Feeding hay on box rest

[carthorse]

I haven't read all the answers so I may just be repeating what's already said.

Personally I'd put his hay in haylage nets to make it last longer. Tying the nets tightly, or top & bottom, so they don't move about so much will hopefully reduce the strain on his back a bit. I'd be more concerned about keeping him relaxed at the moment than I would be about his back.

I'd also put him on a calmer to try & keep him relaxed. My welsh is normally stressed by box rest, but this time I've put him on ProKalm & I can honestly say the difference is huge & it started to work very quickly. If you already have him on one then I'd question whether it's the right one for him & try something else.

 

[Mary Poppins]

As already suggested the fodder bricks are good too. I've been buying them for Storm - along with Munch blocks. There's a good selection of herbs etc in those too and they do last a while.

Thank you, I will try and get hold of them.

 

[Mary Poppins]

Yes!!! We use it for Storm, it's super and she loves it! Though the others seem to take or leave it? And of course she might get sick of it too. @Mary Poppins I think it's good for adding variety to ease their boredom.

How much speedibeat do you feed per day?

 

[Mary Poppins]

I haven't read all the answers so I may just be repeating what's already said.

Personally I'd put his hay in haylage nets to make it last longer. Tying the nets tightly, or top & bottom, so they don't move about so much will hopefully reduce the strain on his back a bit. I'd be more concerned about keeping him relaxed at the moment than I would be about his back.

I'd also put him on a calmer to try & keep him relaxed. My welsh is normally stressed by box rest, but this time I've put him on ProKalm & I can honestly say the difference is huge & it started to work very quickly. If you already have him on one then I'd question whether it's the right one for him & try something else.

No I haven't considered a calmer, I did consider giving him sedation when he first came home, but he has settled since then. The vet is coming to check him on Monday so I will see what he says about this. I'm worried about giving him anything new in case it gives him colic. I couldn't cope with another colic incident on top of everything else.

 

[carthorse]

A calmer shouldn't cause colic, if anything it should help to prevent it as stress can be a trigger. Sedation can put them out to a degree where they don't eat properly, a calmer won't do that.

 

[Trewsers]

How much speedibeat do you feed per day?

She gets a scoop at night to snack on - and another two scoops split throughout the day. It swells up to five times it's size, so makes quite a lot. Well, it looks a lot and keeps her occupied. The bag tells you how much you can give, I think it's quite a lot if you want to give to replace hay. For us it's really a combo of her poor teeth and variety.

 

[Trewsers]

Thank you, I will try and get hold of them.

I get ours locally but I do know Hyperdrug sell packs of them too.

 

[Trewsers]

I have valerian cordial for Storm, I really do think it makes a difference.

 

[Jane&Ziggy]

Try a herbal calmer. The James Hart one with valerian, V-Calm, is gentle and effective, it is banned in competition so must work! Here's a selection of herbal callers - you can get them without valerian if you think it's too strong:

https://www.naturallyanimals.co.uk/shop/search.php?q=liquid+calmer

A small dose 20 mins before some excitement (like a walk) I found very helpful.

 

[mystiquemalaika]

Sorry for delay in these it has been pouring down last 2 afternoons when I've set up. Video currently uploading to YouTube.

I tie a simple knot onto the haynet ring to stop the string pulling out.



Then I quick release it over and over to take up some length.



Then the excess just lays loose. No loops anywhere that a foot can fit through.



Hope he is settling down a bit.