Stiffness after box rest: Getting back into shape faster
Every horse owner knows that uneasy feeling in the pit of the stomach when the vet finally gives the green light. The condition has healed, and box rest is officially over. A reason to celebrate, right? But to be honest, my joy was mixed with a large dose of worry.
For weeks, my big horse stood almost entirely in his stable, barely allowed to move. That does something to a horse – not just mentally, but above all physically. His muscles had visibly reduced, and when I walked him in hand for the first few times, he just seemed 'rusty'. He moved stiffly, almost as if he had forgotten how to swing his legs freely. This stiffness after a forced break is completely normal, but it still breaks your heart. You want so much to help them regain their suppleness, so that bringing them back into work does not become an ordeal.
The battle with the powders
Naturally, I immediately researched how I could support him during this phase. The vet and my yard friends advised the classic joint nutrients: glucosamine, MSM, the whole works. So, highly motivated, I bought various tubs and buckets of promising powders.
The reality at the feed manger, however, looked quite different. My horse is an absolute expert at sorting out supplements. I stirred the powder into his mash – he turned his nose up at it and walked away. I tried hiding it in hollowed-out apples – he bit into the apple, spat out the powder, and gave me a reproachful look. In the end, the expensive stuff stuck to the bottom of the manger as a damp mush, and my horse had eaten around it. It is simply frustrating: you know your horse urgently needs these nutrients right now to get fit again, but you just cannot get them into him.
The discovery: nuvallo move Snacks
In this phase of despair, I came across nuvallo move Snacks. To be honest, I was sceptical at first. Joint supplements in snack form? Can that work? But the concept sounded exactly like the solution to my 'fussy eater problem'.
The crucial difference is the way they are given. It is not a dusty powder or a liquid that you have to painstakingly sneak into their feed. They are functional snacks based on linseed cake and rice bran.
Why I am now a huge fan of the 'snack concept'
The application is almost ridiculously easy, which is a massive help in the stressful daily routine at the yard. For my horse (approx. 550 kg), I simply feed 6 snacks daily – that is about 30 g. In the first two weeks, right at the start of bringing him back into work, I doubled the amount to give him the best possible start.
The best part: I can give him the nuvallo move Snacks straight from my hand while I am grooming him or before we head out for a walk. He absolutely loves taking them because they clearly taste great and do not smell artificial. No weighing, no mixing, no leftovers in the manger.
What was also important to me: the ingredients are right. Per daily ration, he gets 1,500 mg glucosamine, 2,550 mg collagen, 2,250 mg MSM, and 150 mg hyaluronic acid. And all of this free from wheat, maize, or added sugar. Since his stomach was already a little sensitive due to the box rest, I found the wheat- and maize-free basis of linseed cake and rice bran very reassuring.
My observations while bringing him back into work
We have now been feeding the nuvallo move Snacks for about 8 weeks alongside his rehabilitation programme. Of course, I cannot look inside his joints, but my subjective impression is absolutely positive.
Especially in the first few minutes when we start out, I feel that he loosens up much faster. That initial stiffness he had right after his box rest seems to have settled much quicker than I expected. He seems more motivated in the mornings and tracks up more freely. It is hard to describe, but his movements just seem 'better lubricated'. We have noticed that he is moving with more joy again and no longer looks so stiff and stilted.
Another plus point for me as a competition rider hoping to compete again soon: the snacks are ADMR-compliant. So I do not have to worry about withdrawal periods when we are (hopefully soon!) fit enough to go to competitions again.
Conclusion
The path back to their old form after box rest is a waiting game. But I am glad that I have given up the battle with the powders. With nuvallo move Snacks, I have the peace of mind that I am supporting him optimally – and in a way that he actually enjoys. If you have a horse that is fussy when it comes to supplements, or if you need to build your horse back up after a break, I can wholeheartedly recommend these snacks. It makes life easier, and I firmly believe my horse simply feels better for it.