Any tips for getting eye-drops in please?

[FleabittenT]

Hi all,

My mare has an ulcer on her left eye We caught it straight away & the vet has prescribed antibiotic drops for a week.

It wasn't a problem dropping them in a first, but she's got wise & I'm struggling

The evenings aren't so bad, with a helper, but there's no-one around at 6am when I need to do them before work.

I'm using lots of positive reinforcement, pats, carrots when she does stand, but it's becoming more & more of a battle. I'm holding the dropper parallel to her face but paranoid about poking her in the eye, or bruising it by trying to open the lower lid.

Does anyone have any tips? Any advice or ideas would be much appreciated

 

[DollyDolls]

Be firm & do it once, rather that attempting dozens of times.

I kinda weave my hand through the headcollar (Opp hand for eye). The use other hand to peel lids open and have ointment in hand stuck through headcollar.

This works for me, BUT, watch for horses throwing heads up.

 

[Lila]

I just put hand on nose (like how you would when wrapping leadrope round and just pull lower lid down and drop in my girl hated it. Just be quick about it