Can Buck Off Help a Horse on Box Rest?

Yes — Buck Off can be a useful support for horses that become stressed, tense or over-reactive during box rest.

For many horses, box rest is a significant change to their normal life. A horse that is used to turnout, movement and interaction with other horses can suddenly find themselves spending most or all of their time confined to a stable.

Some horses cope remarkably well. Others find it much more difficult.

Why can horses become stressed on box rest?

Horses are naturally designed to move, graze and interact socially.

When movement and turnout are suddenly restricted, some horses can become frustrated, anxious or increasingly reactive.

You might notice your horse:

• Pacing or becoming unsettled
• Calling frequently
• Becoming much more alert to activity around the yard
• Spooking or reacting more than usual
• Becoming difficult when other horses leave
• Getting increasingly wound up
• Struggling to settle after periods of excitement
• Becoming very reactive during hand walking or rehabilitation

If your horse is struggling mentally with box rest, Buck Off may be able to provide some additional support.

What will Buck Off do?

Buck Off isn't a sedative.

The aim isn't to make your horse sleepy or simply make them tolerate being confined.

Instead, Buck Off is designed to support horses that are tense, stressed or over-reactive, helping them deal with what's happening around them in a calmer, more proportionate way.

That's particularly relevant during box rest, when a horse's threshold for reacting can become lower simply because they're frustrated, stressed or dealing with a major change in routine.

Can Buck Off help with hand walking during box rest?

Potentially.

One of the biggest challenges with box rest can actually come when the horse is finally allowed out.

A horse that's been confined may become extremely excited during controlled exercise or hand walking — exactly when you need them to remain calm for their rehabilitation.

If that excitement is being amplified by tension and over-reactivity, Buck Off may help support a calmer response.

However, Buck Off isn't a replacement for veterinary sedation where this is required for safety or to protect an injury.

Always follow your vet's rehabilitation instructions.

When should I start Buck Off?

Buck Off typically takes around 7 days to start working, so it isn't an instant calmer.

If your horse is going onto planned box rest following a scheduled procedure, you can start Buck Off beforehand so that it has time to begin working.

If box rest is unexpected, you can start Buck Off once your horse is confined, but don't expect an immediate change after the first feed.

Does my horse need to stay on Buck Off after box rest?

Not necessarily.

If your horse is normally relaxed and only needs additional support while their routine and movement are restricted, Buck Off can be used throughout the box-rest and rehabilitation period.

Once they're back into their normal routine and coping well, you may no longer feel they need it.

If your horse was already tense, spooky or over-reactive before their injury, however, consistent use may be more appropriate.

Supporting the whole horse through box rest

Buck Off is only one part of helping a horse cope with confinement.

Providing plenty of appropriate forage, maintaining social contact where possible, keeping a predictable routine and providing safe enrichment can all help make box rest less stressful.

Most importantly, follow your vet's instructions about movement and rehabilitation.

Box rest might be necessary for the horse's body — but that doesn't mean we should ignore how they're coping mentally.

Buck Off can provide additional support for the horse that's finding confinement difficult, helping them deal with an unusual and potentially stressful period in a calmer way.