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Needle-Shy Horse?
A common case I see is the needle-shy horse. Needle-shy horses won't stand still, they pull away, run over or drag the handler, panic, rear, kick, bite, or strike, or otherwise try to escape when anyone attempts to give them an injection. Needle-shy or needle-phobic are terms used to describe horses that have a strong fear, or phobia, of receiving injections.
Why Does My Needle-Shy Horse Behave This Way?
It's critical to understand that these horses behave this way because they are usually severely frightened of some or all aspects of the injection procedure. Needle-shy horses can develop these intense fears after as little as one bad experience while being injected. Unless addressed, needle-shy horses don't tend to get better on their own. The problem often becomes worse over time.
What Problems Do Needle-Shy Horse's Face?
Horses that are needle-shy or needle-phobic are not only difficult or dangerous to handle, but the issue may stop them from receiving critical health care in an emergency. This problem also presents challenges when owners wish to get routine blood tests, such as a Coggins, when it is time to show or sell the horse.
Help For A Needle-Shy Horse
The good news is that no matter where you are in the world, help for needle-shy horses is available. Through her Horse Behaviour Help Hotline, Lauren can teach you how to help your horse tolerate having intra-muscular or jugular injections again, without fear.
Here is a video of one of my recent needle-shy clients showing how far they had come after a short period of training. The week after this video, the horse received a jugular injection from their veterinarian, without issue.​