27 August 2008 15:30
My Arab x Welsh gelding pulled a check ligament and is responding well to treatment. However, if we bring him in for a groom, when we put him back out he takes off in the field, galloping in small circles and has even gone so fast he’s fallen over. I’m really worried he’s going to hurt himself and don’t know what to do.
Answer
By Your Horse
Instructor Jane Vargerson advises:
I assume the vet has given the all-clear for him to be turned out? You should talk again to the vet and see when the horse can come back into work – this might give him something to think about, and help him settle back into a routine.
If he can’t come back into work yet, then the solution to him bolting around his field could be to use electric tape to reduce the size of his field. Fence out a smaller paddock within the one he’s in at the moment, or else in an area close to other horses, not isolated on his own. Being on his own could distress him even more and make him likely to aggravate his injury.