Deworming a horse is a relatively simple and quick process for some. However, others find that it can take hours to even get near their horse with a filled syringe. 9/10 you are not doing it wrong, you just have an extremely sensitive horse. My goal is to help make your deworming process a bit smoother so that neither of you ends up as frustrated as last time.
First things first though for those of you who don’t know, deworming your horse is a parasite preventative. Most dewormers are a paste that comes in a tube with a push syringe that you simply enter into the corner of their mouth and administer the product on the back of the tongue (so they don’t spit it out). Unfortunately, some horses are a bit more resistant to this either because they don’t like to taste or they are head shy. If this is the case for you, let’s explore some ideas to help smooth out this process.
Advance and retreat.
This technique will help with desensitizing your horse to the dewormer. Slowly advance toward your horse while holding the tube of dewormer. The moment your horse tenses, stop but keep holding the dewormer and keep your body posture strong. Wait there until your horse lowers his head or exhales to show his relaxation, remove the dewormer by turning your back and walking away. Then repeat. If your timing is good, you’ll be able to approach your horse each time. Like everything else with horses, repetition is key.
Desensitize the air space.
Once you are able to approach your relaxed horse with the dewormer you should desensitize the air space around its head. To do this stand on your horse’s left side so you are out of their way if they decide to toss their head. Slowly move the dewormer all around their head and mouth. They may become antsy because they suspect that you will be deworming them, but you won’t be just yet. Once they relax, you can then remove the tube from your hands and give them lots of love and pats. Keep repeating this until they stand still and relaxed for the entire duration.
Use molasses or honey to coat the syringe.
If you and your horse have a phenomenal relationship together, but they still challenge you when you approach them with the wormer, maybe they just simply don’t like the taste of it. Can you blame them?? I know some wormers smell like apples, but I’m almost positive they taste nothing like apples! Try adding a honey bear to your barn and drizzle some of that tastiness all over the syringe so they can smell it and then begin to associate the process with something sweet!
If you’d like, you can even give them a little syringe of honey or molasses for two or three days after you deworm them so they really come to accept the tastiness of the experience!
You may need to utilize all of these tips or one may do the trick to deworm a sensitive horse! Feel free to reach out to me on my personal Insta at @unbridledmama if there’s something you feel would help others to deworm their horse!
