Turning out first time in 13 weeks

[Hormonal Filly]

Basically want to pick your brains. So sorry for the long post!
My gelding has been on box rest for 13 weeks due to tearing his SFDT. He has been gradually built up to hacking up to 1 and a half hours a day and vet came last week is very happy with his progress and said to start turning him out in a small area.

Issue is, hes not a calm horse turned out. Hes chilled as anything in his stable as hes now use to it but obviously its cruel to keep him in forever. He damaged his hind suspensory in 2018 and then his SFDT injury October 2019 all from pratting around in the field so you can see why I’m so worried about turning back out.

In-between him injuring his SFDT in October I had my other horse put to sleep who he was turned out for the last 2 years. I will add, I moved to this yard thinking I’d own both forever so never thought of logistics of having one on its own. My current livery yard we all have our own paddocks, most horses are on their own and very calm and a few are in together. The only issue is it’s all big paddocks so there is a lot of space between the horses. There is no option to put him in with anything else but he does usually have neighbours although one neighbour left a month ago and YO doesn’t want to re rent the stable yet.

My usual winter field has been rested with a fair amount of grass so thought about fencing half off but the 2 horses in the field next door are always galloping around and have always encouraged mine too. Those are out 24/7 but when it rains they’re kept in 24/7 for weeks (owners choice) so he’d be going out without any friends nearby or in eyesight. Rather than put him out there straight away (and risk injury more so I think) the YO has allowed me to use a small paddock right by the stables full of grass for a few days until he needs it again.

Today I gave him lots of calmer which usually knocks him out and he went out for 20 minute at 8am, very calm and happy but he soon started pratting around and was desperate to come in so bought him in, he was happy in his box. Tomorrow I’ll do the same but put him out later so another horse (hopefully) is out close by and see if a friend can get him in at 10ish when I’m at work.

I thought about moving yards, but there are very very limited about of decent yards in my area. I’ve honestly been through every yard within 45 minutes’ drive. Oddly enough most are herd turnout and he just is to unreliable to catch at times and to mental, worse so in a herd. I honestly don’t want to risk it. He’s honestly one of those horses you want to wrap in bubble wrap because when out hes so flighty, hes good ridden and in the box so it is strange but hes been like it since I bought him as a 3yr old (over 5 years ago)

I’ll gradually increase the time hes in the small paddock for hopefully he’ll get use to it.

I’m just worried by next week when he needs to go back in his usual paddock, if it rains and his neighbours are kept in for days it means he won’t have any horses in eyesight so its either keep him in or risk him injuring himself. All of the paddocks by the stables are used by the farmers horses and there is no where else really suitable to put him as the YO now has 5 horses using the individual paddocks. *head bang*

Thank you even more so if you red to the end!

 

[Mule]

The vet can give you something stronger than the calmer if you explain your situation.

 

[milliepops]

The vet can give you something stronger than the calmer if you explain your situation.

this may be worth exploring.
I know that feeling of dread turning out a horse that won't look after itself. I'm afraid in the end I figured I could only do so much in the way of managing mine and the rest was down to luck Yours is the one that jumps out of little pens too, isn't he?

 

[cauda equina]

Could you borrow a small placid companion for a bit?

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Thanks @mule I've whatsapped my vet asking if he can prescribe anything for now. Yes he does @milliepops I've managed to get some taller electric fencing posts and with 2 strands of electric fence I don't think he will but he still fence walks and just is a general prat. Within 2 minutes of him having a moment this morning he ruined one side of the paddock by fence walking.

My vet wanted him on a hard standing small paddock but there is only one which the YO is using for his horse with mud fever, so only option I have is a small grass paddock with proper post and rail fencing for 4 days until YO needs it again.

I'm just worried how he'll be when he starts going back in his usual paddock and WHEN it rains his only 3 neighbouring horses are put in for weeks solid so he has nothing within eyesight. Unless I just keep him in for those weeks but rather frustrating.

Could you borrow a small placid companion for a bit?

YO charges for every horse and it isn't cheap where I am as price went up. So trying to stick to 1 to keep costs down. Having owned 2 for over 5 years its never crossed my mind about this, as they were always out together.

