Need box rest advice please help!!!

astroud

New User
Joined
3 March 2011
Messages
8
Visit site
My nearly 5 year old is on day 7 of a 3 month box rest due to suspensory and check ligament injury on hind. My problem is that he has to be led out twice a day in hand for 5 mins building up to 25mins twice a day.

Whilst he is being very good in stable he is a handful when trying to walk him out. Has anybody any advice, has anyone used calmers or woud you just persevere.

Any advice appreciated as i am stressed!!!!!
 
My TB is on box rest this week and has been going mad in the stable when the other horses are turned out, my vet gave me some Sedalin to give to him at this time and it has really done the job I think theres a product called ACP too, speak to your vet about him and hopefully they may prescribe you something
 
I had a 3 yr old that had to have 3 months box rest, after 1 month she was kicking the stable down, vet gave me acp tablets and they were fantastic, took the edge off without making her too dopey, did all the leading in-hand on it too, this was a few years ago but i'm sure your vet will know what to give you.
 
When mine was on box rest for 3 months, I found that doing in hand walking was also difficult - mine was a real handful too and I struggled to control him safely.

I tried giving calmers to help (but I gave them in a paste form as and when I needed it - so gave about 30 mins to 1 hour before go for a walk). I found that this helped to take the edge off him but I know there are calmer supplements such as TopSpec Calmer that can be fed on a daily basis that may assist you and would perhaps be more economical.

Had a look at the link also posted and that looks quite promising - having had the same issue I would def speak to your vet to see what they suggest and also if they could advise on the product on the link....

When I was allowed to start introducing a very restricted amount of turnout I also used ACPs to stop my horse from exploding and undoing all the hard work of box rest.

So I used a mix of ACP for turnout (as was only going out for short periods in his own small paddock on his own) and calmers for doing the in hand and subsequent short ridden work, until he could finally go out in the field for a minimum of half a day (I didnt give acp and calmers at the same time though!)

Based on my experience, it would def be of benefit to try calmers/maybe acp if your vet recommends it as walking a horse out that is on full box rest is hard work!
 
Last edited:
Acp lots of my cob did 7 months box rest on about twenty aday far to many but kept me safe when mucking out around him. speak to your vet how many you can give safely
 
ACP tablets are no longer licensed for use with horses - although they are still available for dogs. It is illegal for your vet to supply them. Sedalin is the drug now prescribed - we can thank the EU for this!
 
Speak to your vet as my vet told me that if my horse was being dangerous then to half the time i did but ride and build up much slower. She felt that if he was bad on the ground he would do more damage to himself by legging it than he would doing much less time with me on him.
 
You could try sedaline or acp (My vet gave me injectable acp for my horse, but not sure she was 'legally' supposed to!)

Hand walking is really difficult. My horse has been on boxt rest for 4 months with a fractured leg - we started hand walking last week and have had to stop altogether after it started well (dosed up on sedaline) but then one day he just exploded (Think karate kid moves!)

I'm not prepared to risk my safety or his leg (vertical rears don't help heal a broken leg) so have told the vet its not possible for us to do! We are in a different position as its not actually necessary for healing wheras with a tendon issue it might be. Talk to your vet and get their advice. good luck!
 
Since when has Acp not been legal this is news to me my vet still gives them to me. Sedlin didnt work for me must say. Im worried now
 
Top