how silly is ok when walking while on box rest

[soulfull]

as title really

horse is currently on 6 wks box rest for PSD. when walking out in hand he is mostly good, but the excitement gets too him, so he sometimes has a few playful rears and short bounces

Before I start sedating him I wondered how much you would accept BEFORE sedating.

He really isn't completely stupid and in between he is walking calm as anything

 

[tori252]

I got a broken elbow walking my old horse in hand...

 

[Goldenstar]

I hate walking in hand while they are on box rest
Always wear a crash cap and gloves it's a difficult question how silly is too silly but it only takes a second for them to damage themselves and even worse they can damage you.
I never ask employees to hand walk for this reason not much help I know but I feel for you.

 

[rhino]

While the behaviour is understandable, it is not acceptable. Look at what happened to Puppy on here or others to see what can happen

Hat, gloves, steel toecap boots and a bp. Suitable bridle for the horse

If sedation is necessary, it is necessary.

 

[**Vanner**]

Hmm I don't envy you, my boy was exactly the same. I had gloves, bridle, hat, lunge line the lot in the end in an enclosed courtyard. I didn't in the end sedate but got very close to it after he took out the back wing of another liveries X5 !!!

 

[Puppy]

While the behaviour is understandable, it is not acceptable. Look at what happened to Puppy on here or others to see what can happen

Hat, gloves, steel toecap boots and a bp. Suitable bridle for the horse

If sedation is necessary, it is necessary.

Rhino beat me to it.

PLEASE, don't chance it AT ALL!!

I can't stress how much it isn't worth the risk.

I NEVER in a millions years would have expected my dear girl to have inflicted such an injury on me, but box rest turns saintly horses into devils.

It's had a permanent impact on my life and health. Please don't risk you going through the same thing. Sedate him up to the eyeballs and if in any doubt at all, just don't try it.

 

[charmeroo]

My big horse did two stretches of 6 months and 7 months box rest with PSD. Yes , we walked every single day - and yes, sometimes it was a bit hairy! In view of his size, 17.1 and nearly 800kgs my vet suggested that it would be quite ok, and a lot safer to ride rather than walk in hand. Jolly glad I did as he knocked me flying when I tried to walk in hand. So yes - they will bounce a bit but quite honestly you cannot legislate for every step they take.

 

[Holly Hocks]

My horse has mild PSD. I told the vet at the hospital that she didn't do box rest well and would be impossible to walk in hand - I spoke to my own vet on return who actually understands horses and she told me to turn her out as she was more likely to do damage to herself and me in the box and walking out in hand. She goes out in the day and comes in at night. For me it was a no brainer - the recovery will probably be longer, but to be honest, I prefer the idea of that to being seriously hurt or injured.

 

[wattamus]

Mine's not come out of her box for 6 months now (apart from mucking out/ bandage changes) ive just been told that she'll need to be walked out inh a couple of weeks! She's been a saint on BR and hasnt put a foot wrong at all, but im slightly wary at this
I would sedate firstly i know how gutting it can be if you spend all that time and money getting your horse better, only for them to injure themselves again. And secondly for your sake, it's all very well having a fixed horse but if you cant ride it because its injured you.... lets fac it, it would be a pretty $#!+ situation

 

[maxapple]

My horse was on box rest for 7 months - 3 of those cross tied. He was a saint the whole time.

We managed three days walking in hand - day one was fine, day 2 felt a bit tense, day 3 he flipped. How I got him back in the stable I'm not sure - and we were both still in one piece despite him rearing with a broken leg and striking out at me and meaning to get me.

He was sedated at the time also. I phoned the vet as soon as he was back in his stable - perfectly calm again - and explained there was no way I was risking it again. It meant he had to do an extra 6 weeks box rest but we turned him out in teeny paddocks (stable size) and he was fine.

He's turned back into my gorgeous boy who I'd trust with anyone to handle him - but I'd never walk in hand after box rest again. Far far too dangerous.

 

[MissMincePie&Brandy]

Reading this has given me flashbacks of the time I walked my 17.2hh TB down the lane when he'd been on box rest last year. All was going OK. I'd got to the top of our private lane and had turned round, when a motorbike went past the main road, near where we were and backfired and my boy went totally bazerk. I had a bridle on, and long rope, but I was barely in any control and he was literally lifting me off my feet. By the time we'd made the short distance back, he was sweated up, had spent 5 minutes doing everything he shouldn't have been doing, and I was in a state of exhaustion. Needless to say, I didn't go out of the yard again!

 

[Shantara]

It's not just horses! But ponies too!
We have a tiny little pony who almost dragged one of the stronger girls right off her feet! She was on box rest for a looong time and I don't think I've ever seen such a small thing, look more like a giant war horse on the rampage!
No one got hurt, but they could have done.

If you have to do any leading or whatever, be very careful!! Good luck

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

This is where horse walkers become a god send! At work we bridle the horse and have a lunge line on to punt them on the walker where they can go as mad as they like in the safety of a confined compartment with big barrers between horse and human.

