Despondent - encouragement please

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Flicker

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My boy has been on box rest for an injury since early December.
I have to say that, as far as being a patient is concerned, I could not have asked for one better behaved, more obliging, sweet natured and just generally easy to do in every way.
His progress is encouraging and I have been riding him lightly for the past couple of weeks. It is mainly in the school, in walk, but I have also ventured out for a couple of hacks because he loves his hacks, and it is here that the problems lie. Usually bomb-proof on hacks, he is now so exuberant to be out, that he just starts bucking at the slightest provocation (they are definitely not pain related because he is spot on in the school). I am really nervous to take him out because I just know I am not a competent enough rider to handle him if he really blows.
The vet wants him in for just a couple more weeks and then I can pop him in a pen and build up turn-out from there. I know he'll be better after he's had a real good buck and roll but I just feel so guilty when I see him in that stable.
I take him out for a walk and a visit round the yard twice a day and make a huge fuss of him but just feel so despondent.
I want to hack him but I can't because he is too excitable, but I can't turn him out just yet in case he reinjures himself. So poor boy is stuck with plodding round the old indoor or walking round with mum on the end of a lead rope.
I know it will pass and I'm doing right by the vet, but golly, it is a hard road, isn't it??
Sorry to be down on a Friday.
Any encouragement or a kick in the pants gratefully received...
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Tis crap indeed.

You will get there- I know ''box-rest 2007'' was the worst 12 weeks of my horse-owning life- mine doesnt take kindly too box rest at all- it was a nightmare.

When its all over you will feel a weight off your shoulders....chin up babes, nearly there.
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Nightmare situation, this happened to a friend of mine, only hers HAD to be on a hard surface so she had to go out. She had the patience of a saint as the horse was bonkers at the best of times. Could you not try something like sokalm before riding and go out with a 100% sensible sort who wont make the situation worse??

I do rate sokalm, have used it for parties before and it has turned my knee knocking screaming lunatic into something I can actually ride!
 
Could your vet give you some ACP or Sedalin - saved my life when as I bringing mine back as he was bouncy even in the indoor school.
Agree that if you have a companion guaranteed not to react it might help.
 
yes been there too.nothing else to do but grit your teeth and carry on .it will get easier though .if you dont feel safe stick to longer walks in hand or is he ok in walk on a hack and just do a short circuit preferably without turning round.only a few more weeks
 
Don't be despondent - the time will pass quickly. Mine was on box rest for 6 months and then we had 3 months of plodding round on the end of a lead rope. However, I think I found it more depressing than he did! Horses are amazingly resilient.
 
Definintely get some sedalin from the vet. I'm now bringing my mare back into work after 3 months!! Without the sedalin she is uncontrollable in the school on a lunge/walking in hand, all she does is go up in the air and trot very tight circles round you. Quite scary really as she is 16.2!!
She hasn't been ridden without the sedalin yet, but with she can still be on her toes, but it really takes the edge off.
Good luck, I know how exciting it is to get them going again, and you just want them to be the well behaved neddy they once were!!
Oh I am even going to try a pacifier (blinker type thing) with her when she starts hacking out again, but we've only been going for 10 days so far and all in the school! :
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My boy has been in for 6 months so far and another 3 months before he can any turn out
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But i know its for the best but it has been really hard work i have a few times gone into the stable and cried into his shoulder, but i can see the light at the end of the tunnel, i'm counting down the weeks (11 tomorrow
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) i can't wait he has been so good doing his exercise programme, but there are some days he can't help himself and does a very good impression of a rodeo horse
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Oh well, nearly there, just remember your not on your own as for me it is nice to hear that other people (unfortunately) are going through the same thing.
 
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