Busybusybusy
Well-Known Member
My vet, after seeing him on the lunge offered me the sedalin!!
Getting on a horse with no turnout after 6 months box rest!
- Thread starter lamicjoa1
- Start date
_GG_
Well-Known Member
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.
One vet I used to use was interesting. He advised a full tube of sedalin for a horse that had never had it before that was being ridden for the first time in 4 months after a nasty abscess. I thought that was really rather stupid....the horse was a 14.3hh arab cross. A whole tube of sedalin???
Another was a vet that offered to be at the yard on hand to administer sedative intravenously in order to better control the reaction as the horse was well known for being dangerous and was being re-started after a rest period due to rider illness. He was safety first.
I'm not afraid to question or get second opinions. I think rider/handler safety has to come first.
TableDancer
Well-Known Member
Well done.
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.
This, all day long
You do get the odd "holier than thou" vet but as TS says, they aren't the one getting on the horse and it irritates me no end. Lots of good advice already, one thing about the hand-walking stage, I find that probably scarier than the ridden one as I've been knocked over and/or landed on too many times by exuberant, stir crazy invalids 
I find that walking out in sidereins to a roller helps enormously - a) they can't physically pull the same moves and b) I think they somehow more relate it to "work" and put their good boy hats on But I'm with TS and the others, Sedalin is my friend 
TarrSteps
Well-Known Member
But eho uses a tube of sedalin as a first option?!? You only have to read the insert to see that's an insane starting dosage. I think the most I've ever used on any horse is 3ml. For veterinary procedures, where the horse has to be restrained I've used more but ace wouldn't my drug of choice for that job now anyway. I've also used Valerian successfully for taking the edge off and there are other veterinary options now.
I made a vet come out and watch a horse 'walk' last year after he told the owner to get on with it and she hired me. After watching for about 30 sec he changed his tune!
Another relatively inexperienced client was told to get on her very sharp, not very sound young horse after 3 weeks off, no turn out, no longeing I laughed and told her to ring back and tell her to come up with a better plan, which she cheerfully did. The owner hadn't even brought up the safety issue.
Don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of vets. I have worked with many fantastic ones. Emphasis on the 'with' Most are consummate professionals, but very few are experienced professional riders and trainers. And they don't know 'your' horse.
I made a vet come out and watch a horse 'walk' last year after he told the owner to get on with it and she hired me. After watching for about 30 sec he changed his tune!
Another relatively inexperienced client was told to get on her very sharp, not very sound young horse after 3 weeks off, no turn out, no longeing I laughed and told her to ring back and tell her to come up with a better plan, which she cheerfully did. The owner hadn't even brought up the safety issue.
Don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of vets. I have worked with many fantastic ones. Emphasis on the 'with' Most are consummate professionals, but very few are experienced professional riders and trainers. And they don't know 'your' horse.
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angelish
Well-Known Member
i did this last year , horse was on 5 months box rest and was being naughty being lead out and the vet said well just get on
he was actually much better behaved under saddle although he wasn't perfect it was rather exciting at times but not half as bad as i thought he'd be
i had mine on a good dose of valerian (V-calm supplement) which saved my bacon , i also went no where with out a set of draw reins and a neck strap
i haven't read all the replies and i'm sure you've got some great advice just wanted to add that i know it seems impossible but it can be done
good luck
he was actually much better behaved under saddle although he wasn't perfect it was rather exciting at times but not half as bad as i thought he'd be
i had mine on a good dose of valerian (V-calm supplement) which saved my bacon , i also went no where with out a set of draw reins and a neck strap
i haven't read all the replies and i'm sure you've got some great advice just wanted to add that i know it seems impossible but it can be done
good luck
_GG_
Well-Known Member
It scares me. If my old mare had been given even the tiniest dose of sedalin for her return to work after 15 months box rest and 3 months restricted TO and in hand walking, she would have probably killed someone. She would fight it very nastily which, when combined with diminished self control, was a recipe for disaster.
Fly used to be a bit of a nervy/tense girl. I had her on valerian in her feed twice a day and after 2 weeks, she was noticeably calmer. After a month, I took her off and never looked back.
I like a vet that is open, not just a one method fits all.
TarrSteps
Well-Known Member
Two more points. . . .
Valerian works. That's why it's banned. It's not a vet level sedative but it's not a completely unproven feed additive, either.
I've actually - INADVERTENTLY - taken Sedalin. I wouldn't recommend it. And I don't use it lightly, especially after that experience. But I've also seen it used A LOT and, USED SENSIBLY it's sometimes a godsend. These situations are always about risk assessment and not only will different things work for different situations, often different approaches will work for the same situation. (Which is the case with most things.) I just think people should make their choices knowing all the options and that the ultimate choice should rest with the individual assuming the most risk.
Valerian works. That's why it's banned. It's not a vet level sedative but it's not a completely unproven feed additive, either.
I've actually - INADVERTENTLY - taken Sedalin. I wouldn't recommend it. And I don't use it lightly, especially after that experience. But I've also seen it used A LOT and, USED SENSIBLY it's sometimes a godsend. These situations are always about risk assessment and not only will different things work for different situations, often different approaches will work for the same situation. (Which is the case with most things.) I just think people should make their choices knowing all the options and that the ultimate choice should rest with the individual assuming the most risk.
