Hi, I'm asking for a friend who's pony is having the blood drawn tomorrow a.m. so a quick reply would be appreciated.
Her pony is terrible with needles so usually the vet manages to get a quick injection into the rump before doing any examinations or boosters etc.
Is the sedative going to affect the results?
Chris/Matty UK 07/09

1) Plan on doing this pony before anyone else so it doesn't see others getting their shots. Cookies that the pony loves can be a distraction also. Have the pony in a stall up against the wall and ready before the vet comes in sight. Need a good horse handler who can distract as blood is drawn.




Have you tried the blindfold under the halter and hold up a front or hind leg with a cotton rope?

Blood can be drawn with one stick in the neck with vacuum tubes or a large syringe to put blood after drawing into vacuum tubes. Vets do not like to get hurt and would rather not treat hard handlers.

Have you tried to draw the blood yourself? The jugular vein on the neck is pretty easy to get on a quiet horse. best place to draw from is about a hand's width from the point of the shoulder height on the neck in the groove so you are lower on the ground beside the pony. Play with the pony about finding and holding the jugular vein and rewarding good behavior now in preparation for the vet's visit. Good vets can get it in one stick. You can too if you practice on a quiet horse.

I do not know about the sedation first affecting results. I would think that it could affect it but so can dealing with an excited hyper pony. Try to deal without first if possible using recommended techniques. Hope the pony loves a cookie and lots of rubbing and cooing.

Angie B. in NMS
Luna, Cricket, Holly
September 2008

Thanks, but this is a friend's pony so don't know the answers to your question and cannot practice before as the vet came this morning here in the UK, we're around 5 hours ahead of you so I missed your post due to me being asleep by then;)
Friend is a very experienced horse woman and apparently the pony was a stallion until in his teens so is a special case when it comes to handling.
Thanks anyway, I'll pass on your advice.
Chris/Matty UK 07/09