Massive needle phobia - treatment options for emergencies?!

Thanks, domosedan is what we use but she still snaps out of it ( then goes back under when its over!). Mind you I dont pay 40 quid a syringe, that seems steep :)
 
Lots of people are saying they get dragged around a stable in circles, get trodden on and crushed. even at the vets. Why don't people use stocks? I worked on a big horse ranch and everything was done in the stocks. They are also fed in there, so don't just have negative associations.
Wouldn't it be easier to put the horse in the vets stocks, cross tie, then just inject? Injecting takes a nano second- I have done hundreds myself. It doesn't have to be a big deal if the horse is aware of what you are going to do and knows it isn't a big deal.
I have previously gone into the large herd field with a rucksack and plastic box. I then gave three injections of vaccination to all 60 horses one after the other without a head collar. They each got a polo afterwards. Then I ticked their name off the list, put the used sharps in my bucket with a lid and moved on to the next one. The whole deal took under an hour!
 
I would expect this to take months but its worth a try. Every day as often as possible I would walk the horse around and when everything was peaceful & without warning the horse I would quickly tap the horse on the neck (wherever it is usually injected) once very quickly, and would immediately rub the area to make it a pleasant experience; and quickly walk on and do something else as though it was nothing. If this was not possible I would tap somewhere else on the horse where it was possible, and then work nearer to the scary spot, as & when the horse allows it. (Never force it). When the horse stopped freaking out and was O.K. with that I would then take a piece of straw, let the horse see it & smell it. Then hold it as though it was a syringe; - and repeat the patting with the straw sticking up- without warning; -again at every opportunity - until the horse became bored with being scared of it. This should be done before the horse even knows that you are about to do it. The pat has got to be over before he knows it. -Perhaps several times a day -probably for months - or as long as it takes. Always making the experience a pleasant one. I would also use PAX aromatic which has a trusting effect on horses. which might give you the edge. Whatever happens you should always make the experience a happy and pleasant one. I also agree that Kelly Marks is a good source of help. :)
Nudibranch said:
We have an 18 yo CB. She's seemingly had a very bad experience when younger as she is completely needle phobic. Vet has only ever seen one other as bad. Even after a whole syringe of sedative, snoring and head on the floor, she switches on and goes nuts at any attempt to inject.

This year we agreed to give up the vaccinations. It just isn't worth the risk to us and stress to her and she gets worse each time. However, it made me wonder about what happens if something serious happens and she needs some kind of treatment. I guess a bullet is the only option really. Has anyone else had a horse with this much fear and how did you manage it? She is absolutely genuine in every other way but this is so deep rooted and severe. Vet suspects even if we had a proper horse crush (which we don't) she'd battle her way out rather than be jabbed!

My mum jokingly suggested a dart gun but I did seriously wonder if regular vets use them?
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I'd never put my horse in stocks again, he kicked out while in them and ripped the front of his leg open and in the process put all his back out (which I had spent 100's on getting right with physio) they are fine for keeping quiet ones still but not for something that is going to do anything possible to avoid a needle!
 
Imogen Rose said:
Lots of people are saying they get dragged around a stable in circles, get trodden on and crushed. even at the vets. Why don't people use stocks? I worked on a big horse ranch and everything was done in the stocks. They are also fed in there, so don't just have negative associations.
Wouldn't it be easier to put the horse in the vets stocks, cross tie, then just inject? Injecting takes a nano second- I have done hundreds myself. It doesn't have to be a big deal if the horse is aware of what you are going to do and knows it isn't a big deal.
I have previously gone into the large herd field with a rucksack and plastic box. I then gave three injections of vaccination to all 60 horses one after the other without a head collar. They each got a polo afterwards. Then I ticked their name off the list, put the used sharps in my bucket with a lid and moved on to the next one. The whole deal took under an hour!
Click to expand...

IMO Stocks are an option when desperate, but when it is something that has to be done routinely, the only responsible thing it to try and prepare your horse for it - in the end it saves time money and makes life more pleasant for all.
 
fburton said:
Canteron's advice is really good, imo - combining desensitization with counter-conditioning and/or overshadowing. I agree that overcoming aversion to injections is something that needs to be worked on. Here's an article by Dr Sue McDonnell, a vet who is also a behaviour expert, on this very subject.

http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/equinebehavior/publixs/Papers/How to Injection Shyness.pdf
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I was just going to add this suggestion from the article.

" We find that the best work area is a large enclosure
with good footing and headroom, as opposed to any
type of confining stall or stocks."

I learned a good few years ago stables aren't the best (or safest) environment for any procedure involving a frightened or nervous horse.
 
fburton said:
Canteron's advice is really good, imo - combining desensitization with counter-conditioning and/or overshadowing. I agree that overcoming aversion to injections is something that needs to be worked on. Here's an article by Dr Sue McDonnell, a vet who is also a behaviour expert, on this very subject.

http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/equinebehavior/publixs/Papers/How to Injection Shyness.pdf
Click to expand...
This article by Dr Sue McDonell is wonderful & should be required reading by every horse owner.
 
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