The day the vet came to give the horses their yearly booster of tetanus/flu injections, I did just that and paid the price!
Rosie, is not the easiest of horses to catch and to keep calm, but usually she stays calms until she sees the farrier or vet and then she gets very nervous!
I normally like them to see to her straight away otherwise she gets very stressed standing and watching the other horses being treated.
I did the one thing I told others not to do. I put my hand inside her head collar and with the other hand I was holding the lead rope. The vet managed to give her the tetanus/flu injection and then she started to jump about and rear a little but I managed to keep her under control until the vet tried to give her the Dextomax injection. This is twice the size and the needle is a lot thicker then the tetanus injection.
Kate, the vet did try the neck twitch after the first injection (on the other side of the neck)
The vet managed to get the injection in and then she reared! The vet took the injection out but I still was holding her head collar. She reared so high and twisted, taking me with her.
My hand and fingers bend so far back, I lost all feeling in my hand and part of my arm!
Then she ran and I still down know how my hand came out of the head collar but was very thankful it did or she would of took me with her!
I learnt my very own lesson that day and will never make that mistake again!
Did you know more people are injured whilst standing next to horses then people then falling off the horse. That is a fact!
The size of the horse and the strength out weight us folk and we don't stand a chance if the horse decides they want to take off. Horses can be very unpredictable when the vet, farrier or dentist are with them and care needs to be taken with a lot of horses.
Having a good fitting head collar, with a secure lead rope attached, is appropriate for the majority of examinations. Always stand to the side of the horse and never in front as they kick out in front of them and when rearing can also kick out high in front and catch you in the head!
Care should be taken not to hold onto the head collar, as fingers can easily become trapped and damaged when dealing with difficult horses. Additional control can be obtained by looping the lead rope over the nose and back through the head collar.
A bridle is often useful when dealing with nervous horses and especially when trotting up excitable animals, particularly stallions. A bridle cannot be used when examining teeth.
A Chifney bit (anti rearing bit) attached to a headpiece can also be used with head collar to stop rearing and provide better restraint.
When a horse rears it usually because it feels trapped or cornered. Working with the horse every day for half an hour will help the horse to accept the situation that it is scared off!
Neck Twitch (The vet did this to, Rosie and it did stop her for a minute, but when the injection went in she reared higher then normal) this is applied by grabbing a handful of loose skin on the neck which can be easily tightened or released.
It is usually be performed by the person holding the horse’s head. It will often distract a horse long enough to give an injection, examine a wound or perform an ultrasound examination.
Twitting can and is used to calm the horse. Nose twitches are the most common. A twitch is a loop of cord or chain on the end of a stick is one type. The loop is eased over the top lip and the stick twisted quickly to tighten the loop. A “humane” twitch is a pincer-like device that clamps onto the top lip. But care still needs to be taken when a twitch is being used. Never stand in front of a horse when you put the twitch on or when the horse is twitched. They can still kicked out in front and you can receive a nasty and painful kick! It is always best for someone who knows how to apply the twitch to the horse otherwise you can cause a lot of damage to the horse.
Read all about the twitch here.
This past year, Rosie, started to rear quite a lot when she is being treated and is becoming dangerous. Now the farrier and the dentist insist she is sedated! I found this upsetting but understand at the same time.
I understand why she is rearing and it is fear. I now need to start working straight away with, Rosie and get her in a place where she feels comfortable.
When I have her she is fine and doesn't rear. It is only when the farrier, vet and dentist come to see to her and she starts jumping as soon as she sets her eye on them!
I just have to wait until I have the use of fingers back! Then it is work, work and more work with our beautiful, scared young lady, Rosie!
Always stay safe around horses and wear a riding hat. Leather gloves also will help safe your hand to a certain extent and always stand to the side of the horse.
If you have a horse that rears then use a longer lead rope and always take the pressure off when the horse comes back down!