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_GG_
Well-Known Member
Brilliantly put. I get Valerian from my local health food shop! I'm not anti sedalin in any sense...I have used it many times to assist with difficult situations.
TarrSteps
Well-Known Member
I agree, it's not the right choice for every animal. I had a dog react very badly to it and I've had horses for whom it was not the right choice, although a daily dose of valerian topped up with a tiny dose of sedalin worked perfectly for one of those.
What does worry me though, is I meet more people who dismiss it out of hand because 'a friend of a friend had a horse that went mad on it'. Chemical restraint exists for a very good reason. Part of that reason, sometimes, is to lessen or negate the need for physical restraint, which may actually be potentially more damaging to the horse and more dangerous for all concerned.
The key is, of course, knowledge and good sense. All I'm saying is the ultimate arbitrator of that has to be the person whose neck is on the line.
Patterdale
Well-Known Member
I know I'm a bit late to the party GG but this is brilliant! I actually lol-ed
(no offence! )But seriously -
This, and -
...this.
Having also spent years as a crash test dummy (aka professional rider specialising in breaking/idiot - delete as applicable), I HATE this attitude from owners/trainers too.
I used to do some freelance backing for a yard and every now and then you'd get there and say 'sorry, that's not ready yet' whilst looking at a coiled spring on the end of the lunge, only to be told 'well if you're too scared...!'
No, just not looking to go to A&E today, thanks!
They never take up the 'well you get on if you think it's ready' either...:rolleyes3:
Glad it went ok for you OP!
angelish
Well-Known Member
tarrsteps what effect did the sedalin have on you ?
sorry i'm just really nosey iv'e never used it on any of my horses but have attempted to clip one once that had been given some and it made that horse far more dangerous than he usually was but i suppose all horses react differently
re the valerian , i found the V-calm supplement given at the max dose was really effective with my horse but he did look "doped" at times
the pure valerian i bought from the health food shop didn't have the same affect at all although i wasn't quite sure of how much to give him so may not have given him enough
sorry i'm just really nosey
iv'e never used it on any of my horses but have attempted to clip one once that had been given some and it made that horse far more dangerous than he usually was but i suppose all horses react differently re the valerian , i found the V-calm supplement given at the max dose was really effective with my horse but he did look "doped" at times
the pure valerian i bought from the health food shop didn't have the same affect at all although i wasn't quite sure of how much to give him so may not have given him enough
_GG_
Well-Known Member
No problem Patterdale....it wasn't worded well as I have said. It was meant, as I thought my next comment alluded to that if you expect explosions, you may make them happen. I just didn't write it very well.
If only we could guarantee what horses would do.
My nickname used to be BouncyBray because it was always me stuck on the mental horses lol
If only we could guarantee what horses would do.
My nickname used to be BouncyBray because it was always me stuck on the mental horses lol
Patterdale
Well-Known Member
Oh I know! Just thought it was a v funny line, we all make them! I was laughing very much with you though, not at
Gamebird
Well-Known Member
Breaking the mould here, perhaps because I've been on both sides of the equation, but sedalin is my friend, unreservedly. I encourage people to give high end doses (often recommended dose x 1.5) for clipping etc but that's a whole different ball game to riding. You may need trial and error to hit a dose that leaves the horse at exactly the right point between sane and sleepy. If you think it's had too much or not enough recalculate and get on it another day!
spacefaer
Well-Known Member
I use valerian (Lincoln do a valerian cordial which is a linseed oil suspension) on our stress head irish draught. It doesn't make a difference to how he rides/jogs, but it chills him out sufficiently to double his appetite -wouldn't touch him if I was trying to ride him after box rest.
When he had 6 weeks in, a couple of summers ago, I gave him Sedalin when I got back on. He was a lovely hack that day -walked out well and didn't feel "doped" at all. I seriously underestimated what effect the Sedalin was having as the following day, I halved the dose and had a hack from hell!
Dose age wise, he's a heavy weight 17.3 RID and had 3ml the first day
When he had 6 weeks in, a couple of summers ago, I gave him Sedalin when I got back on. He was a lovely hack that day -walked out well and didn't feel "doped" at all. I seriously underestimated what effect the Sedalin was having as the following day, I halved the dose and had a hack from hell!
Dose age wise, he's a heavy weight 17.3 RID and had 3ml the first day
Busybusybusy
Well-Known Member
I trialled my horse on sedalin first he's 16'3" thoroughbred and I gave him 2.5 ml initially and he was completely dopy, so then tweaked until I got the dosage right. I am currently giving 1ml & that's just enough to take the edge off so he's not completely stupid. But it does really depend on the horse so it will be trial and error to start with.
Auslander
Well-Known Member
I'm very cautious about using Sedalin to ride after a potentially very nasty accident. The horse over-rode the sedalin, threw a massive wobbly, which ended with it falling over. Despite having over-ridden the dose, it was still sufficiently dopy that it couldn't get up easily, and kept toppling over on me as it tried to sort itself out. I wasn't badly hurt (ached like hell for quite a while though), but it certainly gave me food for thought re doping to get on!
I used the Science Supplements calmer when Alf was coming back into work, and it worked better than anything I've ever tried before.
I used the Science Supplements calmer when Alf was coming back into work, and it worked better than anything I've ever tried before.