Getting on a horse with no turnout after 6 months box rest!

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lamicjoa1

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Hi everyone,
Just looking for a bit of help/reassurance.
Tomorrow is my D day; my mare tore her forelimb suspensory ligament around 6 months ago and has been on box rest ever since, we have done the walking in hand and now is turned out in an indoor sand pit for 30 mins-1 hour a day on vet advice that the weather is too bad to be turned out and would likely cause a tear again.
Tomorrow is the day when I am meant to start ridden walking for 20 minutes, however I am slightly apprehensive as she can be extremely fresh when being led (rearing, bucking) and very excitable. I also have nerves due to her last box rest session (due to an op on her other forelimb) she was a nightmare to lead into the outdoor school and was very reary, however we then discovered she had gastric ulcers and I thought that could explain some of the malicious behaviour.. She isnt a nasty horse by any stretch (just a big young chestnut mare warmblood haha)

Anyway, should I bite the bullet and just get on her? I am not allowed to lunge her prior to riding, my only other option is really to leave her on box rest until the weather improves and get on her after turn out.
Any tips and advice would be much appreciated!
 
I wouldn't worry too much about the rearing/bucking....horses do it on the lunge all the time but never under saddle, it's just exuberance so just because she does it in hand doesn't mean she will do it with you on top. I would probably do her 1 hour turnout and then tack her up in the school and have someone walk you around a few times then walk you down the road with a lunge line through the bit rings just so that you can bail if you need to, knowing someone still has the horse.

That said though, reality is usually far less exciting than our anxious imaginations come up with, so take a few deep breaths and remember to just be calm. If you expect something to go wrong, you're actually contributing to the possibility of that happening. Expect it to go well and you may just surprise yourself.
 
Thanks very much- deep down I know thats what I need to do! I just don't want anything to go wrong as we've not had the best of luck with her! Im nervous but so excited to ride after so long, so should just get on with it.
I daren't even consider using sedalin before getting on her for the possibility of her going crazy on it!
 
I survived my D day today! Got on my boy after four months box rest due to hind suspensory lesion and collateral ligament damage. Only got the all clear from the vet last Friday after his last scans. Spent the last three days walking in hand (v hairy to say the least) and finally got on board tonight. I have to say he was an absolute angel for me. Worrying is the worst thing but the reality was much less scary. Hope all goes well tomorrow and don't worry. Keep smiling and talking to her. Oh and don't forget to enjoy being back in the saddle!
 
Would she better if she had something steady to follow around/walk next to? That is what I did when I had to get on one of mine after 9 months box rest as he is a stressy sort - anyone on the ground was more harmful than beneficial but when he had a nanny he was fine (unless the nanny spooked then he spooked just in case).

Otherwise, can you use a calmer? Just to take the edge off? I am all for safety first in these situations as it wont do either of you any good if she rears/bucks/charges off under saddle.
 
Have you been leading her out in her saddle ?
If not I would do so for a few days..
Then I think I would wedge in between two sensible companions .
Or if thats not possible I would ride exactly where you walk with a human ' leading 'beside you .
Make sure you have the stirrups at the correct length so you can get straight on the move when you get on .
 
_GG_ said:
....horses do it on the lunge all the time but never under saddle. . . .
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I can't entirely agree. I would say that's like the "horses never mess around on concrete" thing - believable right up until it's not.

See how you get on with the advice you've been given - she may very well be absolutely fine - but there are various options available and the exist because sometimes people and horses need them. There is nothing to be gained by being a hero.
 
I'd leave the horse out for is 1 hour "turnout", then walk it in hand tacked up for 10 mins before getting on for a 10 min walk just the first few times, then the horse will hopefully be as calm as you can possibly make her. I know I wouldn't have set foot on my horse who was on box rest for a few months, he was horrendous being walked out in-hand to the point that the vet told me to turn him out in a very small paddock instead and that totally sorted him - back to normal within a couple of weeks.
 
Sedalin...... Just for the first few days until she gets used to being ridden.
Prescribed by my vet after a prolonged period of box rest , better safe than sorry .
 
I was recently in the same situation and used acp tablets until I was allowed to lunge him first and haven't needed them since. There is no way it would have been safe to ride without them. Every horse will need a different amount of acp/Sedalin to give the right level of mild sedation to just take the edge off. Ask your vet what they recommend. Good luck!
 
Valerian is another option, if you don't need anything as strong as ace, although it's not as fast acting and should really be given daily. Zylekene is another option that works well, although it's pricey.

OP you might not need anything but there are options if you do. Frankly, having a problem won't help the horse's rehab either.
 
_GG_ said:
I wouldn't worry too much about the rearing/bucking....horses do it on the lunge all the time but never under saddle,
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I'm sorry but I don't agree with this - my boy after 15 months off will buck & rear in hand and also under saddle. I have had to use sedalin on him to start off with because he was too much a nut job just to get on. However he is very fit at the moment due to endless walking and has also been well fed in order to put on weight, so I have cut his feed, cut out carrots, and started on a herbal calmer (he gets magnesium supplemented so mag based calmers do not work).
I would advise using sedation or alternatively valerian as a calmer in the form of v calm (you can't compete on it but in the early stages it could be useful). If the horse is calmer, you are likely to feel more confident & therefore this will also transmit to the horse.
 