 

[Mule]

this may be worth exploring.
I know that feeling of dread turning out a horse that won't look after itself. I'm afraid in the end I figured I could only do so much in the way of managing mine and the rest was down to luck Yours is the one that jumps out of little pens too, isn't he?

They don't make it easy and some of them are a lot worse than others. One of mine is ridiculous, I'm surprised he's made it to 17. Of course having to retire at 11 probably has something to do with it.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

They don't make it easy and some of them are a lot worse than others. One of mine is ridiculous, I'm surprised he's made it to 17. Of course having to retire at 11 probably has something to do with it.

I've never had a horse like him, doesn't help hes a pure Welsh. Hes lovely to ride, happily hacks alone and has movement to die for but a nightmare in a herd (how he originally hurt his suspensory) and can be a sod to catch if on good grass.
I hope he adjusts to living on his own once hes use to it.. really like my current place, its just the grazing being so spread out thats the issue.

 

[Mule]

I've never had a horse like him, doesn't help hes a pure Welsh. Hes lovely to ride, happily hacks alone and has movement to die for but a nightmare in a herd (how he originally hurt his suspensory) and can be a sod to catch if on good grass.
I hope he adjusts to living on his own once hes use to it.. really like my current place, its just the grazing being so spread out thats the issue.

That can be the problem with herds. They love being in them but the easily breakable types can get injured messing about with the others.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Just to keep you updated.. the sedation still hasn't been dropped off by the vet, but I can only use this small paddock until Friday as the YO needs it and wanted to try again with a friend next door thinking he'd be much calmer.

Today I put his stable neighbour in the field first, shes a 32yr old mare and very calm and the owner was happy for me to put her out at 8am which was great. I then put mine out in the small paddock that runs parallel. He was so calm, ate the grass and didn't think anything of it - he looked so laid back and happy to be out - plus hes on lots of grass so he was munching away, other liveries also said he chilled he looked as I mucked out. I asked a friend to grab him in after a hour as she was about - she was more than happy although because hes a typical Welsh they are more wary of him. Hes not naughty in any way, doesn't bite or kick or tank off etc, but is a strong chap at times and if you aren't use to handling a horse like that I guess it can be a shock.

Within 10 minutes of me leaving (he'd been out about 30 minutes) I got a call to say after he saw me leave the yard he had a head fit, eyeing up the post and rail fencing to jump so they instantly bought him in. Couldn't thank them enough, but was banging my head against the brick wall at the same time.

Its almost like he has anxiety out of his stable and if I leave him - even with company right next door and thats his friend too not a random horse. Vet is dropping sedation off today as driving right past, he thinks it might take the edge off him so worth trying and said its anxiety as hes so use to being in now.. but I'm sure it might work for 30 minutes and then he'll do the same again as soon as it wares off. Don't want him to wreck YO's paddock so worried about putting him back in there now as its only small and for his Shetland.

Any other ideas? I'll try sedation, but putting him in a bigger area further away from the stable might be even worse. My 'paddock' is a walk down the track, no other horses in sight as his neighbours are in pretty much 24/7 in winter so basically stumped what I can do unless I keep him in 24/7 forever. I do wonder if hes got even more attached to me since my other horse was PTS (his best buddy) in October. The only other option is to move yards..

 

[ihatework]

Use the sedation short term but in all honesty, if he has done the road walking and the scans are showing the lesion filled and fibres reasonably aligned I’d be looking to send him away for the rest of the winter on full grass livery. Decent ground, good acreage, unshod herd, no coming in/out of stables. It’s very very rare they don’t adapt to that quickly.

 

[be positive]

Use the sedation short term but in all honesty, if he has done the road walking and the scans are showing the lesion filled and fibres reasonably aligned I’d be looking to send him away for the rest of the winter on full grass livery. Decent ground, good acreage, unshod herd, no coming in/out of stables. It’s very very rare they don’t adapt to that quickly.