I am currently walking out 2 of my own, one having had 4 months box rest for the second time in his life, the other has been in since February. The 4monther rears and bounces on the spot before throwing himself to the ground to roll then he gets up and is a perfectly lovely horse. He only does that about once a week, the rest of the time he just drops to roll. I'll get him out under saddle when the weather settles down into what ever it is going to do for winter.

The 6monther is a diamond. He won't do a thing if he has a bridle on. Wouldn't fancy my chances in just a headcollar.

At the end of the day it entirely depends on how much nonsense you are willing to take! But don't take any chances. If the horse gets too silly for you to handle then either sedate (I personally hate the idea) or try to turn them out in a small confined area.

 

[Pocket_Rocket]

My boy is also on box rest at the moment and whilst he's not silly to lead he does try to drag me to the field! If my horse reared or did short bounces then I would sedate him it's not worth the risk of injuring you and/or himself. And as others have said suitable footwear, riding hat, gloves, bridle, etc.

 

[angelish]

sedate him it just isn't worth it ,ive just completed 5 months box rest and i got on and rode him but he just got worse
when i first started the walking we got about 10mins away good as gold then he flipped and the only way to get him home was to twitch him with the lunge line and drag him back by his nose
i won't be doing it again

 

[Mahoganybay]

When my mare came off 9 months box rest due to a fractured pedal bone i knew there was no way i could walk her out calmly inhand, so my insurance company paid for a large chunk of sending her to rehab livery for 8 weeks, which included use of a horse walker, swimming, solarium & individual small paddock turnout. Was the best thing i could have done for us both & i would not hesitate again.

Good luck.

 

[5horses2dogsandacat]

Personally I do feel there are 'other' options to box rest. Not always convenient for everyone but I dont feel a horse should be put on box rest for long periods, your just going to be causing the horse to de-condition and extend the healing time.

In a perfect world, if a horse shouldn't be stuffed in a stable for months and months it needs to keep moving, either in a small paddock or enclosed yard from day 1. This way it doesnt have enough room to go crazy and injury itself even more but doesnt get frustrated at being locked up and like a ticking time bomb when it comes to walking in hand. It also allows the horse to move a prevent the de-conditioning, like I mentioned before.

It's a very old fashioned way of thinking, I was speaking to an animal physio today and its very much like the old days. Years ago you went into hospital for a knee replacement, you were stuck in bed for months and months, these days you out of bed literally that day. The same thinking needs to start to be applied to horses.


Sorry not really answering your question, I'd say lunge line, a full body armour.. and good life insurance lol xxx

 

[PeterNatt]

Bridle with a head collar and a lead rope attached each side.

 

[Puppy]

Broken - both eye sockets, nose (quite a few times), sinuses were mullered, both cheek bones smashed, my jaw (multiple times, it was hanging around my chest and my teeth were in a zig zag from all the fractures), the laceration between my nose and mouth was one big gapping hole exposed to the bone. I have had 4 surgeries to rebuild my face, I live in constant pain, both in my face, and more so to my neck that can't even handle day to day jobs. I can't do the sports use to enjoy as a result. I am 3+ stone heavier and as a result of the trauma to my body I have an autoimmune disease that the doctors have yet to manage.

Don't do it. If they are at all lively, just please, don't do it! My girl had stood on the yard quietly for 2 hours of pampering and mucking out before we attempted this 'walk' and she double barreled me in the face.

The horse in question is my horse of a lifetime - I adore her. But boxrest is not natural for them and actually this sort of an outcome is foreseeable enough for me to be kicking myself and regretting it forever.

 

[Tnavas]

I can never understand that if a horse is on box rest why it is being walked - surely that is not box rest! To me box rest is the horse stays in the box until well/sound enough to be turned oout or worked/exercised.

I sometimes think it upsets them more to walked when they have to return to the box.

Definately wear a helmet, gloves and lead in a bridle or at least a lunge cavesson - ad have a long lead.

 

[traceyann]

When mine did six months box rest acp all the way even while he was in his stable as i was mucking out around him wouldnt have dreamed of trying to walk him in hand without acp and he was seventeen and i know him better than he does there no point taking any risks with them or you. i was very stupid i didnt wear a hat or lunge line but he was on twenty acp he was so out of it i dont think he even knew his own name.

 

[soulfull]

Broken - both eye sockets, nose (quite a few times), sinuses were mullered, both cheek bones smashed, my jaw (multiple times, it was hanging around my chest and my teeth were in a zig zag from all the fractures), the laceration between my nose and mouth was one big gapping hole exposed to the bone. I have had 4 surgeries to rebuild my face, I live in constant pain, both in my face, and more so to my neck that can't even handle day to day jobs. I can't do the sports use to enjoy as a result. I am 3+ stone heavier and as a result of the trauma to my body I have an autoimmune disease that the doctors have yet to manage.