Hi everyone, thanks so much for all of the advice.
She is absolutely awful to lead, i tried leading her round to the school to walk this evening, as have just been doing in on the yard as she would go crazy anywhere away from her stable, and unfortunately tonight was no better- I think I will ring my vet in the morning and see what they say about sedalin use as I don't think I will even be able to get her to stand still to get on her tomorrow as he had a very quick succession of rears and bucks tonight which seemed very much aimed in my direction.
Will keep you all updated, Im training to be a vet myself and they always say don't put yourself in any danger, in fact my vet said this to me when waking her as she often used to rear and nearly slip onto her bum!
Thanks again everyone, great to have everyones support!
 
I'm a bit scared by some of the advice given!

I was thrown off from a walk, from a horse who had never misbehaved on the lunge and was left with a rather serious spinal fracture.

Please don't just get on. Definitely look into sedalin, it will make it much safer.

Good luck.
 
Ok, perhaps my comment could have been worded better regarding lunging...of course nothing is a guarantee with horses and I wasn't saying it was, hence advising to do it after turnout, with care and in hand so that there was someone else in control of the horse.

The theme of what I said was that purely by expecting there to be a problem, a problem can be created. It is far better to stay calm, prepare and do things slowly than go into something expecting it to all go wrong.
 
In a similar situation, I 'ponied' mine, fully tacked,from another horse, for about 2 weeks. That got him used to tack again, and he got back into the swing of going out sensibly. I then started getting on him part way round the hack, once the edge was off him, and giving the the other horse to another rider to lead home. It worked very well, but only do-able if you have a good sensible ned to pony from.

Sedalin seems a good back up plan, if he's a horse it works well on. Mine just seems to fight it:(
 
_GG_ said:
Ok, perhaps my comment could have been worded better regarding lunging...of course nothing is a guarantee with horses and I wasn't saying it was, hence advising to do it after turnout, with care and in hand so that there was someone else in control of the horse.

The theme of what I said was that purely by expecting there to be a problem, a problem can be created. It is far better to stay calm, prepare and do things slowly than go into something expecting it to all go wrong.
Click to expand...


I'll add, I wouldn't get on a horse that had sedalin. Valerian yes, in fact you can start that in advance and let it build up but sedalin, no. Not unless I was really confident I knew how a horse reacted to it.
 
I would speak to your vet about using sedalin and have someone on the ground leading you. I used to work on a livery and we used to sedalin and then have someone either side leading indoors to begin with for about 1 week then gradually progress to leading outdoors. Try not to pick a very windy raining day (silly thing to say at the moment I know) The comment about horses not being naughty under saddle is, in my opinion completely wrong...I have a horse who has never bucked or reared under saddle but this winter has unfortunately been in 24/7 the last 3 weeks since this he has been putting in enormous bucks and leaps out hacking, he just wants to be a horse and is frustrated. Stay Safe.
 
Personally I wouldn't take the risk in this situation of 'hoping' she will be sensible under saddle. She is already showing behaviour in hand that could make for a dangerous scenario when ridden.

As you can't lunge, I would be looking at starting to lead in hand, with tack. Possibly saddled, bitted, and with side reins (although not fitted until in the school), and get her into a working mindset.
If she's still being explosive, perhaps start with a 'riding legal' calmer and see how you get on (http://www.naf-equine.eu/uk/products/productDetail.jsp?detail_id=instant-magic) . If that doesn't work, break out the sedolin big guns.

You are no good to a rehabbing horse if you're broken! Good luck!!
 
Might be worth speaking to your vet regarding all forms of sedation, as there are some longer acting forms available. Not legal to compete on and have a longer withdrawal period (over 28 days). I've already starting this conversation with my vet, as my horse is due to be on box rest at the end of the month. I am already dreading the walking in hand, not to mention the first rider!
I think someone has already said it, but are you able to long line? At least she could
Also when you do finally get back on, could you borrow an air jacket? At least it would give you some additional protection should the worse happen.
 
lamicjoa1 said:
Hi everyone,
Just looking for a bit of help/reassurance.
Tomorrow is my D day; my mare tore her forelimb suspensory ligament around 6 months ago and has been on box rest ever since, we have done the walking in hand and now is turned out in an indoor sand pit for 30 mins-1 hour a day on vet advice that the weather is too bad to be turned out and would likely cause a tear again.
Tomorrow is the day when I am meant to start ridden walking for 20 minutes, however I am slightly apprehensive as she can be extremely fresh when being led (rearing, bucking) and very excitable. I also have nerves due to her last box rest session (due to an op on her other forelimb) she was a nightmare to lead into the outdoor school and was very reary, however we then discovered she had gastric ulcers and I thought that could explain some of the malicious behaviour.. She isnt a nasty horse by any stretch (just a big young chestnut mare warmblood haha)

Anyway, should I bite the bullet and just get on her? I am not allowed to lunge her prior to riding, my only other option is really to leave her on box rest until the weather improves and get on her after turn out.
Any tips and advice would be much appreciated!
Click to expand...

