Dislocated hip, need help finding/making sling

[weimerh]

Hi,
I am new to the forums (see intro I’m new member section), found this forum searching for info on hip luxation and femoral head fractures. Unfortunately my little guy has both, that said he walks anywhere he likes bearing his full weight on the bad leg and will trot/run when he is trying to scare me to death. The one thing he still needs help with is support for trimming his good back leg. It seems like others have made or found slings. Before I start buying things does anyone have ideas or pictures of what works? Very patient farrier who says he only needs him off the ground about 3-4 inches behind and only needs 5 minutes max. Vet and I were brainstorming today and we have beam that will easily support his weight. We’re going to lightly sedate, and really want to avoid anything round the back end while thinking through how to strap him in up front.

Thank you in advance!

 

[chandab]

Have you considered laying him down for his hoof trims? I know of a few owners of dwarf miniatures that lay them down for their hoof trims (some due to their very short stature, and some to their leg issues making it hard to stand on three or bend joints enough).

 

[weimerh]

We did talk about that as our first choice but since the injury he’s not willing to let anyone around him laying down and we are afraid to cause him to struggle. I have security cameras and he got down with his stifle locked ( issue since birth, surgery made it intermittent versus always) panicked and that is how he did all the damage to the leg in the first place.

 

[chandab]

eBay has lifting straps: HORSE, COW, LARGE ANIMAL LIFTING STRAP, SLING EXTRICATION RESCUE MADE IN THE USA | eBay
You can try googling "pony size rescue sling"; there are quite a few hits, some showing product, some showing rigging. MIght give you some ideas.
If he's small enough, perhaps a Mastiff size sling for helping after hip surgery would work.

 

[weimerh]

So I am excited to say that the little guy felt good enough that a very patient farrier was able to get his back feet done without any support beyond leaning on me. I had quite the snazzy little lift ready but if this works and he can stay on a 5-6 week schedule with everyone else, I am thrilled. Over the past month he had gotten strong enough, comfortable enough for me to clean all four feet so we decided to give it a try.