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Discussion on Any tips to entertain a horse on box rest?
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New Member:
Kstud
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Posted on Monday, Jun 26, 2006 - 5:45 pm:
Hi, my 4yo gelding is on box rest following a fractured splint and damage to the suspensory ligament. He is on 5 minutes hand walking a day now but is becoming a real handful and very very bored. I have the radio on in the yard, our stables have grille partitions between them and he has a donkey and a pony either side. He has a hanging mineral lick and ad lib hay but he is not happy. I bought one of those balls last week that you put horse nuts into and the horse rolls the ball around and should be entertained by the few nuts that trickle out. It was supposed to be horse proof as the lid is very difficult to open by humans when locked. Huh! not for my horse, after 3 days he had learned to hold the recessed handle in his teeth and knock the ball against the wall until the handle lines up and the lid opens upon which the ball falls to the floor spilling all the nuts at once. He then throws the lid, closely followed by the ball over the stable door at you and asks for a refill. Needless to say I am baffled and need some new ideas for stable toys very quickly. thanks Catherine
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Monday, Jun 26, 2006 - 6:09 pm:
LOLOLOLOL... Sorry Catherine, I don't have any ideas but maybe a stall mirror.. but your horse sure sounds like a character!! He just might like looking at himself and keeping himself amused
On the first day God created horse , on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Jun 26, 2006 - 6:15 pm:
Hello Catherine,
We have an article on getting through stall resting and you will find it at, Training Horses » Behavioral Problems » Stall Resting Horses.
DrO
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Monday, Jun 26, 2006 - 6:27 pm:
Dr. O's articles are great!
You could try a pasture pal, but this one is hooked to a base that he spins to get the food out...but it may not work either!
How about clicker training? I haven't done it but heard rave reviews about horses on stall rest, gets their minds to thinking and they calm down a bit  Good luck!
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New Member:
Kstud
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Posted on Monday, Jun 26, 2006 - 7:12 pm:
Thanks Ann, Dr O and Aileen,
I will buy some haynets tomorrow and try that one. I am not sure what a pasture pal is Aileen, maybe it is an American product (I am in Ireland) but I would love to find out more. I thought about the mirror but reckon that he is sooooo vain he might fall in love with himself. If anyone could tell me how to downscale pics I would post one of him. He is a white grey with a white blaze and a blue mane and tail and blue legs, really pretty and he knows it. He also has a shoe fetish (with or without feet)and can unpick any bandage, seek and destroy mobile phones, grooming brushes, ropes etc silently and without raising any suspicion, but his party trick is being able to take the headcollar off the pony next door without opening any straps WHILE it is under a bridle (again opening no buckles) WHILE leaving the bridle on and intact!!!!!!! I cannot do that. Is he possessed (or very very bored)
Catherine
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Member:
Warwick
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Posted on Monday, Jun 26, 2006 - 8:32 pm:
Catherine, I second a stall mirror. Have absolutely no idea if it will work but I have had success with a particularly naughty and intense young mare of mine. Mind you, she's just a bit of a pain in the you-know-where and not on stall rest.
Yikes, don't envy you!
Good luck,
Sue
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Member:
Djws
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 27, 2006 - 12:04 am:
Aileen-
How does the clicker training work?
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 27, 2006 - 10:28 am:
DJ, do a search for clicker training. I know there have been some good threads on here about it. I truly don't know enough about it, but to give you an idea... you ask the horse to touch something with his nose, as soon he begins to move in the general direction, you click and treat. You always reward the try
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 27, 2006 - 10:30 am:
Catherine, he sounds like a gem
Do a search on the internet for pasture pal. Dover Saddlery carries them. It will at least better explain what I'm talking about and maybe you could fashion a base?
Good luck!
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 27, 2006 - 11:49 am:
Catherine, I hope you post any new ideas you find or come up with as I am in a similar situation with a mare who must be stall bound for many months.
Your guy sounds great! Very smart with a lot of personality!
