Horse becoming dangerous in stable...

[barkinghorse]

William has been on box rest for 9 days now, and is becoming quite dangerous in the stable.
I have to sedate him to muck him out, but even that doesn't seem to be working anymore.
I just need him to be in until monday, which is when his stiches come out.
Rang the vet and she said that if the sedalin is no longer working, turn him out and hope his stitches don't burst, as safety for me is more of a priority.
Now the snow has arrived i can't chance turning him out as he is bad to lead at the best of times and the yard is a death trap at the moment
Any ideas PLEASE!!!!!!!!
Jo

 

[the watcher]

Is there not a spare stable you could put him into, at least while you are mucking out his? Does he have company that he gets along with -it makes a huge difference?

 

[JustKickOn]

what about sweeping a path of snow with a rough brush and then gritting it??

do you have a menage you could put him in for an hour or so??

 

[barkinghorse]

The sand paddock is a way away from the yard, and we had thick ice yesterday, and today snow on top. everything is concrete so it's like an ice rink.
Jo

 

[barkinghorse]

There are no free stables, otherwise that would have been ideal.
All his friends are around him as no one has turned out for over a week, and they do tie them up outside his stable so he can play.
Jo

 

[hussar]

Can you just deep litter him till the snow clears enough to lead him out? Not ideal, I know, but your safety comes first.

Has he got boredom-busting toys?

 

[spaniel]

Id be deep littering too. It will mean a serious shovelling out next week but for the next few days iwould just chuck clean on top and then leave him be.

 

[barkinghorse]

He's on rubber matting so hardly has any bed anyway. My problem is the tack room/ feedroom is at the back of the stable and i have to keep him from jumping on me with a brush!!!!
It's becoming a millitary operation!!
Jo

 

[filly190]

If it is that bad, just throw his food over, deep litter him and just get the water in. At least he is in, may be stinking in the stable but he is warm and safe.

I would be tempted to distract him with carrots while you quickly go in and out, and I would'nt worry about the bed getting ditched, you can deal with that when he is out.

 

[barkinghorse]

That's what i was thinking of doing, but felt mean.
Since you have suggested it, i think thats what i will do, and i won't feel so bad.
Thanks
Jo

 

[filly190]

Dont feel mean, your horse cant come to any harm, besides if you turn him out in this weather, you may have a load more vets bills.

Some horses really dislike being stuck in, some get depressed and wont eat, I would consider that worse than what your horse is doing. He is just telling the world, he is not happy. Let him stink, he'll be fine.

 

[Triskar]

Not an answer for now, but might it be an idea in future to target train him so that he'll stand at a target for a reward, then if you're ever in the same situation, you would be able to tell him to stand at his target rather than attack! The conditioning is very strong if done consistently.

 

[Scarlett1980]

I wouldn't be feeding him at alll while he's in. Just pop his hay and water in and tie him at the front of the stable when you need to get to your tack room.

Poor you, doesn't sound like fun at all!

 

[Louby]

Hi Jo,
How awful for you and I thought I had it bad. Jays done 12 weeks now and I have to feed him a load of carrots to muck out and I pick grass and put it in a haynet to occupy him whilst Im in the stable. He isnt dangerous though, just mithering me. I'd either do as the others say and make sure hes tied up when you have to go in the stable. Jay has a headcollar on at all times whilst Im arround and I have a lead rope handy just incase I have to grab him or tie him up quickly.
Im just going to post about a calmer called Naf Magic but your boy will be out before it had chance to work I think.
You have to put your safety first even if it means William has to 'rough it' for a few days. He wont care if his beds messy as long as he has food and water.
Take care
Louise

 

[barkinghorse]

Hi Louise,
Angela gave me some Sedalin but it doesn't touch him! Rang her yeaterday and she told me to turn him out if he's messing around, as she knows him well!
He's 16.3 and thinks he's 12.2 and yesterday he was tring to break into canter in a 12x12 stable!!
Have left him to stink today, but will have to get in there tomorrow as i can't stand a dirty stable, Angela always comments that he live at the Ritz....Hmm maybe i have too much time on my hands and need a foalie..........

Jo

 

[frannieuk]

Hey barkinghorse,
Just a thought but have you tried any Tempralax?

 

[barkinghorse]

For me or him??
Jo

 

[bunnereeny]

Sounds like hard work but when it's icy at our yard we chuck dirty bedding doown as a path for the horses to walk on which stops them from slipping.

If the sedative is not really working then you could always sedae him which might take a little of the edge off and then turn him out on the muck path.

Has you sand school ised over as well though as that would be a problem.

Where are his stitches

 

[random_rider]

[ QUOTE ]

Has he got boredom-busting toys?

[/ QUOTE ]

I got my friebnd a lik-it that like hangs from the stable roof if that would b any use to you! Probally useless but o well!!!!

 

[barkinghorse]

His stitches are around the whithers area, on the left he has 2 lots close to his spine on his back and on the right, again 2 lots close to his spine and 1 lot on his rump.
Hence the reason turning out is the final option as if he arches his back and fly bucks the stitches may give way.
Can't turnout today, sand paddock is as hard as a road, so bust tendons would be on the menu tonight!! (espcially after so long in!)
Jo