[kyryah]

I am considering having Blaze sedated so that we can get her feet trimmed.

Blaze was not handled much before I got her. She has had one trim (I am ashamed to admit) since she has been here. She did not do well. I didn't push her too hard, because she was in foal and grouchy as all get out to boot.

She needs them done BAD. I have never had a set of feet in my paddock that looked like hers, unless it was a rescue that I had JUST brought home. I am ashamed of them.

I am not sure if it would be wise to sedate her. For one, she has a young foal and I don't know if the sedative would pass through the milk and affect him. For two, I know nothing about having a horse sedated. How is it normally handled? Is it a cohesive effort between the vet and the farrier, or can I sedate her myself? This mare HATES needles. I am having to give her penicillan shots, and she is NOT being good about it. I don't have a barn or stocks to put her in. I don't want to resort to rough measures with her at all. I want her to learn that it is okay to have these things done.

Any suggestions, advice, or information?

Kristina

[AllAroundRdr]

I have a mare who's 15 and has had her feet done since the begining of time. Always hot shod, show shoes, all 4, etc - never an issue, PERFECT for anyone who did her.

My last shoer (before the one I'm using now) was evidently having a bad day and decided to pick a fight with her (I wasn't there) ALL I know is they went rounds in the middle of the barn isle with my mare in the cross ties and I got a nasty phone call from him.

For 3 months after I couldn't get a spray bottle near her and getting a shoer under her either without sedating was out of the question - she'd wig and BAD to the point she was dangerous to herself and everyone around her.

Since that day she's been sedated to take the edge off. We went from 1CC of Dermosadan IV to 1/2 CC IM.

I have NO problem sedating if it makes the situation safe for everyone involved.

[JBandRio]

Talk to your vet, because you'll have to get the sedative from him/her anyway, and depending on what it is, have him/her administer it.

Ace can be given orally, but just know that it is hardly any guarantee of having a quiet a horse. A horse can very easily blow through ace and suddenly EXPLODE. Some farriers will refuse to work on an ace'd horse. Dormosedan would be a much more controlled sedative, and the vet would need to give that IV. Unless your farrier is also a licensed DVM, he is NOT allowed to drug your horse.

I am totally not opposed to sedating a horse to get desperate feet trimmed.

This is now your wakeup call though to get her trained

[kyryah]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

This is now your wakeup call though to get her trained

NOT mine. I am not the one that is responsible for a 15 year old mare that had never been handled. You have no idea how far along she has come since she has been here. You couldn't halter her or barely touch her when she first came here, although oddly enough she trailered really well, lol.

None of my other horses have issues. They have all been ground worked. It is the one area that I excel at. My horses come with a crook of my finger or back with a flick, WITH the exception of Blaze, lol.

I will talk to the vet, but it is an absolute nightmare to actually get one out here. I am far from the center of activity, so I was hoping there was something I could do myself.

Any opinions on the sedative harming my foal?

Kristina

[kyryah]

I should also add that she doesn't rear, kick or freak, she just doesn't want to stand still. You have never seen a horse so agile on three legs, lol.

Kristina

[RickB.]

Jordana is correct. Dormosedan is the only chemical restraint that is used when I work on a horse, and it is administered by a veterinarian.

One of my accounts uses ET recip mares and most of them have not had their feet worked on. Even with the Dormosedan, there are a couple whose hind feet I still have never been able to trim.

As for the question regarding the effect on a nursing foal, the veterinarian at the farm where I work, says that the Dormosedan will not harm the foal.

While Dormosedan is usually administered IV, it can be administered IM. It takes longer to take effect IM and it is my experience that a somewhat larger dose is necessary.

I make it a policy to not work on a horse when Acepromazine or Xylazine have been administered.

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by kyryah

NOT mine. I am not the one that is responsible for a 15 year old mare that had never been handled. You have no idea how far along she has come since she has been here. You couldn't halter her or barely touch her when she first came here, although oddly enough she trailered really well, lol.

Sorry, you said she "was not handled much before I got her", and then admitted (ashamedly) that she's only had her feet done once, which makes it sound like she is yours. Even if she is not yours, if it's your responsibility to get her feet done, it becomes your responsibility to work with her on this, or else the horse suffers. If you are merely holding the horse for the farrier when he's there, it is a bit of a different responsibility, but in the end, if you are the one caring for the horse, the horse has to be trained to behave for the farrier. I am not trying to be condescending, really, but in the end the horse suffers for the lack of training. Someone has to start (or finish) her Hoof Handling 101 training.

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by kyryah

I should also add that she doesn't rear, kick or freak, she just doesn't want to stand still. You have never seen a horse so agile on three legs, lol.

Kristina

Sounds like she has your number and isn't afraid to call it

[kyryah]

Thanks for the info.

I am afraid what I am going to have to do is haul her to the vet and have a farrier meet me there. I hate the thought of trailering her with the foal, but, we will see what I can come up with.

If I can get into a certain one of the vet clinics, I beleive one of the techs is also a farrier. Not sure if she can do the trimming, though.

I will have to call them and see what they say.

Kristina

[kyryah]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

Sorry, you said she "was not handled much before I got her", and then admitted (ashamedly) that she's only had her feet done once, which makes it sound like she is yours. Even if she is not yours, if it's your responsibility to get her feet done, it becomes your responsibility to work with her on this, or else the horse suffers. If you are merely holding the horse for the farrier when he's there, it is a bit of a different responsibility, but in the end, if you are the one caring for the horse, the horse has to be trained to behave for the farrier. I am not trying to be condescending, really, but in the end the horse suffers for the lack of training. Someone has to start (or finish) her Hoof Handling 101 training.

I understand what you are saying, and yes she is my horse, but I do not need a "wake up call." I know what the problem is, and I am addressing it. However, I do not want my mare crippled in the time it is going to take her to become used to being handled.

She doesn't have my number, lol. I do NOT allow her to take her foot back until I say so. But she is really good at hopping in circles.

At least I am not throwing my hands in the air and saying, "Oh well, guess it won't get done." I never said that I am not working with her. I just want this done before it gets any worse, and then I have plenty of time to instill more training.

Kristina