Horse (Supposedly) Really Bad With Needles

[Callista17]

I had a horse that was great for shots.

She had a WN vaccine, then the vet came out to do the booster. I was not there, but the barn manager was. She was fine, 30 minutes later, after everyone had left because of a snow storm, my best friend got there, walked past her stall and say she had a reaction. She was in shock, trouble breathing, lips looked like a draft, eyes swelling shut. My friend and her boyfriend at the time, made a mix of all meds they could find- dex, benedryl, etc, since clearly she was in distress, and they got it in her, before her throat closed up.

She was ok after that, however the next time A vet came out, she panicked. Over time, she was much, much better. But somehow, I do think she knew vet= feeling like crap.

[Xanthoria]

My OTTB was dangerous for shots: rearing and striking. I recommend clicker training, as others have! But back then I didn’t know about clicker training.

I trained him by breaking it down into tiny steps, and repeating daily and forever.

Start by getting a load of treats, every day, and at first he’d get one for letting me place a hand on his neck. Do that over and over until he stands still every time. Then when that’s SOLID (a day later? a week?) a pinch of his neck skin. Don’t let go til he stands still - reward the minute he’s still. Perfectly still. Then a pinch that lasts while he stays longer, and longer. Then a pinch, stillness, and the other hand coming up with a finger to poke him. Then a pinch, stillness, poke with your fingernail. Then pinch, hold a syringe up. On and on, until you can poke in a needle and he’s perfectly still. Then add a second person. Go back as many steps as needed until they can do it all too.

To the very end if I needed him to stand like a statue I’d pinch his neck and he’d await his treat. My vet could give him an IV and he’d cock a leg.

[GreyHntr]

@Xanthoria

My OTTB was dangerous for shots: rearing and striking. I recommend clicker training, as others have! But back then I didn’t know about clicker training.

I trained him by breaking it down into tiny steps, and repeating daily and forever.

Start by getting a load of treats, every day, and at first he’d get one for letting me place a hand on his neck. Do that over and over until he stands still every time. Then when that’s SOLID (a day later? a week?) a pinch of his neck skin. Don’t let go til he stands still - reward the minute he’s still. Perfectly still. Then a pinch that lasts while he stays longer, and longer. Then a pinch, stillness, and the other hand coming up with a finger to poke him. Then a pinch, stillness, poke with your fingernail. Then pinch, hold a syringe up. On and on, until you can poke in a needle and he’s perfectly still. Then add a second person. Go back as many steps as needed until they can do it all too.

To the very end if I needed him to stand like a statue I’d pinch his neck and he’d await his treat. My vet could give him an IV and he’d cock a leg.

This is great, I appreciate the breakdown! This is very reassuring