Update on heel pain mystery and new problem!

[actnatural09]

Farrier came yesterday and she still tested positive to the hoof tester on her heels and he said she has actual bruising! He said the last farrier tried to make a shoe that was too big fit her by bending the bars of the shoe in more which put too much pressure on her heel. He also said her heel was uneven from where the guy trimmed one more than

Comments

[onewhiterose117]

One trainer I worked with gave IM and sub-Q in the chest area, more or less the breast. I don't personally feel comfortable doing it in this vicinity, so working with my rescued mare I did what you're intending to do, I desensitized her to the needle. Being a vet tech in training at a clinic, I was also able to change up the situation a little, once or twice a week I would actually give her a shot, just isotonic saline, essentially fluids. But by doing this she essentially got over her phobia. I might suggest that for giving shots that are necessary right now that you get the type of needle that is not "screw on" also known as a luer lock. A luer slip syringe will save those few precious moments of having to fiddle with the needle in her flesh. The only difference is one screws on, and with the other, the needle attachment just fits over the tip of the syringe.

[actnatural09]

thanks for the suggestion of luer lock. I will be asking my vet to make sure she includes them with the drugs for the farrier instead of screw on. thanks! Ive been playing with her this week, stuffing her face with applejacks while pretending to give the shot. She has gotten MUCH better but I am waiting to see her she will be for the vet tomorrow when they do IV ace or whatever they suggest.

[wastedrock]

my horse HATES shots too, I work with him but I think he always will. He is however, safe with a lip chain on, and you must not stab him. I'd try that with her too, lip chain her (it doesn't have to be cranked, but it gets their mind off the needle) and instead of the tap tap stab method, tap tap and slide the needle in slowly. It really helped Jake to not be so scared when there was no stabbing :p

[infinitlight]

This is good advice!

I'd add that you don't need to 'tap' the site if it makes your horse tense up--you can just rub the site with your alcohol wipe. Sometimes I find it makes a big difference just not tapping the site or stabbing with the needle.

[wastedrock]

Thanks!
Yeah Jake doesn't appreciate the tapping really either. My vet has figured out a perfect way to administer it, but he still tenses every time and gets a knot. But it is a LOT better than it used to be, Jake used to break needles..

[miladyelizabeth]

One of my mares came from her previous owner with the warning "she hates shots, we always have had to sedate her." She's otherwise very level headed, so a week before the vet was due for spring shots, we tried this: cookie, neck scratches, cookie, neck scratches, needle, cookie, neck scratches. The mare was absolutely fine. My trainer did the same thing when the vet came (the same vet who had treated her for years at her old barn) and she behaved herself then, too.