sleep if we had have sent her, but vets felt surgery was unlikely to be needed as was just a simple impaction and she wasnt actually in much pain, just needed time and a lot of fluids to soften! was just not helped by cut on the leg as couldnt walk her round and round to get things moving!! Thank you :-)
 
Luckily mine didnt need surgery in the end but it was certainly comforting to know he was getting the best possible care...I am lucky to have great equine vets who deal with racing TB's all the time (Rase vets as Market Rasen) and he was treated so well.
I have discussed my worries about box rest if ever the need arises with my vet and he is of the opinion that restricted turnout is best, in fact he very rarely rec' long term box rest as it just blows there minds.
I really think restricted turn out will work in the end...good luck :)
 
FfionWinnie said:
Poor soul (you and her!). Hope things improve soon. Are you xraying the bad foot soon? I was thinking as well if the horse can be seen by passers by you might be advised to have a sign explaining she is ill and under the strict care of the vet.
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Foot been x rayed and fracture confirmed, big mass of bruising under sole so quite hard to see how bad fracture is, will re xray next week, luckily shes at home so no passers by to worry about, she does look a sight though with bandage on knee, poultice behind, cream all over her cuts on her head but shes got her ears pricked and eating well, have fenced water trough off though so can monitor her drinking, dont want another impaction! :-)
 
Really pleased she is eating and has her ears pricked...we will ignore the rest! What does the vet think re the x rays? Im sure you know what your doing re water in take...get the kettle on and warm the water up abit...this worked really well with mine and very sloppy feeds, I am totally paranoid about his water intake!
 
What an awful situation, I do feel for you. I think installing her in a deep bedded crew yard or barn would be the ideal solution. I wouldn't put her back in a stable. If there is no other option I'd leave her out and see how she progressed. My last option would be to pts. So sad.
 
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