Also, using positive reinforcement to address needle sensitivity
Bragi has been with me for about 18 months now. Last November was his first wellness check and vaccines. Frankly I had no idea how it was going to go and to be honest, it didn’t go that well. We found out that Bragi is needle sensitive, which I learned is not that uncommon for horses.
My vet is very patient, kind, did her best, and told me how to best prepare him for his wellness check. Her suggestion was to use positive reinforcement training to help him overcome needle sensitivity. This approach seemed most fair to Bragi, because it would be fun for him, and also most fair to the vet who needs to stay safe and care for her patients.
Because I’m not a horse trainer, I enlisted my coach Meghan Valenti. In two sessions we worked on a “pinch (the neck), poke (with an empty syringe), click (bridge signal to the horse that he did the right thing)” game. The click noise I make with my tongue when he stood still and calm signals that he’s going to get a cookie in short order. Cookies are his favorite!
During each session, Meghan spent the hour teaching me how to play the pinch/poke/click/cookie game. She also taught me how to explore his nostrils gently so that he would be prepared for nasal spray vaccines. On subsequent days, Bragi and I would practice for maybe 5 minutes — most of the time a lot less as he tolerated my poking and exploring, loved the cookies!
Today was Bragi’s real test as it was time for the appointment. I showed the pinch/poke/click/cookie game to Dr. V and she suggested that I stand by her while she administered the actual needle so I could reward and cookie. He flinched a little on the left side but made me very proud.
We set up for the same procedure on the right side but he was a bit more reactive; still wanted cookies though and earned them by allowing Dr. V to finish the vaccine.
I’m really proud of him and will continue to practice so that he’s a good, responsible patient for his veterinarian. It’s only fair to him and to his doc to practice and it’s quite easy.
Here’s an article that explains the process for both intramuscular (IM) and intravenous (IV) procedures: https://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/blog/how-to-help-a-needle-shy-horse-overcome-their-fear
Here’s a photo of Odin getting his teeth floated, just because he’s so dang handsome!
Teeth floated? What’s that?
What a brave horse Bragi was! Good boy!
What kind of cookies? Guessing it’s a horse treat of some kind.
Teeth floating is a standard dental procedure where the sharp points are filed down — usually annually. It’s necessary because of the way the top teeth fit over the bottom teeth plus the grinding motion the jaw makes as they eat hay.
I give my horses senior horse treats as they are made to dissolve fairly quickly so I can reward even if Odin has a bit in his mouth.
Yes, I feed treats made for senior horses because they’re supposed to dissolve quickly (in case the horse has a bit in its mouth).
The needle sensitivity work is a lot like preparing children for a needle poke; exactly, in fact. Tiny pinch on the skin, for a vaccine duration, then a lollipop.