I'm probably way behind - just don't mess with tough ones these days, but did my first equines under the gel yesterday (weather had forced me to a Sunday work day) Three burros that are difficult, but small enough to manage. I showed up and they were tied to the fence. The owner said she'd gotten some kind of gel from the vet and she hoped they were sedate dated. Absolutely perfect to work on. It's good stuff.
I agree Jack. I have one that's normally a pain for me and a nightmare for the dentist. The owner gave her some Dormosedan for the dentist's visit and suggested I came and shod her at the same time since she was overdue anyway. As you say, perfect to work on - nice and sleepy, but not too dopey to pick her feet up.
Gents I have deleted a couple of posts, they were light hearted but probably a bit over the top with me being guilty as well...
I once owned a rescue mare that was ok on the front feet but wouldn't allow me to nail a shoe on the back feet. I used dormosedan and she was fine. The more i shod her the less gel I used until finally i didn't have to use any. It can be a great training tool.
i got a difficult horse ,so we gave him a dormosedan injection, 2.5ml i think. the horse got a tiny bit to much. an he fell over as i was driving nails. i nearly end up under him. but its good stuff yeah.
When working on a tranqued horse, who generally applies the sedative if not a vet.......owner or farrier? Thanks Ray
I hand the tube to the owner after giving them a pair of rubber gloves and telling them not to get it on themselves; then telling them how to administer it to the horse. Then I admonish them to not feed the horse for three hours, although two hours would probably be sufficient.
I don't carry it and I don't administer it. Biggest drawback to the gel is that it takes a while to take effect and if you get any of it on you, it can kill you, So, when its administered orally, be sure to not let the horse drool on you when you're clinching up or doing anything that puts you in a position where the horse can lick you or drool on you. Remember, when you're lying there on the ground, the biggest decision the owner makes is "hmmm, who should I call first, the EMTs or a new farrier?" Wanna bet who usually is going to get the first call.........
