Cant worm horse :(

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poiuytrewq

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One of my horses had a nasty mouth injury a few months back and I had to clean the area daily by squirting water in his mouth with a hose (vet instruction) this soon became impossible, then a syringe which also became impossible! All is healed now but he's become quite head shy and in particular his mouth.
I'm only recently able to wash him after work with a hose or even get him anywhere near the tap area of the yard.
Anyway tonight I wormed them all but I just can't do him. I can put a bit in with no trouble and check the injury that way quickly but other than that his mouth is very much out of bounds. I half looked at the easy wormer bits online just now but am worried it may cause issues tacking up if I use one!
He's a fussy eater and I'm 99% sure he wouldn't eat if I put it in his food.
Don't really want it wasted so any bright ideas would be great!
 
Is the easy wormer the device that is like a bit with a hole? You squirt the wormer into the end? I can't see any problem for worming with that. It is you trying to put something into his mouth that he doesn't like, not the actual wormer. How about put a bit of treacle on the bit thing, so he will associate it with something nice.
 
Can you get your fingers safely in the side of his mouth? You might be able to put one third on your fingers and smear it on and under his tongue, then repeat twice. This is how I do one of mine, and my minis. If that was still a problem I would mix it with golden syrup first, it's VERY sticky!
 
Try apple juice in with his food and the wormer mixed in to make it taste nice? Its the only thing that's worked with my horse to make him take his pain killers that taste disgusting even to him, and he'll eat anything.
 
You can get wormer tablets, I've used them a few times on nervous horses and not had a problem with them not eating them.

But, does he need worming? Can you not just do an egg count while you work on getting his confidence again?
 
I would definitely try and easy wormer, our mare is totally non plussed about it (and also had some mouth syringing at one point).
 
The easywormer I found so easy, and no fuss! I don't need to use it with mine now but it was a godsend when mine was fussy with her mouth
 
You have my sympathy. My last horse was a blighter to worm. Even the hollow bit where you squirt it into the side didn't work - he was 17.1 and would just stick his head in the air and execute pirouettes round the stable. Got to the point where he would let me syringe in apple sauce and treacle but no matter how careful I was he would smell the wormer a mile off.

The only person who could worm him was the YM, who used to do it really quickly and stealthily when turning out or catching in - turn round to close the gate, turn back, squirt it in super fast before the horse realised what was happening. I would have ended up being towed down the field or worse, don't know how he managed it.

Hope you are able to find a solution!
 
Ah well maybe I'll give it a try.
In response to the do I really need to worm question, I wouldn't normally at this time of year but doing fec is hard at the moment as I have 5 living away from the yard in a big field so who's poo is who's is anyone's guess! I'd imagine they possibly don't need doing but was hesitant to risk it incase.
Micropony same! He was lifting me totally off the ground and swinging me round like a doll!
 
I have given up arguing with my draft - it was getting pricey with broken head collars. It's surprising what they will eat in the feed if you leave them to stew for a while, even equest pramox which smells vile.
 
Another vote for the tablets, although I can't remeber what they cover so I'd check this, but they usually go down well
 
SEL said:
I have given up arguing with my draft - it was getting pricey with broken head collars. It's surprising what they will eat in the feed if you leave them to stew for a while, even equest pramox which smells vile.
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^ This

Our fussy one gets left in the stable first thing in the morning with the feed including wormer and nothing else. First time it took him 3 hours of temper tantrum (kicking door, shouting) to eat up. Now he glares at the bucket and gobbles it all within 10 minutes. Even Pramox!
 
I found the easywormer didn't allow a full dose, some got stuck inside. Bread sandwiches work except for Pramox which apparently tastes bitter (the rep told me that was the active ingredient and nothing they could do). I get the tablets too, for one thing I can share a couple of packs between three horses etc.
 
I'm hoping normal service will resume! He's usually so easy to do, I was surprised at the reaction yesterday as i thought we were over the injury fiasco! I may try again with a bridle on as he's very much less suspicious tacked up!
I have used the tablets before and the others wont eat them, I'd prefer to do all the same and already have this tube sat waiting for him.
Thanks everyone!
 
I would agree some gets stuck in an easywormer but with a sub 500kg horse and an 800kg tube of wormer I've never considered it an issue :D
 
poiuytrewq said:
I'm hoping normal service will resume! He's usually so easy to do, I was surprised at the reaction yesterday as i thought we were over the injury fiasco! I may try again with a bridle on as he's very much less suspicious tacked up!
I have used the tablets before and the others wont eat them, I'd prefer to do all the same and already have this tube sat waiting for him.
Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...

You could practise with apple puree in a syringe so he gets to enjoy it again, then clobber him with the wormer. Problem will be the first apple puree one, maybe that one wearing his bridle?
 
windand rain said:
I use equimax tablets for my naughty pony sandwiched between extra strong mints
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My mare used to eb good and easy to worm, no idea what went wrong.Tried everything, including thick jam sandwiches, molasses and Easy Wormer. The Tablets mixed with Extra Strong mints is the ONLY way I can get any wormer in her, not the best but better than nothing.
 
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