Difficulty Taking Horse's Temperature

[lionsim]

Hi everyone, first time poster.

I bought a mare a few months ago with an unknown history. The sellers were less than reputable (buyer mistake), but needless to say I am very happy with my horse despite some of the unexpected difficulties. Anyways, the reason for this post is because my mare can be very sensitive about certain areas being touched, namely her udders and under her tail. The under the tail issue particularly came to light when the vet went to take her temperature and she tried to double barrel kick him. I have been working with her daily to help desensitize her. She lets me brush her tail, place my hand between her back legs and further up, closer to her rectum, and hold her tail at the base and lift it up and side to side. She has not tried to kick me, but she will flinch, pin her ears back, and move away quickly. In the last few weeks, she has been pretty calm/“normal” about me placing my hand on the side of her rectum and holding her tail.
The problem is, I’m admittedly a little nervous to actually try taking her temperature again. In about three months I will be moving her out of state so she needs her temperature taken for a health certificate, plus it’s obviously something I would like to be able to do should the need ever arise. Does anyone have any advice/recommendations about what my next steps should be or how I can safely take her temperature before the vet is back out as a means of “practicing” before the big day?

Thanks in advance!

[ShotenStar]

You are on the right track with your current desensitizing routines. Now extend things a bit - by actually rubbing her anus when you have her tail lifted. I’ve found many horses like this, since the area can be a little itchy. Of course, make a fuss of rewarding her with praise or treats when she allows this. Once you can safely touch her anus, I would try inserting the thermometer. A plastic human model with the end well coated in Vaseline or some such lubricant would be my choice. On the first few attempts, just use the tip of the thermometer to rub the lubricant around and in the anus - don’t try for an actual insertion the first time. As you are doing all this, make sure you at her side; she might be able to swing a cowkick at you but at least it will not be a double-barrel. And maybe teach yourself to sing to her while you do all this - holding your breathe in anticipation of a problem can sometimes create the problem by creating tension in your body. Singing keeps you breathing regularly - do the ABC Song if nothing else comes to mind.

star

[lionsim]

Awesome! Thank you. I kind of figured maybe that was the next step, but it’s nice to hear it voiced to me. And you sound like my trainer - she is constantly reminding me to breath and talk to my mare when I’m riding :lol: I will be sure to get started on the next steps right away.

[2DogsFarm]

One More Thing:
Get a veterinary thermometer for this practice.
Make sure you attach the thermometer to something you can hold onto - a loop of twine or? - veterinary thermometers have a ring at one end for this very reason.
Else you risk watching your thermometer disappear into your mare’s nether regions :eek:
Seen it happen…
I’ve even tied a hairclip to the end of the twine so I can clip that into the tail & go about my business while the thermometer is inserted.

[lionsim]

Yup, definitely planning on using a clothes pin to clip it in her tail… can’t be too careful! She definitely won’t be happy if that thing gets stuck in there lol

[bugsynskeeter]

Or just use a digital thermometer that takes less than 10 seconds?

[Scribbler]

Mares are funny and protective about their rear end. They can go from “its my body, no means no!” to “ahh yes more baby more.”

Which can also be a bit unnerving.

I find washing regularly with a warm hose, lady parts and udder too, helps them get used to things going on back there and you can do it slowly and stand out of the way.

I honestly don’t think they can feel much of the thermometer going in, given how big their poop is! It’s more a protective thing for mares.

[Texarkana]

I think horses are generally more behaved with today’s digital thermometers. They tend to be smaller/narrower, they tend to be mostly plastic (no cold glass), they take WAY less time, and there isn’t much risk of it being lost or broken. Keep working on desensitizing her, then start practicing with a quick-reading and well lubricated digital thermometer.