Poorly Ben update and a quick question...

[Queenbee]

`Hi All,

If you didn't catch the thread the other day I have posted the link below:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=494647

a very brief rundown is that I went to turn him out on friday morning and his off fore leg was a tad puffy above the fetlock (at the back) but no lameness, he came in from the field, a wee bit lame and still puffy but had not looned it around the field that day. So I popped an icepack on him and put him to bed. Since then he has been in on box rest, ice packs - 3 a day, arnica and witchazel topical gel, devils claw (the swelling and degree of lameness was not to severe) and valerian to just help relax him a bit in the stable. vet reckons he has just tweaked the ligament and has reccomended box rest for a further 5 days after the lameness and swelling is gone. Well the swelling has gone down and I was really chuffed that it wasn't there this morning and I will be taking him for a walk inhand to check how he is going on his pins when I get up the yard later.

I am still waiting for my farrier to come and trim his hooves, sods law is that for possibly the first time in the 10 years I have used the guy, he was on holiday! He is back tonight though and ringing me to come and trim my 2.


I will be keeping up with the arnica and witchazel for a few days and the devils claw, will continue at maximum dose, to continue to minimise any inflammation and I still ice packed his leg this morning even though the heat and swelling is gone, but my question is: would you still continue with this for the entire 'rest period'? I can't see any reason why not to, and I would rather do it and it have no positive effect, than not do it and it have a negative effect.


Anyway, what would you do re: the icepacks?

And I just want to say how very very very proud I am of ben for being such a brave and calm boy being cooped up in the stable, I know its not nice but he is making my life easy as possible to care for him

P.S. Healing vibes appreciated too

 

[rhino]

Oh glad it's nothing serious

Personally, yes I would keep up the treatment, if it's only 5 days (I'm more than 5 weeks into similar treatment for a more serious ligament injury!); it can't do any harm and may help.

Hope he's back up and running by the weekend

 

[JFTDWS]

ooh yes, we all know how useful arnica and witchazel are... It's scientifically proven and all that

 

[Queenbee]

JFTD, quite frankly I couldn't give two hoots whether it is or is not scientifically proven or not. The fact is that it is in an alcohol suspension which WILL help cool the leg, and I would rather put something on and it not work, than NOT put it on when in fact it could help. I am doing all the other 'actually scientifically proven stuff' and for a few quid I really don't see the problem with putting something on his leg that just might help.

I am not all namby pamby herbalist, I am all for a good shot of antibiotics, a hefty dose of bute, a royal slug of chemical wormer etc, I despise useless crappy 'organic lice powder' that couldn't kill a dead lice by squishing the tub on it! But there was a tub on the shelf at the shop where I was getting my ton of cool packs and vetwraps and I thought what the heck, may as well, can't hurt.

Rhino, yes I am really glad he is on the mend although I dread day 1 of turnout after injuries such as these even though his is minor, and I can't section him into a small paddock because he WILL career around like a t wat if in there on his own and if I put Ebony in with him she will just jump out of the paddock and THEN he will still career around like a T wat, so will just have to bite the bullet and let him in the big paddock when the time comes! I am so glad its not major, I really feel for you, 5 weeks How long then till you can ride? I dread to think what would have happened if it was ebony, BOX and REST just wouldn't go hand in hand for her, I would have to have her off her head on sedative to make it through such a long time.

Healing vibes to you and your horsey too ((((((VIBES))))))

 

[rhino]

I am so glad its not major, I really feel for you, 5 weeks How long then till you can ride?
Healing vibes to you and your horsey too ((((((VIBES))))))

Thanks for the vibes, as well as the check ligament damage there is sdft involvement too 12 - 18 months estimated rehabilitation time but due to boy's age (20) I have made the decision not to ride again regardless of outcome. He will be perfectly happy being retired

Another week or so box rest (walking out in hand 2xdaily for 10 mins) and then allowed to turnout. Current thinking is I will just turn him out in the school with a buddy for a few hours a day to begin with as our fields are really muddy and hilly and he is an idiot at the best of times in the field (though 100% to handle). He has been very chilled during his box rest.

Thanks for asking and hope Ben continues to heal well