[newbie owner]

We just bought our first two horses last weekend, and today I had a vet out to give them their vaccinations. One is a 22 yr. old Arabian gelding and the other is a 12 yr. old Morgan mare (Brandy). We started with the mare first because I thought she would be the most cooperative. The experience was horrible. From the first sight of the vet she was having no part in this activity at all. He tried several times to get close enough to place the needle in with no success. Then he used this clamp think on her nose - looked medieval. It seemed to really scare her, and it didn't work. He unfortunately was not able to give her the shots. The Arabian on the other hand was a complete gentlemen and took the shots with no problem. This evening when I went out to feed them Brandy would not come to me when I called her and when she did get close when I reached out to pet her she spooked. Broke my heart. I hated that she had to experience that today. Is this normal practice, and does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get her vaccinated now?

[::Miss Kitty::]

The medeval device is a twitch. I don't like them either, but its necessary sometimes. Mabey your vet can get her needle ready out of your mares sight and hide it in his/her hand.

[Dawn]

You can prepare her for the actual shot, but you don't even really know if she has issues with that. Is she fine around other men? Maybe try a different vet. The twitch is a completely legit thing to use. Although I would have to wonder if it was applied correctly since it didn't help at all.

[EventingDayDream]

Well since vaccines are very important you need to get them some way! Will she let your near her with a needle?? I've had to ace a horse before, you give them a shot in their neck and it is a drug to maker them really calm. Maybe you could get some ace from your vet, and he could teach you how to do it on the arab. (just practice with an empty needle). Its very easy and painless. Then once the Ace kicks in, she should let the vet give her the rest of the shots. This is a little extreme, but I can't really think of anythign else? It wears off in a few hours. Maybe you could try blindfolding her? One of our horses would get so riled up by the farrier, we would blindfold it, then it would immedialty calm down. Sometimes this works, sometimes it only makes the problem worse. Well Its worth a try.

[MissBandit]

Try not to get to discouraged. And even though a twitch looks horrid, it actually is calming to a horse. When their upper lip is twisted like that it releases some sort of chemical (anybody know what it's called??) which relaxes them. Next time, the vet should put the twitch on right away. Once they are dancing around and f r e a king out, it can be hard to get it on correctly.

[ejforrest]

You can work with the horse to get her used to seeing a vet, farrier, and vaccinated.
Work her with a halter on so you have some control. I had a mare that hated shots and was a pain in the butt to work with around vets. I started poking her lighly in the neck with my finger and would increase the poke with my finger once she got used to the light poking. I would also wear a stethoscope and go thru the motions a vet would do. The next time I had to have a vet out, she was well behaved. This took "alot" of time and patients. Vaccinations are important.

[harli36]

MissBandit you are right. The twitch hits a pressure point on the horses nose. There is also another pressure point on the horses ears. If put on correctly the twitch will hit this pressure point which releases Endorphins(sp?) these chemicals are what makes the horses happy and relaxed but it's only really effective for about 15 min's. The endorphins have the same effect in people too. Some vets also think that endorphins are released when a horse is cribbing and this is why they get addicted to it.

[Lou3]

It sounds like your vet did everything they could. A twitch is standard practice for a difficult horse. You may need to get her sedated in future.
Lou

[Blistering Winds]

Endorphins is the chemical. It totally relaxes a horse and can get a horse, if done right, to a I dont care.. attitude.

As for this horse, sounds like she had a VERY bad time with a vet once or twice.

We are working with my friends horse who is the same way, but he gets down right VICIOUS toward a vet. He trusts females more than males, but when it comes to shots, he doesn't care.

I gave him his last shot, and he didn't seem to mind too much.

Have the vet show you where to put the needle. Go get you some 20g needles, and work with her. Pop her with a clean needle, and give her a treat. (one of the few times I recommend treats )

Just every few days, do it. Don't do it more than once a day, every other day because the skin can get sore. Rotate sides.

If she gets really good with you, next time the vet comes out, he can hand you the shots and you can give them. Or go pick them up and you can give them. Sometimes horses are flaky like that after a trauma.

BUT, here's the kicker. WHen you work with her without shots, always pat her. Don't rub her. Do it on her neck when you can, in the same spot you would give the shot. THEN, pat her before you pop the needle. Just go ... PAT PAT PAT PAT POP. WOrks on 90 percent of the horses I've worked with. Always do needle first, then attach the syringe so you don't break the needle off if she freaks out over just the needle. If she does, watch where that needle falls, pick it up and toss it away in the garbage with the cap back on.

Good Luck with her. Don't worry about the twitch. It works better than your fingers, which is not fun to do.

[Pony Magic]

Congratulations on your new additions! Do you have a very horse experienced friend that can help you? If not, may I reccommend that you get additional education on horse care. There is so much to learn and even the most experienced horse person is learning all the time. I know the community college around me has an 'equine' series of classes which covers everything from confirmation to nutrition. Maybe you have something like that in your area. The local Pony Club (USPC) is a good resource too.

Good luck, stay informed and love your horses!