How Do I Administer Equine Vaccines?

Learning to give a horse an intramuscular injection yourself can save time and money, especially in cases when a horse requires multiple injections for medical reasons. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the medication you're using and its proper administration. Some medications are administered intravenously, and others are administered intramuscularly. This article will serve as a guide for giving intramuscular injections.

Things You'll Need

  • Halter
  • Assistant handler
  • Medication
  • Needle
  • Syringe
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the proper dosage of the medication. Consult your veterinarian if you have any questions about the dosage or handling of the medication.

    • 2

      Secure the horse. Some horses stand quietly for injections when tied, while others don't. If there is any doubt as to how a horse will react, enlist the help of a handler.

    • 3

      Identify the injection site on the horse. Intramuscular injections are typically most easily administered in the base of the neck. Locate the site by placing your hand, palm down so that the base of your hand is against your horse's shoulder, just where it joins the horse's neck. Your fingers will be pointing toward the horse's head, and your hand should be about halfway between the bottom of the horse's neck and the crest of the neck. The triangular area of muscle that is covered by your hand when in this position is the injection site.

    • 4

      Attach the needle to the syringe. Position the plunger so that the correct amount of medication will be released. Remove the cap from the needle if necessary.

    • 5

      Push the needle straight down into the skin until the point at which the needle attaches to the syringe is touching the skin. The syringe will be perpendicular to the horse's skin. Do not tilt it from side to side. The faster you can insert the needle, the less painful it will be for the horse.

    • 6

      Pull back on the plunger slightly to determine if you have hit a vein. If doing so pulls blood up into the syringe, then remove the needle and move over about an inch, repeating the process. If no blood is drawn into the syringe, then you have not hit a vein and are in a safe place to administer the shot.

    • 7

      Depress the plunger steadily until the correct amount of medication has been administered.

    • 8

      Withdraw the syringe and needle from the horse. Place the cap back over the needle and dispose of the syringe properly.

    • 9

      Watch the horse for any adverse reactions. Reactions generally take place within the first 30 minutes after a medication is injected. Such signs can include swelling, difficulty breathing, depression, agitation and the outbreak of hives.