Sedalin for loading? Alternative product?

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MM&PP

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Hi all.

My horses are moving yards next week and can be sticky to load. The lady from the transport company suggested that a few ml's of sedalin can be effective in making them more amiable.

I have had no dealings with this before and am not 100% sure this is a good idea? (please correct me if I am wrong) My gelding can sometimes be slightly wobbly in the lorry so I wouldn't want to do anything which may cause him to be unsteady on his feet...

If this is thought to be a good idea, is there a similar product I can buy off the shelf as oppose to having to ring the vet?

My mare has been worked in a dually by an instructor and within 2 minutes she was on and off the lorry like a pro. Prior to that I had been attempting to load her for hours! I have purchased a dually after he showed me how to use it effectively; but want things to go as smoothly as possible so I don't know what to do?

Both have always got on the lorry and the lady said that she has a 'very positive mental attitude' and has dealt a lot with sticky loaders etc and they always get on her lorry; but for both their sakes I want the whole thing to be as stress free as possible...!

Ahhh! What should I do?!
 
I've used it in this instance for when my colt was very colty and had to load to go to horspital to be gelded, i gave him a couple of ml's sedalin about 3/4 hr before loading him and he was calm and quiet.

My other horse has just a couple of ml before he has his teeth rasped as well with no trouble.

Could you speak with your vets and see if they can give you some, it is no more expensive than some of the calmer syringes you can get and would probably work better too!

You can get calmers like nupafeed and the like in wormer syringes as well.
 
I think going down the ground work route will work if you have faith in it. You need to become the leader when you are schooling with the halter, any scepticism or hesitation will be detected by your horse and they will become unsure about your leadership. You have to be good at covering up any doubts or lack of confidence, nervousness and if you can do that, the halter WILL work, as you saw when your instructor worked with your horse. That will mean you will not need sedatives as your horses will not be nervous. Also have faith in the transporter, they are experienced at loading historical "bad loaders". Incidentally, I find bad loaders are made nervous by their owners who expect problems and are on edge to begin with. You also get onlookers, arms folded, staring intently at the horse which also makes the situation worse. Ask any spectators to please move away and if you cannot stay calm and relaxed, leave the loading to the transport lady and you carry on loading your car:).
Good luck next week.
 
My Shetland was put back on the lorry after injected sedation for removal of a lump at the vets.
He was obviously given time to recover, but I was more hesitant than the vet as I felt he was still quite wobbly. However I think the adrenalin kicks on, as whilst he was a bit careful on the ramp. He travelled home without a problem.
I'm sure you'll be fine with sedalin.
 
As another suggestion, do you have a lorry you can practice on. My mums horse was very sticky about getting on the lorry.
Lunge lines and brooms just upset him.
Anyhow my mum decided to use the softly softly approach and used food to slowly encourage him onto the ramp.
The first few times took ages, but every day she got him in and gave him some nice mix, and stood him in the lorry longer and longer.
After a week he would walk straight on. She took him to a clinic, he loaded straight away, we broke down on an A1 slip road and all the hustle and bustle that invloved. Fixed lorry, did clinic, and reloaded no probs. He's a sensitive horse and we've learnt over the years he responds to the kind approach rather than forceful tactics... He also trusts my mum 100% (didn't used to)
 
try and test how much you would need i always use sedalin for clipping legs, loading etc and have some at home at all times

BUT

i gave some to my 4yo a few years ago to clip his legs (only 2 mls) as usual and he didnt wake up for about 2 days - where as his mum needs a whole tube to even get near her with clippers x
 
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