Returning to turn out after box rest

[Saza36]

Just looking for some advice really…

My mare has been on box rest for the last 3 months and the time has come for her to finally go back out in the field

Unfortunately she seems to be very nervous now going out. She will go out to begin with and start to graze with the other horses in her field. But after a couple of hours she suddenly starts calling out and galloping round (this is the last thing I need as she’s recovered from a soft tissue injury)

Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing or any advice on how to encourage her to settle and get used to being back out.

I need her to come round to the idea of staying out again asap as my yard is due to change routine soon meaning all the other horses will be out overnight and I don’t really want her to be in on her own for that long

Any advice welcome - we are currently just trying her out for a couple of hours each day and getting her in before she starts to stress just so she isn’t completely overwhelmed.. I’m hoping we can gradually increase her time she is spending out however any other ideas that may help are very welcome indeed

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Gradually increasing time out is all you can do. Ask the vet for some sedalin. It should take the edge off her for about 6 hours . Hopefully that will help her get back into her routine.

 

[Birker2020]

Yes I second that. Sedalin is great for turnout after a period of confinement and its what my horse will have next week.

Give it to your horse 40 mins before turnout.

 

[eggs]

I use Sedalin and as Birker says it needs to be given at least 40 minutes before turning her out.

I generally start with hand grazing them for a bit and then turn out with a quiet companion and gradually build up the time out.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Gradually increasing time out is all you can do. Ask the vet for some sedalin. It should take the edge off her for about 6 hours . Hopefully that will help her get back into her routine.

This, exactly this.
It was the route I took with my calm but excited boy, it was the route my friend took with her excited post Keratoma surgery idiot and the way my friend went with her highly strung SJ mare recovering from a Navicular fracture. All three benefitted from this calm, gentle reintroduction.

 

[Birker2020]

I plan to turn Lari out initially for an hour or two, then half a day.