Transition

[Bevjane]

Hi all after 10 weeks box rest for my 8 year old ex racer TB who sustained a front pedal bone fracture, the vet has advised he can finally walk out for 5 mins a day gradually going up to 15 mins, walk only, well he didn’t get the vets memo on walk and gentle! The first day was overall quite good, walked and only one episode of rear, buck and bronco at the end of the rope, then 2 days of lovely walking, no antics, then today, well 5-6 episodes of walk/rear/buck/bronco! With legs flying everywhere! Now I will say he’s no malance there at all, he does it literally on the spot, dosnt full me around or try and hurt me at all, he is just excited to be out so can't get mad with him, but as anyone got any tips on things I can do to prevent him doing it? I walk him in a bridle plus head collar and I wear gloves and riding hat. Do worry when he first goes in the field as don’t want him to agrivate his current injury or get a new one ?

 

[Red-1]

When first walking out after box rest, I always use 2 people, 1 each side, with a long rope attached to the bit. You also need some way to stop the bit from pulling through, so either full cheeks or lunge rein over the head, or rope through the first ring and clipped to the second.

With this set up you can be relaxed and not have a tight hold, if (when) the horse has a skit each person can keep the horse in line so it doesn't end up running a circle and getting control.

With very tricky horses, it keeps both handlers safe as each one pulls it away from the other.

I would rather have this set up and then relax and not need it than have just one person and a flailing horse.

 

[be positive]

2 people is fine if you have a second available that you trust which I rarely had so a few other suggestions that worked, the last ex racehorse was good if walked on the hard in a chifney but he exploded when his feet touched grass or the arena, keeping him marching on the yard was boring but safest, we were doing 2x 10mins daily maybe a bit longer before he went out, the other one could not wear a chifney but responded well to a tiny dose of sedalin every day, he started each walk on the yard but as he relaxed we could venture into the arena on days when it was not blowing a hooley and he was good with 2 people when I had help.
Both were sedated for initial turn out, the tb with a heavy dose of sedalin, the other by the vet and both were fine although they did still run about they soon got their heads down to graze.

 

[oldie48]

My sharer has had to go through this with a big strong horse, she used some sedalin but moved him to a yard with indoor school, where he was much easier to handle. Not possible for most people though, I suspect. She also got permission from the vet to get on board and found him easier to ride in walk than walk in hand but that also may not be possible for you.

 

[Branna]

With mine, we started with just walking up and down the yard when we were on 5/10 mins and used a bit of sedalin when we started walking down the lane. My vet is also quite happy in most cases for you to get on board sooner rather than later when just walking if it is likely to be safer.

 

[sportsmansB]

We used to use ACP for this and it worked and was much cheaper than sedalin, but I don't think its allowed any more?!
But the most important thing is that you are safe, and your horse doesnt get away from you and go for a complete hooley and hurt himself
I'd be doping him a wee bit until I could get him out enough that he isn't just a ball of pent up energy.
Try and manage the environment that you are walking him in so that it is as calm as possible with little to set him off.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

2 people and sedalin is what I have done previously when walking in hand.

 

[Bevjane]

We used to use ACP for this and it worked and was much cheaper than sedalin, but I don't think its allowed any more?!
But the most important thing is that you are safe, and your horse doesnt get away from you and go for a complete hooley and hurt himself
I'd be doping him a wee bit until I could get him out enough that he isn't just a ball of pent up energy.
Try and manage the environment that you are walking him in so that it is as calm as possible with little to set him off.

Thanks for that, I put him on top spec calmer about a week ago and think it’s taking affect as this morning he was an angel, didn’t push it, just had about 5 mins walking but he was good, the only good thing when he does have a rear and buck he does it on the spot and doesn’t try and drag me anywhere and I do wear my riding hat. Thanks

 

[Bevjane]

2 people and sedalin is what I have done previously when walking in hand.

Yes the vet has suggested Relaquin but don’t really want to sedate him everyday unless I have to, going to pick some up off her though just in case, thanks

 

[Bevjane]

When first walking out after box rest, I always use 2 people, 1 each side, with a long rope attached to the bit. You also need some way to stop the bit from pulling through, so either full cheeks or lunge rein over the head, or rope through the first ring and clipped to the second.

With this set up you can be relaxed and not have a tight hold, if (when) the horse has a skit each person can keep the horse in line so it doesn't end up running a circle and getting control.

With very tricky horses, it keeps both handlers safe as each one pulls it away from the other.

I would rather have this set up and then relax and not need it than have just one person and a flailing horse.

Thank you for your advice, 2 people unfortunately is not an option as on a very small yard and only the yard owner and myself, yard owner in their 70’s, he has been so much better over the last 2 days, after being on top spec calmer so hopefully turning the corner, thanks

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Yes the vet has suggested Relaquin but don’t really want to sedate him everyday unless I have to, going to pick some up off her though just in case, thanks

You might find he will settle after about a week of being sedated everyday, I think I gave 5mls about an hour before I wanted to walk or I gave 2mls in the morning and another 2mls in the evening to keep one calm, after about a week I didn't need to sedate she just settled down but it made it safe to get her out of the stable, I find it just puts your mind at ease as the last thing you want is them injuring themselves again by messing around.

 

[Bevjane]

You might find he will settle after about a week of being sedated everyday, I think I gave 5mls about an hour before I wanted to walk or I gave 2mls in the morning and another 2mls in the evening to keep one calm, after about a week I didn't need to sedate she just settled down but it made it safe to get her out of the stable, I find it just puts your mind at ease as the last thing you want is them injuring themselves again by messing around.

Thank you, may try it for few days and see how he is.

 

[Bevjane]

2 people is fine if you have a second available that you trust which I rarely had so a few other suggestions that worked, the last ex racehorse was good if walked on the hard in a chifney but he exploded when his feet touched grass or the arena, keeping him marching on the yard was boring but safest, we were doing 2x 10mins daily maybe a bit longer before he went out, the other one could not wear a chifney but responded well to a tiny dose of sedalin every day, he started each walk on the yard but as he relaxed we could venture into the arena on days when it was not blowing a hooley and he was good with 2 people when I had help.
Both were sedated for initial turn out, the tb with a heavy dose of sedalin, the other by the vet and both were fine although they did still run about they soon got their heads down to graze.

Thank you, I lead him in a bridle as well as a head collar and it seems to work well, he dosnt drag me around or try a go/bolt he seems to do his moves on the spot, he does appear more settled today as think the calmer is taking some effect, I’m only walking in the lorry car park at the mo as the vet said don’t try him on grass or the ménage as will explode, think will use the sedation for when I can get in the ménage and definitely when he goes out.

 

[ihatework]

Sedalin as said.
If you are on your own a roller with side reins can help too

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Thank you, I lead him in a bridle as well as a head collar and it seems to work well, he dosnt drag me around or try a go/bolt he seems to do his moves on the spot, he does appear more settled today as think the calmer is taking some effect, I’m only walking in the lorry car park at the mo as the vet said don’t try him on grass or the ménage as will explode, think will use the sedation for when I can get in the ménage and definitely when he goes out.

Mine would rear bolt upright it's not much fun!

 

[Goldenstar]

I use a roller and side reins in this situation its a nightmare but you do get through it
do you have another stable a little distance away .
Sometimes you can con them by moving them between stables over and over .

 

[Bevjane]

I use a roller and side reins in this situation its a nightmare but you do get through it
do you have another stable a little distance away .
Sometimes you can con them by moving them between stables over and over .

I don’t unless I use my other horses stable when they go out, might be worth a try thank you