Sedating for the farrier

Crazycob06

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Anyone else do it?
I have to for the first time next weekend and just wanted some advice. I know the vet will instruct me on how much and when but just wanted some general advice really as I'm a bit nervous. I've never given my mare anything before!

I'm worried its going to cost a fortune, not work and I'll loose a good farrier! Lol! But I am a worrier! It could be fine....
 
My connemara used to hate having the shoes burned onto his feet. Stood like a gem for everything but when it got to the burning he would flip. We sedated him once with Dormosedan which did work but i hated the idea of doing it every time as he took ages to come round and i thought it was unnecessary. He is now barefoot and we havn't looked back. (not trying to say it is best or anything, just meaning this is why we dont have the problem anymore :P)
 
I've done it. I have also gone barefoot.

Mine wasn't a fan of the farrier and then just as we'd got her happy she had some hoof problems and the vet used hoof testers on her which set her right back so we had her sedated by the vet and then used sedalin. Our vet doesn't like prescribing dermosedan for farrier visits for the safety of the farrier.

Don't worry, if using sedation helps your horse realise that the farrier isn't traumatic then it is a good thing. But do consider whether you have the right farrier you need one who is patient and kind but not easily put off who is a decent judge of the difference between a horse being naughty and a horse who is upset. Mine has been a godsend and never loses his temper.
 
Is the horse that bad with the farrier? what does she do?

I've ordered some sedalin from the vets (not arrived yet) so that I can catch my pony for the farrier, he's really nervous and won't let me get hold of his head collar, so im hoping that will do the trick! I know he'll be okay once he's caught, its just the catching him bit that's the problem!
 
Is the horse that bad with the farrier? what does she do?

I've ordered some sedalin from the vets (not arrived yet) so that I can catch my pony for the farrier, he's really nervous and won't let me get hold of his head collar, so im hoping that will do the trick! I know he'll be okay once he's caught, its just the catching him bit that's the problem!

How are you going to catch him to give the sedalin lol?
 
Hello,

I used to sedate my horse with sedalin for the farrier because he was a terrible fidget and after about 5 minutes would become very anxious and difficult to shoe (sometimes they would have to come back!). Sedation worked very well and now I don't have to use it at all - make sure that you are putting in the ground work though -inbetween visits spend time handling his/her hooves/legs and getting him/her used to being tied up for longer periods of time, I also changed to a farrier that is very quiet and calm. Its also worth making sure that your horse doesn't have any physical problems as this will make it difficult for him/her to stand on 3 legs for any length of time.

It is quite expensive but aim to just use it for the short term and it will be worth it, Hope it all goes well!
 
I used to have the vet to sedate my mare as she hated being shod. It was stressful just getting the vet and farrier to turn up at the right times! It did work, although she would still throw in the odd vertical rear, we managed to get shoes on.

In the end though I found out it was pain related and so I stopped putting her through it and turned to barefoot.
 
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