Giving Oral Meds to a Horse

Administering Oral Medications to a Difficult Horse

Jun 22, 2008 Elizabeth Skoglund

Administering oral medication is a frequent and necessary part of owning a horse. Knowing how give oral medications such as dewormer or bute without a fuss is essential.

How to Pill a Horse:

Schedule an appointment with chiropractor for later that day
Gather all nessesary supplies including plenty of ice and ibuprofen for later
Set cell phone pre-dialed to 911 just outside the stall door

Many horse owners can relate easily to the above statement. Engaging in a battle of wills with a 1200 lb animal can be both frustrating and dangeous for everyone involved. But horses can be taught to safely and quietly accept oral medications.

It is important to allow plenty of time to teach the horse to take oral medications. This method will not be accomplished in an hour and every horse progresses at a different rate. Many short training sessions are better then two or three long sessions, and it is important to step away and come back later if anyone involved is getting frustrated, uncomfortable, or angry. It is also important not to advance to the next step until the horse easily and completely accepts the previous.

Gently rub the horse's nose and mouth with your fingers, taking care not to be accidentally bit. When he is comfortable and relaxed with this, (watch for a lowered head, drooping eyes and ears, and possibly a cocked hind foot) begin to rub the outside of his lips at the corners of his mouth where the syringe will go.
Stick your finger or thumb in the corners of his mouth where the bit rests. If he will not accept this, he will not allow a syringe of medication to be placed there either.
Take an old syringe or worming tube and rinse it out really well, making sure there is no residue for the horse to taste.
Rub the syringe over the horse's nose and mouth, paying special attention to his lips and the corners. When he accepts this without a fuss, dip the end of the tube in carrot baby food or applesauce and insert it gently a very short way into his mouth. Repeat this step many times and for several days until he eagerly awaits the syringe.
(Optional) fill the tube with baby food or applesauce and administer like any other oral medication.
Administer oral medication, praising the horse for accepting it.
In between oral medications, repeat steps 4 and 5 everytime the horse is handled. This way he will see the medication as the occasional bad bite of grass.

Other tips:

Praise and use a lot of positive reinforcement for good behavior or any tries on the horse's part. Don't make a big deal out of bad behavior, quickly correct and then move on. If the horse is very resistant, or afraid of one step, go back to the previous. It may be necesary to review all the previous steps briefly with each training session. Don't put yourself in danger, seek qualified help if nessesary.

The copyright of the article Giving Oral Meds to a Horse in Horses is owned by Elizabeth Skoglund. Permission to republish Giving Oral Meds to a Horse in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Giving oral meds to a difficult horse