Needle Shy

Britestar

Britestar

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I posted last year about my needle shy 4 yr old and how bad he was. This years vacc has come around, so today is the day - yes, I know its Sunday but Vet is friend and comes in exchange for a meal :).

Anyway, tell her she has one chance and not to mess about, we go in and before I can even give him his treat its done! He never even noticed. Magic :)

He then had cuddles and hugs from both of us, and he's still none the wiser. Speed is the answer for him - at least for vaccs anyway.
 
Excellent news! I resorted to a tube of Dormosedan (sp?) gel to get a tetanus booster done for my needleshy horse - fantastic stuff! He's a big lad who's genuinely terrified & hence is a danger to me, the vet & himself so although it sounds rather drastic it really was the best way for us all.
 
one of mine is also needle shy i end up having to inject him myself as he clocks the vet as soon as they come out the car
 
My vet was surprised to see me pinching the pony's neck prior to be injected the other day. Anyway, when the needle went in, he did not even move, so it works for me!

My theory is that getting a horse used to being pinched (which is no worse than another horse grooming it) makes it less sensitive to when the needle goes in.

In return, the vet told me that gripping the side of the neck with your hand often has a calming effect (though with some it has the reverse effect!). She said it might get the horse to release endorphins as it is kinda similar to a predator catching hold of the horse's neck.

If it works, that's what matters.
 
As you all say, gotta find what works for yours.

Pinching mine will result in a severe squishing to anyone on the ground! He doesn't care who he hurts at that point, including himself. At 16.2hh and me at 5'2" thats not a good option.

Fortunately he loves everyone -(until you try an jab him) so the syringe was prepared out of sight and we sauntered in as if just to speak to him. Not under any illusion this would work for any other kind of injection, but for flu it'll do just fine.
 
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