Just go for it. I'd rather ride mine straight out of the box after six weeks box rest than lead him round the yard after one! :)
 
OP, you've already replied that you're going to consult with people who know you and your horse and that you will be careful. That is the sensible course of action.

To the people saying there is no reason to take precautions, why not? I'm pleased that you've never had so much as a close call with all the horses you've rehabbed that way but that's not everyone's experience. I've worked on some big rehab yards - they take precautions because the stakes are so high, not because they are too novice or chicken to do it 'properly'.
 
TarrSteps said:
OP, you've already replied that you're going to consult with people who know you and your horse and that you will be careful. That is the sensible course of action.

To the people saying there is no reason to take precautions, why not? I'm pleased that you've never had so much as a close call with all the horses you've rehabbed that way but that's not everyone's experience. I've worked on some big rehab yards - they take precautions because the stakes are so high, not because they are too novice or chicken to do it 'properly'.
Click to expand...

This, a million times over. After a very bad experience of riding a very big, full of it eventer after 4 months box rest I would never do it again. The vets say these things because it's easy to say when you don't have to do it yourself but sometimes it's just not feasible.
 
TarrSteps said:
OP, you've already replied that you're going to consult with people who know you and your horse and that you will be careful. That is the sensible course of action.

To the people saying there is no reason to take precautions, why not? I'm pleased that you've never had so much as a close call with all the horses you've rehabbed that way but that's not everyone's experience. I've worked on some big rehab yards - they take precautions because the stakes are so high, not because they are too novice or chicken to do it 'properly'.
Click to expand...

I agree with this, but I can only see one post that has not advised taking sensible precautions.
 
_GG_ said:
Ok, perhaps my comment could have been worded better regarding lunging...of course nothing is a guarantee with horses and I wasn't saying it was, hence advising to do it after turnout, with care and in hand so that there was someone else in control of the horse.

The theme of what I said was that purely by expecting there to be a problem, a problem can be created. It is far better to stay calm, prepare and do things slowly than go into something expecting it to all go wrong.
Click to expand...

Sorry GG, I think that my reply could also have been worded a bit better. The horse that caused my injury was also being led, having been turned out and lunged first, so I can be a bit OTT for safety, having been badly hurt when I thought I had taken all precautions!

I agree that after the 1 hour turnout, everything should be fine, however I would still add in extras. Sedalin if appropriate, back protector, leader, draw reins... That way I would feel more confident about things going right rather than wrong.

Interestingly, when I recovered from my back and was first getting back on, unfortunate circumstances meant that I was having to get back on my 6 yr old trakehner after a months boxrest! I turned her out in the round pen first, made sure she has got rid of all excess energy, draw reins on and off I went. I didn't have any problems but would always advise others to take extra caution.
 
When I asked my vet for Sedalin for taking my boy out after 5 months box rest, she said she felt that would not be appropriate if he was ridden, too dangerous. I didn't ask her to qualify her statement, only needed it to lead out. be careful.
 
Hi everyone!
So have just faced my fears and got on! Vets suggested Sedalin if I was sure how she reacted to it- I wasn't 100% sure the Sedalin would make her more settled and didn't want to be at risk of her getting down suddenly. So I tacked her up and walked her around the school for a while after her hour 'turn out' to let her settle.
My friend them came and helped me get on her and lead me on a lunge l, my friend is very experienced and didn't let go of me when she spooked or was naughty and I've got to say after 10 minutes of freshness she settled down and walked nicely. I did keep her on a contact all the time though.
I'm so happy- just have to hope she hasn't caught onto the idea of being ridden and gets giddy now!
Thanks everyone!
 
lamicjoa1 said:
Hi everyone!
So have just faced my fears and got on! Vets suggested Sedalin if I was sure how she reacted to it- I wasn't 100% sure the Sedalin would make her more settled and didn't want to be at risk of her getting down suddenly. So I tacked her up and walked her around the school for a while after her hour 'turn out' to let her settle.
My friend them came and helped me get on her and lead me on a lunge l, my friend is very experienced and didn't let go of me when she spooked or was naughty and I've got to say after 10 minutes of freshness she settled down and walked nicely. I did keep her on a contact all the time though.
I'm so happy- just have to hope she hasn't caught onto the idea of being ridden and gets giddy now!
Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...


Sounds very relaxed, well managed and stress free. Well done you, I bet it felt amazing to be back on board didn't it :)
 
Well done. :) Sounds like a good first day.


Out of curiosity, to the people whose vets are against Sedalin for rehabbing are they offering you another option? One of my pet peeves is vets who make owners feel cowards for not wanting to sit on a ticking time bomb. I'm also amazed how many times, as a professional, I've put my foot down on the subject and suddenly the vet/physio can supply other ideas on how to get the job done safely. Do owners discuss their own safety in this situation or are they so cowed by the vet they don't bring it up? Interestingly, in all my years of being a crash test dummy I've NEVER had a vet or physio take me up on the offer to come and do the initial walking if it's not going well.
 
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