What a rubbish day!!! Tips/ advice please

[princess+dude]

Sorry in advance everyone but am feeling a bit low and need as many hints and tips as possible!!!

I had to call the vet out this evening as when I bought my mare in I noticed she just didn't look right! Well once I got her into the light on the yard she had a massive swelling at the back of her tendon on the off fore. I put an ice boot on straight away as the hose is still frozen whilst I waited for the vet!!!
Unfortunately, my fears came reality and it now looks like we are going to be in for a while! As we can't scan her for 5 days due to the swelling we won't know the extent of the damage until the end of the week. But the vet is 99% sure that she has done her check ligament and superficial flexor tendon so realisticly we are looking at least 3-6 months box rest.

Being a typical mare and rejecting her first foal earlier on in the year you could probably imagine that she is not the easiest horse to deal with!!! So if anyone has any tips or hints they can recommend so I can try and keep madam as happy as possible it would be greatly appreciated!!! Also I need to get a cool boot so if anyone can reccomend one it would be great!!

Thanks everyone

 

[Izzwizz]

I feel your pain!!! My mare had a tear in her Deep Digital Flexor tendon diagnosed via MRI in Sept 09. Fortunately she likes her food and she was in all last winter, for 1 month on total, and I mean total box rest with her double wedge shoes on. The good thing is that its the worst time of year weatherwise so your mare may adapt to being in better than you think. I didnt have to work too hard to entertain her as such, she was happy with her nets and had a nice view from her stable so could see every day life as it passed by. You could try the usual treat balls, veg on a rope, various nets around the stable. You will find your bond will become very close, it did with Izzy. With regard to a cool boot, I used one made by Aerborn, the Cool Gaiter. Have to say didnt use it an awful lot though.

Happily I can tell you shes back in full work now (when the snow allows us) and doing very well. Hers was a bad tear so dont lose heart.

 

[ISHmad]

Sorry to hear about your horse hurting her leg Princess+Dude. I'd do the same as Izzwizz and maybe do some massages, body stretches and gentle grooming with her. Also leave a radio on if she is going to be the only horse in, although hopefully you will be able to have a rota of others next to her to keep her company.