[Sterling]

I would like to be able to learn how to give shots. Does anyone have any advice on a way to practice (not on an animal). How did you all learn to give your first shots ?? My fears are poking them too many times until I figure out exactly how much pressure/force it takes to penetrate thier hide as I dont want to be excessivley rough. We have altogether 11 horses on our property and 4 adults none of which know how to administer a shot, so I thought I would learn incase we ever need to give treatment to any of the animals by way of injections. I plan to do the annual vaccinations this year so I would like to practise. I have read up on it and know about the 4 zones that the shot should be given and would prefer to stick to the triangle on the neck. Any advice is appreciated. I asked my vet and he says Jab it in and squirt (not what I was looking for).

[tbtrainer]

You can practice on an orange or grapefruit! Jab and squirt isnt a very good description... always pull back a little so you know you are not hitting a vein.

[JumpsxGlory]

My vet showed me, I highly recommend having yours show you. Teaching things like this via the world wide web isn't the smartest idea IMO... If done incorretly damage can be done.

[sirrockstar]

always make sure to give it in the "triangle" of the neck. my trainer always slaps there neck a few times, then puts it in. but some of the horses learn that slapping means a shot im still to scared to do it, i agree with jumpsxglory on having a vet show you

[DiamondRio]

I would also have hte vet show you just so you know.
We do all of our horses shots because we have over 50 and it would be one hugeee vet bill.

Make sure you give it in the triangle of the neck and what we do is pinch the skin where you are going to give the shot to tighten the skin a little. Then tap the area a few times to numb it a little and then stick them. Make sure before you inject the shot that you pull back to make sure you dont see any blood, then depress the plunger.
Sometimes when we are giving a larger amount we will pull back once more halfway through just to be safe.

[Sterling]

Thank you all very much, I will ask the vet if he can slow it down and show me :>

[JBandRio]

Yes, have your vet show you the technique, then practice on some fruits.

Then, just know that just like various types of fruits, different horses will have different skin thicknesses. Some are quite thin-skinned, literally, and some have what seems like elephant hide

I'd given my TB gelding plenty of Adequan shots. Nice easy thin skin. Then, I had to give penicillin to my WB. My first needle stick literally bounced off him The 2nd one went in the smidgiest of smidges, and I had to push the rest of the way in. Well, didn't HAVE to, I just did - oops. The 3rd stick I'd figured it out and it went well from there.

[Gottagallop]

I think penicillin is the hardest shot to give. I had a mare once that had shipping flu that i gave penicillin too and she was good but its harder for us more then the horses. ALWAYS give shots in triangle of neck. Unless coggins of course but only vet can do coggins. I have my vet do coggins and rabies so i have proff for show besides that i do my own shots usually. My last horse i had the vet do because she was a PAIN to give shots so i figured i could hold her while she gave her a shot and she did much better. Most horses are good with shots though.

My first time was scary.. I didnt know how far to put the needle and with penicillin it bubbles up easily and has to be injected slowly or slower the normal shots =). witch was weird.

[Lindsayanne]

Call your vet out to do vaccinations (or haul in) but ask (in advance) if he will let you be the one to do the injections. That way you get a private lesson, in person, from someone who really knows. Well worth the cost.

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by Gottagallop

I think penicillin is the hardest shot to give. I had a mare once that had shipping flu that i gave penicillin too and she was good but its harder for us more then the horses.

I actually left out a little important detail of my story - the needle for Adequan is MUCH smaller than the needle for pen, as pen is a fairly thick liquid. So, that makes a big difference too in how easily the needle goes in.

ALWAYS give shots in triangle of neck. Unless coggins of course but only vet can do coggins.

Coggins is the name of a blood test, which means to "have a Coggins done" means the vet is drawing blood, which comes from the jugular artery

I have my vet do coggins and rabies so i have proff for show besides that i do my own shots usually.

As per above, the Coggins is a blood test. A vet *must* draw the blood and fill out the paperwork so that it's legal proof that the right blood is paired with the right horse.

Rabies is another issue, and is state-dependent (as per a fairly long thread here not long ago) as to whether it's required that a vet give the shot or not.

My first time was scary.. I didnt know how far to put the needle and with penicillin it bubbles up easily and has to be injected slowly or slower the normal shots =). witch was weird.

Yes, being thick, it can't be injected quickly. You do have to shake at least procaine penicillin very well before drawing it up, hence some bubbles. However, you should never inject it with the bubbles. Tap them out first.