How to Give Shots to Horses

Work quickly and confidently when giving a horse a shot.

Most of the time, your veterinarian will be responsible for administering injections to your horse, but there may be times when you will have to do it. For example, the horse may require a series of injections over a period of time when the vet is unavailable. If your horse already has been examined and just needs a simple shot, save the cost of a vet visit by learning how to handle the situation yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Syringe
• Medication

Instructions

1. Fill the syringe with the amount and type of medication prescribed by your veterinarian.

2. Expel the air from the syringe before injecting the horse. With the needle pointing up, tap the syringe, then press the plunger in to release the air. The medication should rise to the very top of the syringe.

3. Locate the area where the shot will be injected. In most cases, this will be in the area sometimes referred to as "the triangle." This area is near the base of the horse's neck -- above the shoulder on either side, approximately at the midpoint between the crest of the horse and bottom of its neck.

4. Inject the horse. Hold the syringe so that the needle travels straight into the muscle, not at a slant. Insert the needle into the muscle, then pull back on it slightly. Make sure there is no blood in the syringe, then press the plunger in until all medication has been injected.

5. Pull out the needle quickly.

6. Rub the area of the injection site, and praise the horse.

Tips & Warnings

• Be decisive and quick when giving a horse a shot. It may be painful for the horse if you move too slowly. In addition, if you are nervous and hesitant, the horse may sense it and become skittish.

• Some owners recommend distracting the horse by tapping its neck a few times just before the injection. Others feel it's better to go straight to the injection, because the tapping alerts the horse that something unpleasant is about to happen. Try either method to see which works better for you and your horse.

• If possible, have a friend help you by holding on to the horse's lead to keep it steady.

• If there is blood in the syringe when you pull it back, you have hit a vein instead of muscle. Take out the needle, locate the muscle and try again with a clean needle.

• Make sure you clearly understand why the horse needs the medication, how often the medication should be given, and what types of adverse reactions to be aware of.

References

• Horses with Amie: How to Give a Horse a Shot
• Front Range Frenzy: How to Give Your Horse a Shot in the Neck