Tendon injury - we have progress!!!

[GT_02]

My old boy has been on box rest since early October, following a DDFT injury sustained in the field. After his most recent scan this morning, the vet has finally agreed that I can start walking him in hand!! Although he's been an absolute saint in his stable and taken his confinement in really good spirits, I'm so pleased for him that he can now go out for a daily leg stretch. The plan is to walk him in hand for he next 2 months, then (providing he is still comfortable and sound) I can start turning him out in a restricted paddock, and lightly hacking him again.

So, any suggestions on how I can persuade him to stay calm on our walks? I have a feeling he's going to go loop-the-loop as soon as I get him out

My vet would rather I didn't use ACP/Sedalin and whilst I can stop him running off, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to stop the usual bucking, prancing and farting he loves to do when he feels well

All suggestions gratefully received

 

[ha903070]

I know exactly what you mean - we had this problem with our youngster who since being 10 months old and slicing stright through her tendon in the field spent 6 months on box rest and having hydrotherapy.
Then came the very daunting task of walking this now 1.5 year old out in hand twice a day, initially only for 10 minutes then building up to 45 mins twice a day.

Only advice I can give is make sure you do it when the yard is quiet as anything going on set our young one into serious excitement - I'm hoping your horse is a bit older and more sensible than a baby??
If she got even a little silly it was straight into the stable for a calm down and then back out again after she settled. Not ideal but it worked ok. It took along time and in and out of the stable but she did manage to get into a routine mostly that went ok.

Good luck - its great to see them coming back from injury no matter how slowly it is. And even more pleasing when they get to go out for the first few times!!

 

[BeckyDiamond]

Had same problem with my TB who injured hind suspensory. I led out in hand in a bridle but had real problems and it became dangerous so had to resort to a calmer. Got some Equistro Equaliser (think it was called) from the vets (think it's also available from feed merchants) and that did the trick - contains magnesium and L Triptaphan. May be worth a try - better to have him on calmer short term and have him manageble rather than risk aggravation to injury. Was able to take my boy off the calmer as soon as we were able to up work rate

Good luck and wishing your boy speedy recovery

 

[GT_02]

Thanks for your replies

I took him out this morning and he was 'fresh' to say the least! You'd think he'd know better at his age - he's 21! I've spoken to the vet and we have agreed to give him some ACP as a short term measure - there's no point him doing further damage to himself (or me!!) by pratting about. I'm looking forward to getting on his back again - I think I may have slightly more control