acw295
Well-Known Member
Molly had splint fracture surgery in June, long spell of box rest and is now 3 weeks in to 4 weeks of small paddock turnout.
Next week she should be ready to start ridden work and usual turnout, only she won't be ridden yet as I've gone and broken myself (dislocated kneecap) and am on crutches
Anyway, normally she'd be in the fatty paddock until mid Oct, but this year we have more fatty's and there are already 6 of them in a small area (about 1.5 acres) and it is mixed sex. Am concerned about re-introducing her to the group after 4 months in such a small area especially as they are all a bit crabby as it is rather bare (which is obviously the point) but she has been out with them all before in larger field (where fracture occurred).
Alternative is to turn out in the larger field muzzled, which is with the 4 non-fatty mares. All the mares (fat and non fat) will be in together over winter so again she knows them already but been about 6 months since she was last out with them. Field much larger (about 5 acres) and would have to muzzle as quite a lot of grass, but she is good at getting this off most days. She'd only be out by day for about 10hrs, won't bother with 24/7 now, and has soaked hay etc when in overnight.
She'll be in very gradual return work as soon as I can ride again so won't be doing anything to burn fat and worried about autumn flush risks.
Can't decide if less grass more important than more space?? Its the lami risk v kick to injured leg risk dilemma.
She can't stay in medical paddock beyond the 4 weeks - main reason is that another is due off box rest shortly and needs it (and its too small for 2), but also Molly hates individual turnout and really needs company as she is getting stressed.
There are no other options, can't section anything off, strip graze etc.
So what would you do?
I think I'm leaning towards larger field muzzled, moving her to fatty paddock only if the grass is too much as it'll only be about 5 weeks until they are all in together again anyway.
I'm just worried about making wrong call
Next week she should be ready to start ridden work and usual turnout, only she won't be ridden yet as I've gone and broken myself (dislocated kneecap) and am on crutches
Anyway, normally she'd be in the fatty paddock until mid Oct, but this year we have more fatty's and there are already 6 of them in a small area (about 1.5 acres) and it is mixed sex. Am concerned about re-introducing her to the group after 4 months in such a small area especially as they are all a bit crabby as it is rather bare (which is obviously the point) but she has been out with them all before in larger field (where fracture occurred).
Alternative is to turn out in the larger field muzzled, which is with the 4 non-fatty mares. All the mares (fat and non fat) will be in together over winter so again she knows them already but been about 6 months since she was last out with them. Field much larger (about 5 acres) and would have to muzzle as quite a lot of grass, but she is good at getting this off most days. She'd only be out by day for about 10hrs, won't bother with 24/7 now, and has soaked hay etc when in overnight.
She'll be in very gradual return work as soon as I can ride again so won't be doing anything to burn fat and worried about autumn flush risks.
Can't decide if less grass more important than more space?? Its the lami risk v kick to injured leg risk dilemma.
She can't stay in medical paddock beyond the 4 weeks - main reason is that another is due off box rest shortly and needs it (and its too small for 2), but also Molly hates individual turnout and really needs company as she is getting stressed.
There are no other options, can't section anything off, strip graze etc.
So what would you do?
I think I'm leaning towards larger field muzzled, moving her to fatty paddock only if the grass is too much as it'll only be about 5 weeks until they are all in together again anyway.
I'm just worried about making wrong call
- we don't know exactly how she did it other than she came in from field lame. Vet thinks most likely that she kicked herself causing the fracture as was inside of hind leg and not likely to be from kick from another horse given where it is, but equally could be caused from over extension (she does like a good gallop) - there was no external wound.