Help with getting a horse back into work after an injury

[Ellie101218]

Hello! I’m after some help and advice please. I’m not a horsey person (please forgive me!) but we have a horse for our teenage daughter. Unfortunately, she sustained an injury from another horse in the field and was kicked just above her knee. She has been stabled for probably 6 weeks now but is very strong and unpredictable, as expected, now. We are just walking her and will try to get her back into a field on her own maybe next week before we reintroduce her back into the original field with the other horses. Can anyone recommend any calmers that work? She is quite an anxious horse as it is but her injury and having time off has heightened that so we’ll probably need something she can have regularly with feed. Any other advice or suggestions on how we move forward would be great. Thanks

 

[P.forpony]

In my experience calmers seem to be a bit of a trial and error thing with different horses responding to different things. Just as an example I've seen calming cookies make no difference whatsoever on some horses, but on others they work brilliantly.
Lots of companies offer samples so it might be worth checking around and experimenting before you end up with an expensive tub of supplement that doesn't work on your horse.

I'd suggest you will notice a massive improvement just from reintroducing turnout. Being in for 6 weeks is enough to drive most horses potty. The reintroduction to turnout is the most stressful (for us!) with the risk of reinjury. If you think she's going to go out and throw shapes, speak to your vet and get some sedalin. I'm not a fan of sedating horses but its definitely preferable to another 6 weeks box rest.
And it might be worth seeing if you can borrow a friend for her. If there's a calm chilled out companion she will probably be more settled than out by herself.

Hope it all goes well for you.

 

[blitznbobs]

I’d be inclined to talk to the vet and get some sedalin for turn out tbh

 

[sbloom]

Do you have anyone who can help you hands on? Being a non horsey parent of horsey teens is a baptism of fire and you need the right help, horses are really complicated as you're finding out! Most horses that are anxious, that aren't on box rest, have issues in their body that, as a prey animal, make them hypervigilant (or occasionally shut down) and in fight or flight mode. Box rest exacerbates that. I'm sure calmers and the right help will get you there, but don't just look at it as a return to work, see it as a chance to improve on her mind set through making her body more functional . For some basics there's this free course run by one of my mentors - it's informal, and English is her second language, but there is gold here (and if you find and follow my page on FB I share a lot of stuff that helps with rehab) - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1057026028680817. There might even be a rehab specialist or other trainer in your area that can take you forwards in learning more about this sort of approach.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Agree with above speak to the vet and get some sedalin a shop bought calmer will literally do nothing, I would also consider putting her in a small field alone for the first few days even if it's just for a short amount of time while you are there and keep an eye on her, being put out in a big field with other horses is very exciting after being on box rest.

In my experience its a much safer option.

 

[Goldie's mum]

Hello Ellie, welcome to the forum.

I'd definitely ask your vet for advice. Mine does phone consultations free of charge, especially if it's a follow-up question for something he already knows about. I just leave a message with his receptionist & he rings me when he's going through his messages and paperwork at the end of the day.

 

[Birker2020]

Hello! I’m after some help and advice please. I’m not a horsey person (please forgive me!) but we have a horse for our teenage daughter. Unfortunately, she sustained an injury from another horse in the field and was kicked just above her knee. She has been stabled for probably 6 weeks now but is very strong and unpredictable, as expected, now. We are just walking her and will try to get her back into a field on her own maybe next week before we reintroduce her back into the original field with the other horses. Can anyone recommend any calmers that work? She is quite an anxious horse as it is but her injury and having time off has heightened that so we’ll probably need something she can have regularly with feed. Any other advice or suggestions on how we move forward would be great. Thanks

I've used zyklene sachets before now, they have mares milk in the forrmation which gives horses a natural calming effect. Or like someone said, sedalin or ACP in syringe or tablet form. ACP can be a bit of trial and error to work out correct dosage, I used it at vets recommended rate (think from memory it was 14 but might be wrong) and the horse in question had his legs splayed out and could hardly walk, hence he did not get turned out for a few hours.

Zylkene Equine Zylkene Equine is a natural product derived from the milk protein casein which has been developed to help horses and ponies overcome difficult or stressful situations. Equine has not been associated with side effects such as sedation at the recommended daily intake, is manufactured to human pharmaceutical standards (GMP) and is hypoallergenic preservative free and lactose free. Causes of stress in horses/ certain situations can be very stressful for some horses including: farrier visits, routine dentistry / teeth rasping, travelling, prolonged confinement e.g. box rest, weaning, 'breaking' / training,visiting or riding in a new environment and new experiences e.g. meeting dogs a new structure in the yard exposure to new horses and people. How do horses react to stress?- Most horses will react instinctively in the face of perceived danger to escape or flee from the threat and protect themselves / if they are unable to get away they might respond with aggression. What can I do for my horse? If you think your horse may be showing signs of stress first contact your veterinary surgeon who will be able to tell you if there is a medical reason for the behaviour/ your vet will also be able to discuss management options with you. This should not be used in food producing animals.

 

[HannahB]

Get her in the field mine went crazy after 2wks box rest for lameness, i was advised to take her for a long walk to tire her out before leaving in the field so she wouldn't go charging off again and hurt herself. A long walk was the much cheaper option than sedatives