Dreading turnout after box rest

Gusbear

Gusbear

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My normally calm and sensible ID x has been on box rest since mid December due to tie back and hobday surgery and all going to plan he will be able to be turned out again in a week or two.
He has been good most days except for the occasional flip out moments where he bucks, rears and tries to destroy his stable and any poor creature, human or otherwise within the reach of his snapping teeth and flailing limbs. On those days you can't so much as pat him without fear of being ripped to shreds and/or the possibility of being crushed to death against the stable wall. He's like Jekyll and Hyde, quiet some days and deadly the next! So far he has only had Sedalin twice, however it only worked once as the other time he simply kept being a complete numpty and climbed out over the stable door, his front legs over the front of the door and being a complete prat to the point the vet had to be called to sort him out and even he couldn't control him.
As he has had an implant in his neck, it is imperative that he remains calm and does not exert his airways in any way as to do so would increase the risk of dislodging the implant (god forbid that would mean an emergency trip back to the horsepital).
The vet has suggested we sedate him almost to the point of him being comatose until he is settled enough to be turned out without trying to do cartwheels, backflips and goodness knows what other acrobatic feats in the field.
I'm quite nervous for him as him being quite young mentally (only 5) and somewhat headstrong and still in his silly adolescent stage means that he is likely to go into complete freak out mode and gallop around the field like a loony regardless of how much Sedalin he has been given.
BTW he is being walked out in hand (in a Chifney) twice a day. Some days quiet as a lamb and others has tried to all but kill the poor suffering but ever patient YM.
Are there any tips to help help in readjusting to day turnout without the turmoil?
His best friend and turnout buddy is also his stable neighbour. They love each other to bits and get on incredibly well but do tend to dance around and play up somewhat like idiots for a while when first turned out each day together.
Not sure how to tackle this dilemma as it's my first time dealing with this type of thing.

Lovely Finnish vodka with salted licorice (just returned from Lapland) for any takers.
P.S. No, we didn't see the Northern Lights :( Spent a fortune to get there only to be cold for a week in minus 20 degrees and for it to be overcast the entire time :mad:
 
Sorry to hear about missing the northern lights! What a bummer!

Any way, back to the horse. This is a tough one, as putting out whilst sedated holds its risks... Just to add to your turmoil!
How big is the paddock? Could he be put in a smaller, secure paddock? Any calm, sensible, types on the yard he could go out with? I don't think I'd put out with his normal buddy, not if they tend to play a lot on a normal day!
 
Turn him out hungry so he'll get his head down and eat. Might be worth fencing off a small area with electric fence. If you do this adjacent to a post and rail fence, you can make 2 little paddocks so his best pal can go in the other. If there's no grass, put a tie ring on one of the wooden posts and hang a net so they can share. I'd also flatten his friend with work so he's not in the mood for cavorting either. Leave his headcollar on when he goes out in case you need to grab him quick
 
I'm watching with interest as mine hasn't been in the field since October. So far the plan is to work her legs off so she is tired and hungry then put her out with a calm companion but I'm dreading it!
 
First off I would say that if he has fought sedalin before. Then I would have the vet come and give him a shot as far more effective and vet can more carefully control the amount and give more if needed but...turn out while heavily sedated has many risks. What is the fencing in your paddock? Sedation is useful to us because it muted the horses senses so much. Therefore if your horse does fight through it, it will not be as easily able to feel and respect any barriers and will be able to use all his strength so could easily take fencing down. I have seen quality post and rail fencing destroyed by a sedated horse, so if you have electric fencing, you may end up with electric tape and posts tying up around his legs and flying all over the place.

What I personally would want to ask the vet is how high is the risk of dislodging the implant. I say thus because it sounds like he has done plenty of bucking, rearing, farting about, barging, rubbing and prancing already and is ok? Why should the field be any different? I assume he is lying down in.his stable? If so, then he is in all likelihood having a roll sometimes as well. Why will that not dislodge the implant?

Basically, is it worth all of the effort to subdue him when he is already being a Pratt indoors? I would speak to your vet, have him or her on standby at the time you turn out and perhaps have his buddy held by the fence with a big bucket of feed and just let your boy go. His buddy will be unable to go mental so your boy will give up sooner. At least that way he will be mentally and physically aware of fencing and IMO much less likely to hurt himself.

Good luck and let us know how you geton.
 
Can you exercise him prior to turnout? If at all possible I've ridden/ whacked them on the lunge to get rid of any excess energy and then turned out.
 
I had the same worry. I hand grazed for an hour or so before letting my boy off the leadrope for the first couple of days. I stayed close by him so he wasn't really aware of the fact that he was off the rope. You could always try a bit of Sedalin (or Domosedan for a stronger effect) on the first day. Bear in mind it will take about 45 minutes to take effect. Make sure there is plenty of grass/hay/haylage out there, maybe even a bucket of his normal feed so he is interested in that instead of hooleying. Good luck.
 
I am in the same boat this morning, (different injury) but she's been in since Xmas however wasn't a lot to be walked out until a week ago.. I will be giving some acp no breakfast and t/o with her bucket and hay ..
 
I specialise in box rests, and in getting them back to being able to be turned out and behave!

We turn out first thing, with their breakfast, in a flat paddock that has been fenced off to being about twice the size of their stable. They get their heads straight down and stuff their faces with breakfast, and by the time they've finished, being outside isn't too exciting. Occasionally, we'll turn out with a sensible friend in the paddock with them, but normally they have someone on the other side of the fence to chat to.

