Why Is My Horse Needle-Shy?

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 to become needle-shy, permanently.

Does needle-shyness in horses get better on its own?

Unless the problem is addressed, needle-shyness in horses doesn't tend to get better. In fact, the problem usually worsens over time. This is because the brains of all animals are hard-wired to remember scary or painful experiences, and to try and avoid those experiences again in the future.

What is happening when my horse is needle-shy?

When a horse is once again faced with a situation where it seems like someone is going to try and give them an injection, a region in their brain devoted to sending out 'alarm' signals is automatically triggered. This results in what's called a sympathetic nervous system response: the horse's heart rate spikes, blood is diverted to the muscles so they can be put to work, the pupils dilate to enhance vision, all non-essential bodily functions, like digestion, are slowed, and chemicals and hormones are released to boost energy and increase strength. This 'fight or flight' response also triggers the emotion of fear, which is a powerful motivator to tell animals they must try and escape by any means possible. This is why needle-shy horses won't stand still, they pull away, run over or drag the handler, panic, rear, kick, bite, or strike, or otherwise try to escape when anyone attempts to give them an injection.

What problems do needle-shy horses face?

Horses that are needle-shy are not only difficult or dangerous to handle, but the issue may stop them from receiving critical health care such as vaccines, or even emergency medical treatment. Having a needle-shy horse also presents challenges when owners want to get routine blood tests, such as a Coggins, when it is time to show or sell the horse.

Needle-shy horses may badly injure handlers or veterinarians when attempts are made to give them a needle or injection. Or they may be the ones who are hurt. For example, it's not unheard of for a needle-shy horse to flip over backwards if, in their panic, they rear to try and get away.

Left untreated, needle shy horses can also develop other strong fears. For example, the needle shy horse may become terrified just at the sight of any veterinarian - even if the horse is not scheduled to receive an injection that day. Or, they may start to become frightened when they hear or see the veterinarian's truck simply arrive at the barn

Help for a needle-shy horse

If you have a needle-shy horse, don’t despair. Here is some good news:

• Needle shyness in horses can usually be resolved. Yes, even the worst cases! This means that after treatment, horses who were once needle shy can receive injections again in the future, without fear.

• With the right guidance, both horse owners and equine professionals can learn low-stress techniques to effectively help horses overcome needle-shyness.

If you're a horse owner, The Needle-Shy Horse program can teach you how to help your horse tolerate having injections again, without fear.

For veterinary staff, the Needle-Shy Horse platform will be your go-to resource for practical, evidence-based courses on how to prevent needle-shyness in horses, manage needle-shy patients, and even help your needle-shy horse clients overcome the issue, for good!

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