Don't do it. If they are at all lively, just please, don't do it! My girl had stood on the yard quietly for 2 hours of pampering and mucking out before we attempted this 'walk' and she double barreled me in the face.

The horse in question is my horse of a lifetime - I adore her. But boxrest is not natural for them and actually this sort of an outcome is foreseeable enough for me to be kicking myself and regretting it forever.

oh my dear that is awful, thank you for being so brave in posting about your injuries

I do always wear hat and gloves, but you are all right it isn't worth it. I know he wouldn't deliberately hurt anyone but he is a bit daft and doesn't always know where his feet are, although he does try.

I will talk to vet about alternatives, the problem is no area is small enough for him not to mess around. I tried turn out in a tiny paddock but he can buck and bounce in an area the size of his stable, even sedated *may have to give him more)

you wouldn't believe that this horse is normally a darling, he just loves life and shows it

 

[lcharles]

My mare is going in for her operation for PSD tomorrow. But my gelding is a nutjob and i have to put the leadrope over his nose to bring him in from the field....he's even worse going out!! x When my mare needs walking out after the op i think the lead rope will be over her nose and may get a 'control' halter if need be x She is highly strung and last week (shes been on 8weeks box rest already) she tried dragging me across the field so she will only be walked out by me! x

its hard to say how silly is sily! x cant wrap them in cotton wool but if they leap about it cant be good!! x if they are a nightmare i'd probably turn out in a super small paddock and increase its size gradually!! x

 

[smellsofhorse]

So far my horse has been on 6 weeks box rest, atleast another month before we start walking.

I don't think he will be good to walk out.
I'm considering moving him to a yard with a walker for a while.
Is the walker ok though?
Continuous walking on a circle?

Considered the rehab options, what percentage will endurance companies pay?

 

[chrissyc]

u know my views, as per the vet and me I rode sun at walk rather than walk in hand as it was safer for all concerned and more control trust your own judgement

 

[SpottedCat]

So far my horse has been on 6 weeks box rest, atleast another month before we start walking.

I don't think he will be good to walk out.
I'm considering moving him to a yard with a walker for a while.
Is the walker ok though?
Continuous walking on a circle?

Considered the rehab options, what percentage will endurance companies pay?

Depends on the injury as to whether walker is ok - check with vet. V useful option if the injury is such that walking in a circle is ok. Def an option I'd consider - I would look into the biggest walker you can find, preferably with an oval track and not a rubber or concrete surface personally.

Rehab options again depends on what your insurance company cover - check with them, no-one else can tell what policy you have!

 

[smellsofhorse]

Depends on the injury as to whether walker is ok - check with vet. V useful option if the injury is such that walking in a circle is ok. Def an option I'd consider - I would look into the biggest walker you can find, preferably with an oval track and not a rubber or concrete surface personally.

Rehab options again depends on what your insurance company cover - check with them, no-one else can tell what policy you have!

thanks.
Yes makes sence

 

[dressagecrazy]

Broken - both eye sockets, nose (quite a few times), sinuses were mullered, both cheek bones smashed, my jaw (multiple times, it was hanging around my chest and my teeth were in a zig zag from all the fractures), the laceration between my nose and mouth was one big gapping hole exposed to the bone. I have had 4 surgeries to rebuild my face, I live in constant pain, both in my face, and more so to my neck that can't even handle day to day jobs. I can't do the sports use to enjoy as a result. I am 3+ stone heavier and as a result of the trauma to my body I have an autoimmune disease that the doctors have yet to manage.

Don't do it. If they are at all lively, just please, don't do it! My girl had stood on the yard quietly for 2 hours of pampering and mucking out before we attempted this 'walk' and she double barreled me in the face.

The horse in question is my horse of a lifetime - I adore her. But boxrest is not natural for them and actually this sort of an outcome is foreseeable enough for me to be kicking myself and regretting it forever.

Heck Puppy, really feel for you.

I also ended up with an injury from walking in hand a box rested horse. The horse in question had been on Box rest for 6 months & had been walking out everyday for 2 months when the accident happened. Im scarred for life but unlike Puppy & luckily for me it's my leg, the only possibility of fixing the massive hoof shaped dent in my leg is surgery but there is no fix for the pain it causes me still 12 months on.

Soon after this i called Leahurst & my vets & told them all i was bringing the box rest to an end. My horse was colicing over & over, i was badly injured & was totally at my wits end.
Never again will i put a horse through such a long stint of box rest, i will always prefer to turn out in a small pen with sedation from now on instead of boxrest.

 

[Toast]

Good god Puppy i remember when this happened!!

After my mare was on box rest for 12 weeks for a broken splint bone i took her out. Taking her out was worse than taking any of the stallions i used to work with to the serving area to collect. In fact we had one near miss when she tried to send herself into orbit and narrowly missed barrelling a baby in a pram. Be careful!
If you have to make sure you take horse out in a bridle or chifney and on a lunge line!
x