Sharing worries!

[oldernowiser]

Poor pony has been lame for nearly 3 weeks,GD had to miss going to her first ever show, and we all feel really sorry for him It's possibly laminitis, but we're not really sure so he's on bute, sedalin and box rest. The poor boy is climbing the walls, but seems much better (hooves much, much cooler, only one with any heat)

The vet said he could go for a short indoor turnout yesterday if we fenced off a quarter of the school to restrict his movement, which we did, but he went down for a roll twice, then despite limited space he raced around, bucking and generally letting off steam, which DH thought meant he felt better, but I put down to the bute masking any pain.

I got him back in the stable after about 5 mins, but I'm worried he could have hurt himself/put back his recovery. The vet's coming again on Friday afternoon so he's off the bute after this morning's dose. We'll just have to see how he is when the bute wears off, but I feel really terrible in case I've let him hurt himself, and also a bit anxious about how he's going to be long term.

He's also going to take some serious lungeing before GD gets back on him!

Feel a bit better now, thanks for listening

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

Box rest is an awful thing really! I'm sure he will be okay, I've know loads of lamimitics, usually they are Just fine. Try not to worry too much. I'm worried sick about laminitis as well, I recently moved ponies to a farm and the grass is really lush. They are all fat as pigs now, in a tiny patch, but the little one keeps getting under the electric fence and stuffing it's face! I hate grazing muzzles, so I just keep adding extra strips of electric fence and praying! Bloody ponies are a pain in the arse! Good job we love them! Good luck with the vet let us know how the little chap gets on. X

[oldernowiser]

Thanks Saggy, the vet is really pleased with Ben, and thinks it was a very mild attack of laminitis. He's a real skinny ribs pony, so it was the last thing we expected. He can gradually start work again, and is off box rest, so much happier.

The trouble with the box rest though is that it has worsened the stiffness in his back end. I'm hoping to ease that by plenty of short walks and once he's back in work properly he can turn out so that may help.

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

One of my friends has a highland on box rest for lamimitis at the moment. I am really not sure how I feel about this! The poor old boy doesnt seem to be shifting any weight, and I would have thought personally, that moving as much as you can, would help weight loss, increase circulation, and aid in the reduction of inflamation! But then Im not a vet! just seems a bit like telling someone who is overweight and suffering, to eat less, but dont move! Box rest also doesnt do anything for stress levels, horse or owner!!