Because horses are prey animals, veterinarians and farriers may be concerned about restraining and handling horses during examinations and hoof maintenance.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do as a horse owner to ease their concerns. Let’s take a look at some tips on how to keep your horse calm during a visit to the veterinarian or farrier.
Tips on how to calm a horse for the vet or farrier
1. Read your horse’s body language
Below are some of the main signs of a relaxed horse compared to a stressed horse.
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ear: Sideways or drooping, relaxed ears suggest that the horse is calm and comfortable. Ears pointed sharply towards something, especially if accompanied by large eyes, indicate high interest and potential anxiety. If your dog’s ears are pulled back, it may indicate irritability or aggression.
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eye: Soft, half-closed eyes and slow blinking are signs of relaxation. If you see the whites of the eyes, it means the horse is alert and stressed.
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jaw: Licking, biting, and yawning are indicators of comfort, but aggressive behavior like pinching or outright biting the handler can indicate high stress levels.
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breathing: A resting, relaxed horse only breathes 8 to 16 times per minute. Rapid breathing and “snoring” are associated with anxiety.
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head posture: Having your head and neck in a neutral position or hanging low is conducive to relaxation. On the other hand, if the head is held high by a tense neck, it means the horse is on high alert.
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Tail: A relaxed horse’s tail hangs down and sways gently. Vigorous tail wagging is certainly a sign of irritation, and is often directed at flies.
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leg: Relaxed horses may rest standing or resting on their hind legs, but repeating their paws can be a sign of stress, irritation, or boredom.
2. Visit your horse friends nearby
As herd animals, horses tend to feel safer with other horses. Plan to have your veterinarian or farrier work in areas where other horses can be seen, such as on walkway ties, in grooming sheds in the barn, or in arenas that your horse is familiar with.
Rather than moving your horse to other areas of your facility, stay in an area where your horse is already familiar and comfortable.
If your horse becomes anxious when separated from his companions, see if you can bring a friend along. This will reduce the chance that your horse will anxiously cry out for a friend during your visit.
“Some horses are really herd-bound (they don’t want to be separated from their mates), so we bring them along just to keep them happy,” he says. Hilary Wittowner of Gray Horse Farmsa lesson and training barn located in Cairo, New York.
3. Use food to distract yourself
Horses are known to have very strong appetites. you can hang hay net If conditions permit, the horse can munch while the veterinarian or farrier works.
“When I’m holding my horse, I like to keep grain and treats in my pocket and give them to them at random times,” says Hoyt. “I find that this focuses the horse’s attention on me rather than what the pros are doing. The treats are a distraction and help me refocus on the handler.”
Treats are also a great positive reinforcement tool to reward your horse for standing quietly.
4. Look for signs of pain
If your horse is unwell or in pain, it can become more stressful. “There are a myriad of hoof conditions that can cause pain in horses when shoeing and may result in a call to the veterinarian,” he says. Daisy WymoreCertified Farrier and Owner Western Equine Wellness LLCa whole equine health practice in Northern California.
Problems that can cause pain in the lower legs and hooves include:
5. Make your visit as comfortable as possible
Managing foot pain and making sure your horse feels safe and comfortable will help your veterinarian and farrier visit go smoothly.
“I offer soft pad for horses If you have sensitivity in your feet,” says Wymore. “This helps provide cushioning if there is difficulty or discomfort standing on the opposite limb while caring for the hoof.”
As herd animals, horses tend to feel safer with other horses.
“Patience and kindness really go a long way,” she added. “I always give my horse as much rest as he needs, sometimes switching to a different hoof.Keeping his legs and body in the most comfortable position can make the difference between a good hoof care visit and a bad one. Masu.”
6. Never use physical force
For everyone’s safety, veterinarians often recommend using chemical restraint (sedation) over physical restraint when dealing with stressed or dangerous horses.
Given that horses are large and sometimes unpredictable prey, using physical force to control them is likely to increase anxiety and cause harm rather than creating a positive experience. It will be.
Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations and never use physical force to make your horse tolerate the procedure.
7. Use sedation if necessary
“The most important thing to remember is that you and the professionals need to stay safe,” Whitt says. In some cases, sedation may be required to safely perform tests and procedures such as putting on shoes. Common sedatives used in horses include:
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Acepromazine: A tranquilizer that provides mild sedation, but no analgesic effects. Acepromazine It can be administered orally and is often used to calm anxious horses in a variety of situations.
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xylazine: A powerful injectable drug that provides sedation, analgesia, and muscle relaxation. Often used in veterinary procedures.
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Detomidine: Detomidine (Dormo Sedan Gel®) provides longer-lasting sedation than xylazine. It is used for longer, more invasive procedures and is known to be effective in reducing both pain and anxiety.
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Butorphanol: Butorphanol (Torbugesic®) is a controlled substance and must be administered by a veterinarian.
In addition to sedation, regular painkillers can help make your horse more comfortable and safer to handle during veterinary visits. As a precautionary measure, Wymore offers clients the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) phenylbutazone (Butte), or other medications prescribed specifically by veterinarians to relieve the horse’s discomfort, at the time of the appointment. Patients are asked to administer the drug before their scheduled appointment.
“Ensuring your horse is as comfortable as possible for their hoof care appointment can make a big difference to them both physically and mentally,” says Wymore.
horse behavior assessment
If your horse shows persistent or unusual signs of distress when your veterinarian or farrier attempts to treat it, consider having a behaviorist evaluate your animal’s behavior.
These can help retrain horses to deal with risky behaviors and withstand interactions with farriers and veterinarians, creating a smoother and safer experience for everyone involved.
Equine behaviorists can be found by: American Society of Animal Behavior Veterinarians Association.