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Member:
Cpacer
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 27, 2006 - 4:10 pm:
Worrying about his happiness can be worse for you than him! I was there for two and a half months, my horse got so depressed and I stressed about it all day at work. Your guy is lucky he at least has some buddies in there with him, can't wait to see his picture!
Mine deflated a Jolly Ball, dented a hanging plastic apple, chewed the rubber off a rolly-horse-pacifier-thingy, and ate an entire salt block complete w/holder in one sitting while he was holed up--so I don't know if any of them would be worth trying for yours.
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Member:
Shanson
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 27, 2006 - 11:28 pm:
I have a mare who just came off 10 months of stall rest. She's not as "busy" as your guy, but she's smart and easily bored so I worried about her. Fortunately, I had her at a boarding facility that was pretty creative about keeping her occupied. One thing they did was really effective. They used portable panels to build two connected side-by-side stalls that they placed in the pasture so that she and a companion gelding who was laid up with her could graze. They'd move it around with their tractor every day or so to get to new grass. She LOVED it. Gave her something to do with fairly frequent change of scene. Between that, free-choice hay, her constant companion gelding, and daily handling, she tolerated the lay-up really well.
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Member:
Quatro
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006 - 4:12 pm:
Levi and I have been through this, many a time. This is the solution we came up with! LOL
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Member:
Quatro
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006 - 4:36 pm:
Takes me a while to figure out posting picture. This might help your horse while away the hours!
Suz
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Member:
Kstud
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006 - 5:25 pm:
Hi Susan,
I LOVE the picture, how do you send them? My horse is getting 5 minutes walking a day but he is getting very cheeky. Today he "took fright" at a leaf or piece of dust or something and tried to run away, buck rear and cow kick at me all at once....scary! The pasture thing is a great idea but don't think I have anything sturdy enough to make one. Catherine
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Member:
Kstud
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006 - 5:33 pm:
Hi all again, thought the paddock idea was such a good idea that I have phoned tool hire place and will hire mesh enclosures (2), one for him and one for quiet companion so at least he can go to the paddock every day and have a bit of grass and see a bit more of the world. Thank you all again for your ideas and especially that one Sharon.
Catherine
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006 - 6:37 pm:
Catherine, that is great! You'll cut down on the chance of ulcers developing that way too
Susan, tooooo cuuuttte!!!
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006 - 9:39 pm:
Suz - LOVE the picture!!  I'm glad it's Coors Light you're giving Levi; wouldn't want him gaining weight while he's standing around. He does look pretty content!
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006 - 10:19 pm:
Some horses are just so busy! My filly has total turn out with others, acres of pasture, and she still wants to maul the salt block, bathe in the water trough, break the lower fence boards, tear apart the jumps, drive the other horses crazy, and can't wait to get me in there to "groom".
I am totally slobbered upon and groomed within an inch of my life whenever I go in to do anything. I secretly love it, though. Don't tell the horse.
She was born here and imprinted, so I think she knows I am just another pasturemate that simply doesn't hang out long enough.
Erika
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 29, 2006 - 10:55 pm:
Maybe it has to do with the intelligence and the age of the horse. Most of mine are "busy bodies" even when in the pasture. They keep busy eating for awhile, but when they fill up they start looking for "trouble." If you're trying to work near them, they will steal your hat, pull out hair pins, run off with your tools, etc. Maybe they are all just "spoiled brats" tho' I'd hate to admit it!
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Friday, Jun 30, 2006 - 7:23 pm:
Great picture, Susan! Did you get him a fridge for his stall so when he finishes one beer, he can help himself to another??
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Member:
Quatro
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 1, 2006 - 11:03 am:
You know you just gave me an idea, Fran. I am always looking for stupid pet tricks to teach my animals. I had a German Shepherd who opened up the fridge, got a beer, Budweisser though. Never could teach him to shut the door. Maybe that will be Levi's new trick.
