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  Discussion on Horse Terrified of Vet
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Member:
Creed

Posted on Friday, Apr 30, 2004 - 9:17 pm:

We purchased a 10 year old horse that we have just found out is terrified of the vet. It is a girl vet that really tries to take her time but something must of happened to him in his past. We managed to get blood for the Coggins but couldn't get the other 3 shots he needed.

She left them with us and showed us what to do...any thoughts on how to get this done without him going crazy? Some people say twitch him but it seems cruel?!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, May 1, 2004 - 8:55 am:

Hello Pamela,
Study the article, Training Horses » Behavioral Problems » Behavior Modification, Conditioning, Desensitization, and Counterconditioning, it addresses this type of problem specifically.
DrO
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Saturday, May 1, 2004 - 9:10 am:

Please don't twitch him. At least not with the conventional twitch. IMO that becames a crutch for future episodes. Time and patience will pay off so much better in the long run. True, you won't get those shots in him all in one day, but it will get easier. Try to find a Stabilizer, a device that works on some points that really calms a horse down. For now, be very calm, talk soothingly, and find spots to rub that seem to calm him. For example, there's a spot between to behind the ears; on the poll, that's where the stabilizer works. It also works, I believe, in parts under the upper lip. I have never used one of these personally, but my farrier showed me some of the spots that it works on, it made a world of difference with a filly that was terrified of him.

I hope the vet showed you where the shots should go; and if you aren't comfy doing that, get someone to help you who has. If you're nervous about sticking needles in him, he'll be nervous. (trust me on that one) and I hope the vet also told you to just put the needle in, then attach the shot. Not to scare you, but I've had horses who we've used 2-3 needles on, before we were able to attach the syringe. Spend time giving him a little "punch" where the needle will be going. That's what we've always done, punch, poke, plung it in. Of course, don't do this the first day, and when you do it, don't add the needle for some time.

Also, if you just got this horse, you may find it will be better a few months down the road. He may just be overwhelmed now by his new home,and new people etc.

Last of all, please be careful not to vaccinate yourself!!!!! ;-) can ya tell "I've been there, done that".....

best of luck.
Member:
Dres

Posted on Saturday, May 1, 2004 - 9:32 am:

Pam, i have a young horse that i have raised,, she became big quickly and started being very pushy, dangerous.. shots were .. were very scary.. she would rear, body slam me.. circles... i got a box of needles and daily just poked her.. it got to be that she was expecting it cus after she got tons of rubs and her all important belly groomed... she is not perfect now.. BUT , no more body slaming, rearing... ok, she still will circle around me a few times before she stops...

as you can see this is not a uncommon problem.. and can be fixed...

Ann
Member:
Eoeo

Posted on Saturday, May 1, 2004 - 10:36 am:

I have found that by popping the horse with your hand startles them. I scratch the area I am going to give the shot with my fingernails for 20-20 seconds. Then I put the needle in quickly and attach the syringe. I have had very few horses, including babies that react negatively. Most don't move a muscle. You might try that method and see how it works. EO
Member:
Stina

Posted on Saturday, May 1, 2004 - 10:57 am:

I have arabians and while one is a perfect saint about shots and worming (no halter or lead for either experience), I have two who are much like some described above (body slamming and such). IMO, it appears neither horse were given shots with the horses point of view taken into account. It was Wham bam thank you mam. So, they of course developed an adversion, as would I.

I have found two techniques to be very beneficial and they since have come to grips with the fact that they will be getting a shot, but it will not be as traumatic as they once thought.

First, I shoulder twitch. While this is difficult to describe, if you haven't done it or seen it done, it is very effective without being cruel. You grab the skin with your hand, make a fist, and then role.

Secondly, I don't tap or pat as I think that syches them up. Wrather, I press very firmly with my thumb for about 20 seconds, and then lay the needle, nearly flush with their neck, slowly tip the back of the needle up and slowly push the needle in. The pressing seems to numb the area a bit and pushing the needle slowly takes away the stabbing sensation. While I definitely know the benefit to pushing in the needle without the syring attached, I no longer have to do so as they have become much more relaxed and well-behaved with process since I have employed this approach. Good luck and remember, each horse is different, but this has worked on my sensitive, thin skinned arabians.
Member:
Liliana

Posted on Saturday, May 1, 2004 - 12:17 pm:

As Angie mentions there are so many new things happening, its like the first day at school and if to top it up nurse comes in to vaccinate you…it really is worth spending the time getting them to accept that it is for their own good, rather than twitching and using force of punishment. In the end they win if they want to, they are by far stronger than us… eradicating the fear is always far better than any form of restraint

It would be much easier on you in the end to convince him that “needles are fun ” humans and vets are nice to horseys. I believe that bribery is an excellent. way to start gaining trust! If it works with kids it works with horses….I pat them, give them carrots as soon as they flinch with the needle so they relate the nice taste of the carrot. with the slight discomfort of the needle.

Restrain and release same principle, pain/ reward Obviously once they learn that needles and vets are not the three headed monster then there is no need for bribery!

Patience works wonders, and it does pay in the end, in an emergency you may not have three people to help you with twitch, needles or any device

Love your horse
Liliana
Member:
Liliana

Posted on Saturday, May 1, 2004 - 12:31 pm:

Also if the horse is tense so will his muscles and the chances of the needle bending and bouncing out…having to start all over again, scepticism etc. etc. etc.

A relaxed horse is a pleasure to have!
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Sunday, May 2, 2004 - 7:53 am:

Ann, I am glad the daily "poking" worked for you. My little Arab mare got poked daily when she foaled and didn't get any milk in. That made her terrified of shots, and when she's scared and pushed, she gets ornery. So I had to retrain her to accept them. It was gentleness that did the trick. Yea, bent a few needles and had to overcome my fear of getting hurt by her. My husband would help and he always said I was more afraid than she was so I had to convince me and her it was o.k. Last time a vet had to take coggins the vet had to try 3-4 times before she drew blood....mare stood peacefully for all that poking around cuz she trusted me it was o.k.

EO, and Stina, you're right, the little punch may be too much for alot of horses. I like your methods better and come to think of it I don't recall the last time I "punched", but know some vets do it. Guess that's another reason I vaccinate myself; it's less of a battle.
New Member:
122756

Posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 6:24 pm:

hi all--a couple things to keep in mind with all of this..once the needle is in place, it's important to draw back a slight bit on the plunger--this is called aspiration. Doing so checks to make sure the tip of the needle is properly placed in tissue, not in a blood vessel. If blood flashes back into the hub of the needle, you are likely in a vein and should not inject the medicine/vaccine as doing so could be deadly to your horse, depending on the substance being injected. Withdraw the needle and try again in a slightly different site. This is why, if your horse will stand still, placing a needle first and then attaching the syringe has it's advantages,as blood would come out of the needle port if incorrectly placed. Another thought (word of caution)...every time you puncture the skin with a needle you're dragging bacteria into the tissue, even if properly cleansed first. Nasty infections and even abcesses can result.....I would not advocate performing daily needle pokes for the purposes of desensitizing a horse to shots as the risk of infection seems to outweigh the benefits.I agree with Stina's pressure approach and injection technique.
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