For some people, using sedatives is a routine part of horse management, but others contend that they are used too often, and not necessary in most cases. Get advice from experts to help inform your decisions.

Sedation for Horses

Norah Perkins’ mare, Arden, hates veterinarians. “She can spot a vet a mile away,” she said. “So, we usually sedate her even for routine vaccinations – for the protection of the vet, really, who naturally doesn’t want to be kicked or bitten.”

Arden’s hatred of vets may be exceptional, but for many horse owners, sedatives and calming agents are an important tool for managing their horses in difficult situations when the horse might otherwise become a danger to others – or to himself. These medications are often used in horses to deal with situations where the horse might become anxious or aggressive: trailering, using clippers, or having teeth floated, for example.

Dr. Trish Dowling, of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, explained that there are two main categories of drugs used for this purpose in horses: the alpha-2 adrenergic agonists, which are prescription medications that are given by injection (xylazine, detomidine, romefidine) and must be obtained from a veterinarian; and the phenothiazines (usually acepromazine), which can be given by injection or in granules added to feed and do not require a prescription.

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The alpha-2 adregenic agonists (A2As) work more quickly, taking effect within five minutes, so tend to be preferred by vets. They wear off within 30 to 60 minutes. A2As are often recommended for procedures that might cause the horse pain, because they have an analgesic effect, and are often used in horses with colic.