This is what I did with the last 2 that had to get out in winter after long box rest, they had both been conditioned fairly extensively in hand walking then were sedated and turned out 24/7 with others that were also out 24/7, there was a mad 10 mins even with sedation but they soon settled and no harm had been done, I have my own land so it is easier but I knew neither would have coped with being brought in daily, being near others coming in and out so it was the best option in every way.
I think it much easier in summer to get them eased out slowly than mid winter but I would not want to keep in for longer than necessary just for a quiet life.

 

[Foxychops]

If he was mine with his history of injury I would just keep him in. He is obviously happier in at the moment especially with this horrible wet weather making the fields dangerous. It will soon be spring x

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Use the sedation short term but in all honesty, if he has done the road walking and the scans are showing the lesion filled and fibres reasonably aligned I’d be looking to send him away for the rest of the winter on full grass livery. Decent ground, good acreage, unshod herd, no coming in/out of stables. It’s very very rare they don’t adapt to that quickly.

Hes now up to riding in the school and started canter work with no issues.

My ves advised strongly against turning him away or out 24/7 when mentioned last week, as hes just so SO injury prone and a completely idiot when out in all honesty. As soon as I put him in a herd he'd be galloping around, skidding to gates and turning sharp. He also thinks every horse is his best friend which means he always gets bullied, even though he was in a herd of 11 for 3 years he never quite understood herd 'logistics'. With his history he'd be one of the weaker horses too, hes my only horse now and if he hurt himself again I'm not sure he could cope being in for so long.

 

[be positive]

Having seen he is in full work then I would forget my earlier suggestion and keep him in apart from the short period he will put up with and try to do something both ends of the day if he does not get out, take advantage of having time at the weekend to ride him until he is relaxed, a little tired and put him out hungry while you faff about for as long as you can so he has a bit longer, sometimes they just dont want to help themselves.

I wouldn't want to sedate him every day to put out now he is in work as I am not sure that would be beneficial to him generally.

 

[9tails]

I'd keep him in as well. I don't know what your fields are like, but ours are horrendous and it's asking for lost shoes or slipping injuries if we put out now. Wait until the ground is dryer and your neighbour puts hers out.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Having seen he is in full work then I would forget my earlier suggestion and keep him in apart from the short period he will put up with and try to do something both ends of the day if he does not get out, take advantage of having time at the weekend to ride him until he is relaxed, a little tired and put him out hungry while you faff about for as long as you can so he has a bit longer, sometimes they just dont want to help themselves.

Thanks, will start doing this. He gets ridden every morning, give him new haynet with a treat ball on my dinner break and then in hand grazed on a evening. He really is calm as anything, happy in his stable. The fact I can leave the door open and he stays in there just shows how un-bothered he is but then I know its inhumane keeping him in and no good for him long term..

 

[be positive]

Thanks, will start doing this. He gets ridden every morning, give him new haynet with a treat ball on my dinner break and then in hand grazed on a evening. He really is calm as anything, happy in his stable. The fact I can leave the door open and he stays in there just shows how un-bothered he is but then I know its inhumane keeping him in and no good for him long term..

I had an exracehorse here at livery some years ago and he hated leaving his stable if it was raining, I used to turn him out because it was 'good for him' he rarely stayed out for more than half an hour in winter before he was charging about trying to come in, he was one that would stay in if the box door was open, I just went along with it he was an old boy who knew what he wanted and was happy enough, in summer he was out 24/7 no problem.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I had an exracehorse here at livery some years ago and he hated leaving his stable if it was raining

Aww. - what a smart chap really, knew just what he wanted! Funnily enough though mines similar. Hes a pure Welshy so suppose to be hardy, yet absolutely hates the rain!

 

[Pinkvboots]

I would just put him out when your there for now, so maybe ride dope him then turnout while you muck out and do jobs, i think it would be a safer option for now.

 

[hopscotch bandit]

My horse will have gone 8 weeks box rest if she gets the all clear to go out at her reassessment in a few weeks time for her check ligament injury.

I intend to ask the vet for Zyklene sachets. They have casein in them which is similar to mares milk and for some reason has a calming and sedative affect on some horses. From memory you need a few days prior to turn out and a few days after. The were around £3.50 a sachet at one point. Not sure now.