crazyhorsey
New User
My horse is terrified of the vet and wondered if anyone has any ideas to help me get her use to the vet. 
My Horse is Scared of the Vet, can you help me?
- Thread starter crazyhorsey
- Start date
Loulou2002
Well-Known Member
My horse has to be sedated for the vet to do her teeth as she is a nightmare. Usually rearing and jumping forward. Obviously the problem is sedating her in the first place! I usually get her attention with a carrot while he quickly does the jab.....no mean feat! Or we twitch her which is the easiest option.
Brightbay
Well-Known Member
Need more info 
Is your horse afraid of (a) all vets (even ones not in "vet uniform") or only the vets she's already met?
Is your horse afraid of (b) vets regardless of where they are, for vet procedures in stable, for vet procedures at the vet?
Is your horse afraid of (c) the vet giving injections, the vet checking breathing/temperature, the vet doing hoof testing, the vet watching in the distance as you trot horse up for lameness exam, the vet arriving in their car?
Is your horse OK if the vet does their thing when the horse is standing outside their stable with a haynet? Is your horse OK if the vet does their exam when the horse is standing e.g. in an arena on a lead line?
Is your horse afraid of the vet, or what the vet does? So if e.g. dental work, is the horse still afraid if this is done by an EDT instead of vet? If lameness exam, is horse also afraid of farriers?
Once you've answered these, it's easier to make suggestions as to what you can do to help
ETA LouLou2002 - ask your vet for Domosedan. It's a gel form of the sedation they usually give by injection. You can give it to your horse 40 mins before the vet arrives, and when vet arrives the horse will be nice and sleepy, so no stress.
Is your horse afraid of (a) all vets (even ones not in "vet uniform") or only the vets she's already met?
Is your horse afraid of (b) vets regardless of where they are, for vet procedures in stable, for vet procedures at the vet?
Is your horse afraid of (c) the vet giving injections, the vet checking breathing/temperature, the vet doing hoof testing, the vet watching in the distance as you trot horse up for lameness exam, the vet arriving in their car?
Is your horse OK if the vet does their thing when the horse is standing outside their stable with a haynet? Is your horse OK if the vet does their exam when the horse is standing e.g. in an arena on a lead line?
Is your horse afraid of the vet, or what the vet does? So if e.g. dental work, is the horse still afraid if this is done by an EDT instead of vet? If lameness exam, is horse also afraid of farriers?
Once you've answered these, it's easier to make suggestions as to what you can do to help
ETA LouLou2002 - ask your vet for Domosedan. It's a gel form of the sedation they usually give by injection. You can give it to your horse 40 mins before the vet arrives, and when vet arrives the horse will be nice and sleepy, so no stress.
crazyhorsey
New User
Thank you, iw ill try this next time.
crazyhorsey
New User
Talli, my horse, wont let the vet look into her eyes and nostrils, she wont let the vet put the stethoscope on her body, checking temperature and breathing can cause problems and can get really jumpy if the vet doesn't take time to introduce there self. She is always tied outside of the stable and has treats and hay whilst vets there, but she tends to ignore the food. Any ideas?
Fluffy bunny
Well-Known Member
Second brightbay, my vet is happy to leave a tube of this with me ready for the next visit. It is as effective as the injection, but you have to make sure your vet visits within the timeframe so it doesn't start wearing off.
The last visit my horse had enough sedation to fell an elephant, was twitched, and still put up an impressive ressistance!
The last visit my horse had enough sedation to fell an elephant, was twitched, and still put up an impressive ressistance!