Tips on keeping a horse healthy on box rest

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MiCsarah

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Title says it all really. My pony is going to have to be on box rest for about a month after an operation and have never had to look after a pony on box rest for that long. So please any help and advice needed. Any ways to stop boredom aswell would be good.
 
Mine has had long periods of box rest. Does your horse have a room with a view? Does help when they can see the comings and goings of people and horses, well it did my horse. Dont overfeed as they dont need any excess weight on their limbs, best to give small nets and often. I didnt give my mare any feed apart from a handful of Happy Hoof with which to have her supplements. Treat balls and veg, eg turnip/swede hung from a string are boredom breakers. I dont feed lickits as had to be careful with my horse's weight. Spend time with them grooming etc. Radio can sometimes help too, hope that gives you a few ideas.
 
Turnips and swedes a great idea, keep them entertained for hours. Is he/ she allowed to be hand walked? Massage therapy to keep muscles working is a great idea, especially if they have to stay in for a while before being allowed to be walked. Speak to your vet about anything like massage therapy before it's done though.
 
thankyou, yes he does have a room with a view, he can watch what goes on in the yard and the cows in the field. He will probably always have a friend with him and they have bars in between so they can talk to each other and even have a groom over the door. Might get him a little radio aswell
 
Not to sure on hand walking yet, hes having his hocks fused so has to stay in to make sure it stays clean and can then go out into a stable sized paddock so I'm hoping he can do some sort of walking
 
Ted has a plastic mirror and will spend ages staring at his 'friend' and sleeps next to the mirror. It seems to keep him calm and happy, although at first he was scared of the 'other horse', but he got used to it within a matter of minutes. He wasn't on box rest or injured though. If your horse is excitable it may not be worth risking installing a mirror as the reaction to it may cause strain on the affected/injured area etc.. Ted loves his mirror it was a really good investment as he weaves much less now. My sisters horse also likes the mirror if he goes in Ted's stable.
 
Bundle of thanks about all the information and adding useful knowledge to treat and brought up our horse well.You have also a nice breed of horse.
 
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