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Member:
Quatro
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 1, 2006 - 11:06 am:
Catherine, How is your horse doing by the way?
suz
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Member:
Kstud
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 1, 2006 - 7:04 pm:
Hi,
Getting cheekier by the day! We are having to do his 5 minutes walk with a bit and bridle now as he is doing Lippizaner tricks when he is in a headcollar. I have not been able to source the fencing yet but I am working on it, ditto a mirror. Not sure what he has done but his left hind fetlock is up today, think he may have kicked the wall. If its not one thing its another!!!
Catherine
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 1, 2006 - 10:16 pm:
They make portable corrals for endurance riders. I've seen them in several catalogs. Some are just portable electric fencing (solar) and others are pipe that either attach to a side of the horse's trailer, or are free standing. Do you have a source for endurance riding equipment in your area?
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 1, 2006 - 10:21 pm:
https://www.oxbowmfg.com is an example. Do a search for portable horse fencing and a lot comes up on the internet. Of course, finding a supplier is the trick!
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Member:
Ilona
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 2, 2006 - 9:39 am:
Catherine your horse sounds too cute and too smart for his own good, to say nothing of dextrous, you may want to consider signing him for a show in Las Vegas
Suz, that picture of Levi is PRECIOUS!
I must thank both of you for a good hearty Sunday laugh.
Have you tried the hanging horse licks/treats that they have to streatch for, and because it is suspended in the air they have to juggle with their nose to lick it. Just make sure it is suspended such that a firm grip between the teeth is unlikely, as all then would be lost.
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Member:
Ilona
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 2, 2006 - 9:48 am:
The portable fence that I have and will actually be bringing to Bushy creek is made by Ramm Fencing.
www.rammfence.com
I know that you are in Europe, it is run off batteries so should be no problem as those are universally the same.
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Member:
Corinne
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 2, 2006 - 10:41 am:
Catherine.....the Amazing Graze is another treat dispenser that is designed to be put in the stall and paddock and can't roll away because of the design. It also can't be opened by the horse and it long so the treats won't dispense to quickly. Demetrius will knock me down to get his. Our barn owner got some for her warmblood and she hasn't kicked the wall again. Maybe the outside paddock and the Amazing Graze might make all the difference. Good Luck. And Susan....Levi looks so hysterical in that photo I am saving that one.....might use it as wallpaper on my computer!
Take care everyone and Happy 4th of July.
Corinne
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Member:
Quatro
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 2, 2006 - 12:50 pm:
Thanks Corrine, I have it saved on my computer as the screen saver, I forget and then up pops my silly fellow! He brings a smile to my face all the time, now I can even see him haunting me in the house!
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Member:
Kstud
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 2, 2006 - 2:52 pm:
Hi again, sorry if the last mail went twice. I looked up the amazing grace but it is very similar to the device he had, he will be able to open the handle of that too I would say. Thank you for the suggestion though,
Catherine
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Member:
Kstud
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 2, 2006 - 2:55 pm:
oops, last mail did not go at all. Was saying that I cannot use electric fencing for this boy as he has a repertoire of tricks for that! He jumps it, pulls up the posts with his teeth, or if all else fails I have seen him push a smaller horse through it so that he can stroll out unshocked! I will have to get the tall mesh fence that you see on construction sites for safety I think,
Thanks again, Catherine
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Member:
Ilona
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 2, 2006 - 3:17 pm:
Catherine you certainly do have your hands full. My Rocky Mountain is a close second to your boy. Its quite a challenge, I just know somewhere inside of me Malaika is smarter than I will ever be in some matters.
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Member:
Qh4me
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 4, 2006 - 2:03 pm:
This post makes me laugh. At least I know there are others out there with characters and maybe some of my horses aren't so abnormal?? 
Catherine, Do you have access to a portable round pen or know anyone who has one? We have one, and if we need a 12x12 portable stall, we take 4 of the round pen gates, and put them together.
It works great, 6 feet tall and safe. No need for electric fence, posts or anything temporary.
Good luck, your hands are full with this guy!
Susan, the pic of Levi is great! Talk about a character!
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