Injured horse

evilmavis

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21 September 2005
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I went to see my old horse today as have been told that he has an injury to his front right tendon sheath... the lady who has him is not on a stable yard, he is on her land but really doesnt have a clue of what to do with him.

After seeing him today it was decided that i would take him back as i have a stable and she doesn't, the vet has said he needs box rest, also where he is at present he is own his own and looking really sad and painfully thin.

Anyhow i have spoken to the vet and he said he should be ok after box rest, he has not damaged his tendon sheath just very close to it and the wound needs to be kept very clean, on top of all this he damaged his rear left tendon a few months ago so he is very wobbly at the moment. He is on bute and antibiotics and the vet is coming back out on Tuesday to re do the bandage. I am collecting him on Wednesday morning and bringing him home.

Is there any other advice you can give me for this poor boy? Yes he needs box rest, feeding and lots and lots of TLC but anything else? I am not looking for him to ever be a riding horse again, just need to make sure he is well looked after. I now feel really guilty for letting him go to a home like that but the lady came across that she knew what she was doing with TB's...
 
I'd want to be there when the vet comes back so you can speak to them directly regarding his long term care. I applaud you for taking on the responsibility of your old horse and not doing what many others would do in walking away.
 
I only let him go as he was bullying my yearling so bad he was making the youngster run through electric tape in blind panic... Now i have my yearling and a 6 month old colt who i can put together and i also have a broodmare that can now be put out with him when he is well enough to go out! She wont take any messing around!!

Is there anything else i can do for him whilst on box rest, he will have boredom toys etc and ad lib hay but i dont want him to start stressing and make himself worse
 
For the box rest, which hopefully will not need to be too long, be careful with feeding even if he needs to put on weight do not be tempted to give him anything that may heat him up as he will get more stressed. Ad lib hay, some high fibre feed or chaff and vit/mins or a balancer. To help with boredom pick grass and nettles are good also. Swedes, carrots, apples etc.
 
Would he use a treat ball? Put some high fibre nuts in it as part of the forage rations.
I had one horse who wouldn't go near one and hid in the corner!
 
When mine was injured I would bring another horse in for few hours each day for company.Maybe yours are stabled at night now so he will have some company during evening hours.
If hes on straw hide carrots in his bedding or hay net(not to many due to sugar content).:)
 
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