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Horse freaks out when I try to give her shots

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5K views 16 replies 14 participants last post by  GracielaGata 
#1 ·
We recently found out that our horse has heaves. We had the vet come out last week and he gave her a shot of dexamethasone and she did fine. I gave her another dose yesterday and that was a piece of cake too. Today we went out to give her a shot and she freaked and I mean freaked out. She kicked and bucked and then after wouldn't let us get near her. We couldn't even give her the shot. Can someone please help? I need some suggestions on how to keep her calm so I can give her a shot and not risk her or myself getting hurt? Thanks!
 
#2 ·
Ask your vet if he could give you some sedation made up in syringes then if you have small pen put her in it and tie her up.

Only tie her up if you think it's safe enough though.

When my brothers horse recently had a fungi infection in his eye, and every time we went to put his shot in the eye he would rear even when we were holding him.
So my dad tied him up so he couldn't move (I know that sounds harsh but it was a last resort).
If this doesn't work I don't no what you can do.
 
#5 ·
What my trainer taught me to do was tap where I'm gonna give the shot multiple times, and then give the shot. So the horse doesn't know when it's coming.
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#17 ·
I have also read to do this all the time, not just when giving a shot. To add to to it: take a toothpick out with you and ***** them with it multiple times in a row on various spots on their neck, or rump: areas where shots go. While doing so pet and love on them, give some treats. I think also you should include a few harder & longer held pokes... My mare doesn't love shots or worming (the vet even changed a treatment plan b/c she hated the shots so badly, so I didn't have to do it at home alone), and I keep meaning to try this method to break her of it... good luck next time!
 
#7 ·
Get her used to being caught and having a syringe rubbed on her neck. (empty) and having the skin pinched. I originally did this about 3 times a day.


Then when you actually go to give it do it quick, especially if your new you may be tempted to go in slowly, pop the needle in pretty quickly and have one person hold and one administer the shots.
 
#12 · (Edited)
My Lucy had to have penicillin shots everyday when she was young for an injury to her leg. Ever since then, she is impossible to give a shot in the neck.

What we have to do is give it to her in her rump. Separate the needle from the syringe, pat fist on the rump a few times and then jab needle in instead of a pat. Once needle is in, let the horse settle and reattach syringe to needle to administer the dose.

ETA: I forgot to say that we've done everything to get her used to having a shot. She is fine with having the shot in your hand and even being rubbed with it. The second you try to give the shot is another story.
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#8 ·
You should look at feeding her grain or her favourite treats, to re-associate the needle with something positive. Are you needing to give her a lot of shots? or is it just an annual vaccine? if its just a single vaccine, it might be worth having the vet do it for you. If you have a lot of shots to administer, you will for sure need to feed her until she associates the needle with a more positive attitude.
 
#9 ·
Do not, never ever give Dex IM. Shame on your vet for not educating you on this. It needs to be give IV. If you can not give it IV, than give it orally. Works just as well (but slower). Draw it up in the syringe, pop the needle off and give it orally just like a dewormer. Way too many potential problems when given IM.
 
#10 ·
My mare requires shots every 3 weeks. During a severe injury/illness that nearly cost her her life, she had to have 5 shots a day (antibiotics)

Needless to say, she HATES needles. The tapping method worked for awhile. Then not so much. She would shake her head, bend the needle, move her feet. She nipped me once.

Get a grain pan, have someone feed her while you give the shot. Do the tapping method, and boom, be done with it. Or give him an apple. Or take a brush and have someone vigorously brush the other side of her neck to distract her.

she has gotten much better. I think she has figured out after her shots, she feels better. Or has realized its not a big deal. Or she gets food. I don't know what it is, but it works.

If worse comes to worse, you will have to twitch him. He needs his shots...and you need to live. I had to twitch my girl for awhile.

And whatever you do, have someone with you in case something goes wrong. Don't give shots alone. And have a phone on you/the other person just in case.
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#11 ·
Does she tie? My mare hates shots, but nothing that dramatic. She tries to walk off or back out of the way and just doesn't want to stand still.

I put her in cross ties and tie them very tight. She can step one step forward and one back. She wiggles (and I have bent needles to prove it), but we get it done! Sometimes we end up doing it twice as she has bent the needles pretty badly!

I always always give her cookies as a reward. She gets one before the injection and one after.

Pinching or slapping on the area does not help. Now if you go to pat her on the neck she thinks it is a shot! :?
 
#14 ·
Best answer yet: manage her condition without the meds!

I have 3 horses with ADVANCED heaves (I'm talking barely able to walk around the outdoor arena, can't eat, wheezing so badly) in our herd who are COMPLETELY symptom-free, and each became so within days if moving here. It's 110% due to living conditions.

Outdoors 24/7, fed their hay at least 3x's daily - in a spread-out fashion.

Round bales and stall living are your asthmatic horse's demise!

Slow feeders are also a great tool, as they keep your horse's nose OUT of the hay.
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#15 ·
I have a mare that freaks out at the sight of a needle coming towards her. I cover her eye on the side the shot is going to be given, warn the vet to hide the needle as he approaches her and voila! she doesn't even flinch when she doesn't know what is causing that minor irritation.

On another note, when you are having to give daily shots muscles can get sore. Make sure you change injection sites every time. Each side of the neck, each side of the rump, and each side of the chest (the part that is between their front legs). This is for IM shots, if IV shots need to be done then I leave it to the vet.
 
#16 ·
We came to a conclusion. We put her halter on and tied her to the fence. My boyfriend walked her around the pasture while I got the syringe ready. Then he gave her treats and love and I used the tapping method. As he gave her treats he covered the eye of the side that I was on so she couldn't see what I was doing. I tapped and then on the 5th tap or so the needle went in. She raised her head and jumped a little bit but it was a piece of cake compared to the other day. Thank you all for your advice!
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