Convalesing and box rest

[shell]

So what can i do to make things easy and smooth running when the girlie comes home from the vets. She's bound to be on box rest and meds and eventually the liver prob will have to be dealt with, but sat up all night mulling things over and worrying about today and just thought i would do as much as poss to keep her comfy and aid her recovery.
Ok we don't yet know her meds and after care but just want thoughts and ideas of keeping a yearling stabled. I've just shelled out on rubber matting and getting easibed or hemcore today we can't use woodchips. She has a jolly ball tied up to play with, and my usual array of empty milk bottles(plastic) filled with cubes and water with peppermint essence in cheap toys!!!
She reacted fantastically to the stable mirror at the vets but i cant shell out on a proper one of those right now so looking into alternatives.

[greydales]

Sounds like you have thought of most things Shell, you can get stable mirrors on Ebay at various prices/sizes, they aren't horrifically expensive. Try hanging large root vegetables like swede etc. What often keeps mine occupied is the plastic ball filled with nuts which they have to roll around. Beware though this makes a lot of noise as they crash it against walls LOL! Maybe she could have one in the day only?

When I had Olivia on 6 weeks box rest I put up a Lickit which she wasn't the least bit interested in , she also had a stable mirror again which she ignored! She's an awful patient and lost a lot of weight through stress, even though Dan was with her all the time.

Will yours be with a companion or on her own?

[shell]

She will be on her own Gill though on busy part of the yard. She has been very good on the 3 weeks confinement before the op so fingers crossed she should be ok. Her neighbours either side do come in at varying times so she will always have something to see, i'll have to bring her field buddies over occasionally for a hello over the door.
She adored the stable mirror at the vets yesterdy she stood baby chatting for ages was lovely to see.

[cadeby]

Sounds like you have thought of lots of good things already. I would try and bring her field buddies over as much as possible for the chats across the door!

Some in-hand exercise would help to break up her day, if this is permitted.

Some freshly pulled grass, mixed in with her fodder, again if permitted.

Try not to worry too much - it will be lovely to have her back at home.

[shell]

Thanks, not sure exercise will be permitted depends on the condition and stability of the hock joint i guess.
Can see me spending a few hours just sat in stable with her reading or something just to break up her day, annoyingly her stable is solid so can't even get a neighbour in for her to have nose to nose contact with.

[tinastephenson]

I understand your worries, it seems Curly will be on box rest for the forseable future as well, so also looking for ways to keep him occupied, once he is well enough to bother!

[shell]

Thanks Heather should have thought to ask you re grooming/massage for her. Might have a go at the clicker she is very intelligent and loves doing things would be such a shame to lose that spark through her becoming bored by four walls.

[lillo]

What did your pony have done?