And what you can do instead, starting today Photo credit to Manon (Nita) Hynes, DVM, ACVB Resident You've seen it happen. The veterinarian pulls up, the syringe comes out, and your horse, who is otherwise perfectly manageable, transforms. Head sky-high, eyes wide, maybe even running backwards, rearing or striking. So someone grabs the stud chain, another person suggests backing them into a corner, or maybe a twitch comes out. And it kind of works. The injection gets done, bar

Learn the common mistakes that worsen a horse’s fear of injections and how to safely help needle-shy horses feel calm and confident.

Needle-shyness in horses happens because the horse is genuinely afraid of some aspect of the injection process. This fear of injections can make veterinary care very stressful for both the horse and the people handling them. But the good news is that it can be addressed, safely and effectively. How not to help a needle-shy horse Unfortunately, needle-shyness can’t simply be "trained away." Common methods that people often try, like using pressure and release or making the “

Having a needle-shy horse is a common complaint of horse owners. Whether you find it frustrating, annoying, or down-right dangerous, take some comfort in knowing you're not alone. The first step towards solving the problem is understanding why it's happening. Why does my needle-shy horse act like this? The number one reason horses are needle-shy is because they had a previous frightening experience when given a needle or injection. Even one such experience can cause a horse t

Here are some top tips on how to inject a needle-shy horse.

The needle-shy horse can wreak havoc in veterinary practice. These horses may barge over handlers, pull away or bolt, rear, or even display aggressive behaviours such as kicking or striking.