inhalers and limited eating

[wizgirl]

Well, where do I start. Wiz has chronic bronchitis and is also 75kgs over weight.

Out comes the muzzle to control his eating and he keeps getting it off despite me buying the posh leather one which buckles. He rubs it off on the tree. Any ideas to keep it on. It is tight and fits well. Moved him to a field without hay in the round feeder and he kicked the gate all night and caused complaints. Would prefer him to be with his firends in the large field,but can only go in with the muzzle. Needs to be out 24 hrs on vets rec.

Also he has been prescibed an inhaler which i use a spacer for. Cannot get him to take this as he throws his head around as soon as you come near it with him He is driving me mad as I want him to get better. Can you help?

 

[annie02]

Couple of things come to mind....
First work off the extra weight with out increasing his breathing - walking, lots of it. In hand, bareback or with a saddle I would try 20 min 5xweek

Second, round feeder and a horse with chronic bronchitis is a BAD mix. Shouldnt be on one if it can be helped at all.

How about a mix of turnout, he is out with his friends 1/2 the day and in a different pen the other 1/2?

As for the medication, that is a tough one. Is it a mask or a spray?

 

[wizgirl]

am excercising at weekends at least 1 hour ride as directed by vet at walk and trot, but struggle to do much more than once in a week day due to working hours and fact that wiz is at least 20 min drive away.

Could do half and half re fields, its just that wiz eats himself senseless when in the field hence the muzzle and need to keep it on as he also decides he then won't be caught either so difficult to swop his fields.

Re inhaler, wiz has a spray in a spacer over his nose.

He is a very intelligent fellow who loves to keep us on our toes

 

[annie02]

Hmm, thats a tough one.

If you can keep him off the round bale that should help a lot. As for the inhaler I dont think you are ever going to get him to like it, maybe just accpet it over time. I'm sorry I dont have much of a suggestion for that other than put the spacer over his nose as often as you can but dont always spray, it may be the spary he dosent like?