I have been using the oxytocin protocol for a few years now and have used the insulin syringes without any problems for numerous shots. However, for the first time I had a mare violently shake her head this morning and she broke the needle off in her neck!!! I have a call into my vet and waiting to hear back from her. Unfortunately the needles are SO small I can’t even feel it to try and dig, so thinking at this point that the vet will need to shave and get it out? Anyone had this happen? I think I might just go back to the regular needles after this! I sure don’t need this stress!!
Wow, I’ve never heard of that happening before! We started using insulin syringes with a mare who reacts violently to needles and needed the oxytocin protocol. The insulin syringes solved the problem and the mare doesn’t even feel them. Let us know how it goes.
Oh man, that is crazy Cindy! I have used them lots but always as an IV shot when using tranq.
Oh no! I just discussed doing this with my vet yesterday for my maiden we hope to breed this week because she is a total needle-phobe.
That’s why I won’t use them for horses.
What did you vet say? Curious now 
Vet checked her over and even shaved her to look but absolutely no sign of it. She thinks it fell out when it broke and never was or is no longer in there. I am praying she is right!
Would it show up on an xray?
This is what makes me uneasy about using those types of needles. I’ve had horses move suddenly with large needles in them, and bend them completely perpendicular to the barrel! Those tiny needles break so easily, and while I’m sure it does help to use smaller ones, I find needle phobic horses to get upset the moment they think they MIGHT be getting a shot. They don’t care how small the needle is. It’s pure anxiety over the mere idea of getting a shot.
If you have a big magnet, go over the ground with it, maybe it fell onto the ground? I’d worry about a horse, dog, cat, etc stepping on it later on. I get finer gauge needles, but not anything so fine as an insulin needle - they bend way too easy. Scary, I never thought of one breaking off in a horse!
