Recovery from surgery or a significant injury or illness often involves a period of box rest or confinement in a stable-sized pen. This may be for as little as 24 hours following a routine joint injection, or six months or more in the case of a fracture.
Uncontrolled movement greatly impairs tissue healing. By restricting movement, box rest reduces the strain on wound edges, allowing healing to occur. Excessive movement disrupts tendon and ligament healing, making reinjury more likely when the horse returns to work.
The types of box rest are:
• Simple confinement to a loosebox (or pen) - this is the most common form. • Confinement to a loosebox and tethering in the box - this stops the horse lying down and now is used only very rarely, for example for pelvic fractures. • Confinement to a small yard or very small paddock. • Box rest followed by in-hand walking - this allows controlled mobilisation and loading of healing tissues, in turn allowing gradual strengthening.
