Putting eye cream into eyes of stroppy horse! Help!!!

D

dozzie

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 November 2006
Messages
8,670
Location
Hampshire
Visit site
Im having to put eye cream into my mares eyes. First three days I managed but now she has got wise to it and isnt having any of it. Last night it looked more like mascara so dont think any went in!

Bearing in mind shes 16.2 and Im 5'4.

Have tried bridle, chifney, neck twitch but she just throws herself about. Its getting to the point where I may have to get vet out to sedate just to put the eye stuff in! .

Anyone got any other ideas? Or shall I just ring the vet!

Would an over the counter sedative work?

Thanks in advance. Sorry if this should be in vets but need urgent replies.
 
We did it over the weave grill, yes they pull back but if you put a sterilised glove on your hand and use your finger you won't stab her with the tube. (and you can be very quick!)
Or try feeding her in a bucket with the same approach. I never use the tube, first it contaminates it if it touches the eye and second I throw away the disposable glove each time..
 
i took the calm approach wiht my boy, i stood on a bucket stroked him, so he was nice and relaxed, started quietly rubbing his face round the eye area , holding drops or cream in right hand slowly moving over to the eye from the top of his head, so he couldnt see the bottle, then with my left hand pulled his lower lid down and just popped the drops in, somtimes i just put the drops to the corner of his eye and just let them run in, took a bit of practice but he was a star.
I must admit i found the eye cream alot easier to get in than the drops
Hope that make sense
Best of luck
smile.gif

Debs x
 
We had a mare who had to have eye drops/cream for months,exactly like yours ending up having to nose twitch her each day to get it in
frown.gif
cos she would just fling her head/barge you and forher sake and ours we twitched, few seconds and it was all over with
 
I can try a nose twitch but mine is pretty rubbish, if I can find it! I think using my finger may help as I can lull her into a false sense of security by rubbing the eye.

I hope I dont have to do this for months!!!
frown.gif
 
DM - if its absolutely critical this cream goes in and you may have to do it for some time, the vet can sew a tiny thin tube up her neck so one end of it is just at the corner of her eye and the other end about by her shoulder. Then you just apply the medication to the shoulder end and she won't associate you with the stuff going into her eye. If its not quite that serious, I would echo a hundredfold that the SAFEST way by far is the sterilised finger technique. My boy ended up losing an eye coz the yard staff stabbed him in the eye with the sharp end of the eye cream tube. It can be done with one person like that, especially if you tie the horse up short and give polos before and after. Good luck! x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top