WHEN IT THAWS

[LittleD]

When the snows gone and we have turnout again, what's the best way to go about this please? Given the ok after a check ligament injury just before snow came and was out in a small paddock for a couple of hours a day for about 10 days, then it snowed, now been on enforced box rest since the ice and snow came so its been around 3-4 months without proper turnout, should I use the little paddock again for a while until horsey gets used to the wide open space, should I use Sedalin for the first couple of days, I'm worried sick that he will hurt himself and we'll have to start all over again - I know we have all been in the same boat lately but with the injury just getting right it's even worse, thanks so much!

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

sedalin, small paddock and turn him out hungy with his breakky and lots of yummy haylage so all he wants to do is pig out.
also-dont turn out horse that are likely to hoon round, near him.

 

[HollyP]

I hate the idea of drugging a horse to turn it out...what is your horse like to turn out normally? is he well behaved? I would suggest walking him in hand before you take him to the field so he can get and leaps and springiness out of this system then take him to his field and graze in hand for a bit until he is nice and calm.....

agree with prince33sp4rkle that the horses around him should be quiet too!!!

 

[Bruised]

One of mine was on box rest for 7 months with a check ligament injury. For the last 3 months I walked him in hand starting from 5 mins to 45 mins then trotted building up to 45mins of work in straight lines etc. Only after he was back trotting with a bit of canter - again in straight lines - for an hour did the vet allow him to be turned out. When the time came the vet came and gave him what he thought was required to stop him being silly but not so much that he would injure himself being wobbly. Once he had seen how he reacted to the sedation he gave me sufficient for the following 2 days to ensure that all was calm.

 

[pottamus]

I would start with the small paddock if in any doubt.

 

[CBFan]

Definately small paddock for first few weeks and if you can, short walks in hand a few days before hand would be good.

Turn out to breakie and pile of hay would be a good idea too!

 

[Delta99]

agree, walk and graze in hand, then small paddock.
Mine have been stuck in for a week now and I will definitely lunge them before turning out again, so we get the bucks out the way on a better surface...