I wouldn't bother with Sedalin - the excitement will counteract it, and if not, it could cause him to fall over or knock into something.

Good luck - it's never as dreadful as you think it will be!
 
I agree sedate, small field and turnout hungry. Also, when I have done this I have attached a lunge line to the headcollar and sort of lunged a few circles just to gauge their reaction to being out. If they're calm I then unclip the line and leave them be, but if they're over excited you have something to grab them by
 
Poor you, this is always such a worry. The thing with sedation is that they have to wake up sooner or later. I have always got away with turning them out very hungry, into the smallest, well fenced paddock possible. He will stand on his head and charge around whatever you do. Good luck.
 
Have you tried Zyklene equine? I haven't used it myself but was at a talk about it and it seems like this was the sort of situation it was recommended for. Whether or not it actually works I've no idea but may be worth seeing what others experiences if it are, good luck!
 
NikNak1 said:
Have you tried Zyklene equine? I haven't used it myself but was at a talk about it and it seems like this was the sort of situation it was recommended for. Whether or not it actually works I've no idea but may be worth seeing what others experiences if it are, good luck!
Click to expand...

Zyklene is a calming product designed to be used daily rather than as a one off 'hit'.

My horse went out after 11 months in the box. My vet sedated him via IV and stayed with us until all was safe. I fenced an area the same size as the barn he had come out of, about 22' square and another smaller patch for his girlfriend to be at his side. Your vet is able to help you ensure the turn out goes to plan.
 
'Zyklene is a calming product designed to be used daily rather than as a one off 'hit'.'

I was under the impression from the presentation that it could be used for short term stress (e.g. Travelling, clipping, dentist) by being given for a few days beforehand & duration of stressor or long term stress (e.g. Moving yards, box rest) & website suggests that also. As I said I don't know whether or not it actually works however
 
I have a similar problem. Told by vet to walk out for 5 mins and increasing daily. Only option is straight out on road, usually relatively quiet but can be busy and cars tend to go at up to 40 miles an hour.

My boy has been in since Sept.

Yesterday, braved for the first time. All well if a little bargey, not usually. Had a bridle on and Hi Viz on me and him.

Did do a few tap dances but overall very well behaved, thank goodness!

Turning out will be another ball game for sure!
 
Firstly what are you feeding him while on box rest. We've always fed adlib hay and nothing else to box rest horses along with a mineral block.

Can you turn him out into an arena/indoor school first? This is what we did with my crazy TB who spent 6 weeks yarded up following a pedal bone bruise. We sedated him prior to turning out as he too is the sort that has to have a hoon around with rodeo display before settling.

It really is the best way to go, enough sedative to prevent racing around but not enough to make it dangerous for him to eat.
 
Thanks for all your replies.
The big worry with being in the field that any form of exertion on his airways from cantering and bolting around can dislodge the implant as it takes a good three months for it to adhere fully to the cartlidge in his throat. So although he has done his fair share of being a numpty in his stable he hasn't actually had the chance to expert his lungs and airways yet.
He has to be very gradually put back into work with slow walking and short hacks. He can't therefore do any form of strenuous exercise for another couple of months, so tiring him out with exercise by riding or lunging prior to turning him out isn't an option unfortunately.
I did think about turning him out in the school however I know he will jump the fence to get out (he has tried once when he spooked and bolted during a schooling session). He's a very big fella at 18.3hh and could basically step over the fence if he wanted to! Plus it's next to a bridle path and anyone going past will more than likely set him off and have him in loony mode.
I think that feeding breakfast in the field sounds like a plan as his head is certainly ruled by his stomach. Also might see if I can fence off a small area within his and his buddy's turnout field and perhaps gradually increase the area as he becomes settled over the coming weeks.
After reading the posts I'm now thinking less sedative and perhaps take him out in hand in a chifney with the vet in tow just in case and let him graze merrily.
He is being scoped on Wednesday so if all looks well then the plan is to turn him out on Friday.
After that then I'll need to unpack my brave pants and see how he goes under saddle. Now that he can breath properly I have an inkling he will have more energy and will go from being a Mr Plod to warp speed Mr Spock. Yikes. Wish me luck.
I'll keep you updated. :)
 
On the fencing problem for a big horse/horse able to jump.

I put electric stakes on the top of the post and rail. I used fencing staples, (the bigger ones) to hold the spiked end of the electric posts. Just hammer the staples partially in, slot the spikes into the staples and then hammer tight. Then I used 3 strands of white tape on the stakes. End result was a 8 foot fence. I was fortunate in that I had the small areas of post and rail to make the above set up possible plus using the sides of buildings for containment.
 
Mine had bromide from the vet - although you have to watch that it doesn't slow down the digestive tract and cause colic!

Mine was a nightmare and even after starting exercise continued to be a nightmare, I am surprised and thankfull that he neither killed me nor injured himself again.

He only had a tiny amount and it just took the stupidness away. It goes out of their system in 24 hours.
 
Are girl has been in since September, we are supposed to walk her out 3 or 4 times a week but she is positively dangerous to lead out even with a chifney, be nice halter, bridle etc. She will be in till mid feb, then out for a month before bringing back to work. I am so worried she will undo all the mending that has been achieved so far in a few minutes.
I like the idea of giving a feed at turnout so we may try that alongside a tiny paddock.
 
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