Oh Kim, I'm so sorry to hear about Harry! You are right to keep him out. The problem with box rest is that they have to go out eventually and by then they are so frustrated that they are bouncing and risk straining the tendon again.... Ian turned his horse Archie out when he did his tendon a couple of years ago. It was Jan/Feb towards the end of the hunting season and he just left him out with no treatment and then started doing a little bit of driving with him mid summer when he looked better. The gentle walk and trot work on the road helped strengthened it up once the worst of the inflammation and lameness was gone and he hunted him again last season with no problems and he's nearly 20 now. The farmer where Ian keeps his horses, also had his horse pull a tendon around the same time. He went down the box rest and bute etc route and the horse was in all summer. The horse went wild when they eventually put it out and pulled it again and it has had to be permanently retired and a younger horse. In my opinion, you are definitely doing the right thing keeping him out, albeit in a "box" of grass.
I'm in a similar situation with Cora being lame. I'm coming to the conclusion it is Navicular but she is also stiff in her back end from when she had MeMe. Of course, as she is getting older, it is becoming more pronounced, especially now that she is sore on her front legs/feet too. At 25yrs old I can't justify spending money on diagnosis. I've had the farrier check her out and I've had the physio work on her but there has been no obvious improvement, so I'm now down to getting the vet to prescribe bute and see if that makes her more comfortable. If not, then I have a difficult decision coming, which I am going to really struggle with. It was hard enough with Rebel last year but it was clear a decision had to be made then and there and of course I made the decision to hospitalise him rather than euthanize in the end. This is probably not going to be a question of if, but rather, when to euthanize and perhaps being tempted to put it off longer than it should be. I've known her for 22 years and owned her for 19 so it will not be a decision to take lightly. Fingers crossed she shows some improvement with bute.... and maybe the rain that is forecast will make the ground a little softer. We must be the only part of the country that has not had any significant rain for months and months.
Anyway, good luck with fixing Harry. I have a "Gel Ice wrap" that you soak in a bucket of water for 10 mins and then strap around the leg with Velcro for 20 mins. It applies gentle pressure as well as cooling and wasn't expensive and can be reused over and over. It might be easier than having to bring Harry out of the field to hose down each day. I hope he makes a speedy and miraculous recovery.
We are riding this afternoon. My new Canadian friend is coming as well as Jo, so we will get all 3 out for the first time in a year. I will be less stressed than leaving one at home ....... the running at the gate and skidding to a stop and screaming and fear that they will try to jump the gate makes the first 10 mins of any ride out when one of them is left, rather anxious.... but I have a feeling there will be serious antics because they will be SOOOOOOOO EXCITED about all being out together!!! Hopefully we will fun though!
Keeping fingers crossed for Harry.
Best wishes
Barbara
Maybe a sprain, strain on break? Have you checked the bottom of his foot and between the toes?
