How to Give Horses Liquid Medications

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Purchase a large dosing syringe from your Vet or the Feed Store

   Or if they already come in liquid form, open the bottle. ,, If using a syringe or prefilled wormer express a drop or two of medication even if you lose a bit as it is often hard to depress the plunger if the plunger is all the way out , Be sure to have an able assistant close by.
   
   Some horses don't like their head tied during this process, and will strain against the ties when they realize you are going to do something unpleasant so you can always try foregoing the cross ties and putting the lead rope over your shoulder instead , The idea is for you to be higher than the horse if at all possible. , . .talk to the horse in a quiet and friendly manner, and move in a "matter of fact" way as you normally would; if you are anxious or go "flying at them" they will start to resist ,, Gently massaging their throat can aid this process. ,,, as it may result in panic and a snapped lead line and/or injury ,
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   Step 2: or a turkey baster from the grocery store.

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   Step 3: Mix the desired quantity of medicine or herbs in a pint or quart jar; use plastic if possible to avoid broken glass.

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   Step 4: If the syringe or baster will hold the entire amount of liquid

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   Step 5: then fill it before getting around the horse.

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   Step 6: If the quantity of liquid medication or herbs to be given is more than the applicator will handle

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   Step 7: then fill the baster or syringe and keep the jar with the rest close by.

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   Step 8: If the horse is particularly stubborn and you have cross ties in your barn

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   Step 9: use these.

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    Step 10: If the horse is cooperative

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    Step 11: stand on a 55 gallon (208.2 L) drum

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    Step 12: or a mounting stairs.

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    Step 13: Work quickly: don't give the horse time to process what is about to happen.

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    Step 14: Gently open the horse's mouth and squirt the liquid in the side of the mouth aiming for the back; the best way to do this is to insert your thumb into the crook of the mouth on the side closest to you and pull the cheek out from the gums; if you approach from the side it will be less threatening to the horse; you are really trying to get the medication into the cheek pocket at the back; it may help to elevate the head with one hand; normally they will begin to elevate their head once they realize you are squirting something so you can just try to keep it there.

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    Step 15: Squirt the liquid slowly and steadily so the horse has a chance to swallow.

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    Step 16: Don't let their head down right away as they may spit it out; have a small treat handy for afterward so they realize they get something good out of it; this helps a lot when you have to do this every day such as in the case of a 7-10 day course of antibiotics

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    Step 17: If the horse is really resisting

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    Step 18: you can try a "nose chain" aka feed the chain on the lead rope through one side of their halter and twist in around the nose band and out the other side of the halter so the chain is over their nose; apply a bit of pressure when they resist to encourage head dropping but take care as this can hurt

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    Step 19: Don't tie their heads to any fixed object (one ring tie

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    Step 20: post etc.)

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    Step 21: If all else fails you can buy some soft treat mixes

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    Step 22: or give a small amount of sweet feed with the medication mixed into it

Detailed Guide

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