Putting eyedrops in without needing three hands?

[GoldenWillow]

Pony came in with a weepy eye this morning so one vet visit later I have eyedrops to put in him. He's a shetland so easy height, behaving perfectly and I'm still struggling to put them in. I appear to need one hand to hold his head up, one to open his eye and one for the drops ?

Any tips very welcome including pointing out the obvious that I must be missing as I'm sure it shouldn't be this difficult!

 

[BronsonNutter]

I tuck my hand up the inside of the headcollar (left hand for if it's the right eye, and vice versa) which can then both sort of hold the head still and open the eyelids.

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

This is what I do too. The eye ointment given out by vets is tricky to get in without employing this method.

 

[asmp]

I tuck my hand up the inside of the headcollar (left hand for if it's the right eye, and vice versa) which can then both sort of hold the head still and open the eyelids.

This is how I do it too. Works until it’s a horse or pony who stuffs its head up high.

 

[cauda equina]

If it's still difficult you could ask your vet for gel or ointment; they will find their own way into the eye if smeared over the inner corner of the eye

 

[Tiddlypom]

If it's ointment rather than drops, I'll wash my hands thoroughly then put the ointment on a finger and gently brush the ointment across the open eye. That needs only two hands.

I do ask for ointment if it's an option.

ETA cross posted with ce.

 

[GoldenWillow]

Thank you everyone. I'll try the hand through headcollar approach, he's a shetland so can't even put his head too high, I just seem to be struggling out of all proportion with it.

Unfortunately it's eyedrops rather than ointment, I'll see how I get on and how his eye improves (it looked better already this morning). I've used ointment before and found it much easier so will ask vets for ointment if I'm still struggling with the drops.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Possibly easier if you aim to get the drops in the outer corner of the eye, but I know what you mean - the eye really is in a weird place isn't it? Will he allow you to pull his lower eyelid down, to form a little pouch?
Otherwise, get an assistant to offer food a little out of reach so that he has to lift and turn his head. Good luck!