Re-introducing to grass after box rest

[maxapple]

My horse is currently on box rest with a fractured leg. He did 10 weeks cross tied and by the time we have the next x-rays he will have done 5 month in total box rest (I have absolutely everything crossed that we can start turning him out)

At our last xray 2 weeks ago, the vet did say we could start hand grazing him, but despite being on sedaline, he got more difficult to handle over a few days and we had to stop taking him out after vertical rears / king fu moves. His leg is just not healed enough yet to risk it.

Hopefully in 4 weeks he will be allowed to go out in a small paddock (the size of 2 stables I believe!!) I just wonder if there is anything we should start doing in preparation as he hasn't seen grass for 5 months and will then be going out on good spring grass.

I can prepare the paddock and put my other pony in it to eat it down I guess.

 

[Izzwizz]

You could pick some grass by hand for him to eat so he gets some.

 

[celia]

Personally I wouldn't graze the paddock down too much (I'm assuming you'll introduce the turnout gradually) as you might be glad of good grass to tempt him to eat rather than trying to run about! Also, it might be difficult to find enough at the minute, but filling a bucket with cut grass for in his stable should help to reintroduce it to his system, if grazing in-hand is no longer an option. I hope everything goes smoothly for you when he does get out!