Equine Restraint Equine Restraint

Chapter #3Chapter #3

Pages 47-65 Pages 47-65

Large Animal Clinical Large Animal Clinical ProceduresProcedures

Physical Restraint of Physical Restraint of Horses Horses

Restraint Restraint is the term used to imply is the term used to imply control of an animal and may be control of an animal and may be necessary for medical reasons and necessary for medical reasons and nonmedical proceduresnonmedical procedures

The two types of animal restraint are The two types of animal restraint are physical restraintphysical restraint and and chemical chemical restraintrestraint

Some times both must be used to Some times both must be used to accomplish a procedure accomplish a procedure

Type of restraint Type of restraint

Physical restraintPhysical restraint refers to refers to methods that are applied to the methods that are applied to the animal with or without use of special animal with or without use of special equipment equipment

Chemical restraintChemical restraint refers to the refers to the use of pharmaceuticals to alter the use of pharmaceuticals to alter the animal’s mental or physical abilities animal’s mental or physical abilities

Know your horseKnow your horse

Good restraint involves understanding Good restraint involves understanding the natural instinct of the horse, being the natural instinct of the horse, being able to read an individual’s able to read an individual’s temperament , and recognize the temperament , and recognize the extent of handling and training that an extent of handling and training that an individual has (or has not) had. individual has (or has not) had.

Each animal is an individual and each Each animal is an individual and each has different background has different background

Make a plan Make a plan

Horses are natural Horses are natural suspicious and suspicious and respond best to a respond best to a calm, deliberated calm, deliberated approach approach

Good horsemen Good horsemen typically maintain typically maintain vocal and physical vocal and physical contact with the contact with the animal they are animal they are handling handling

Horses are traditionally Horses are traditionally handled primarily from handled primarily from their left side (also their left side (also called the called the near sidenear side.) .)

If the horse starts to If the horse starts to move away from you at move away from you at this point, attempt to this point, attempt to stay with the horse by stay with the horse by moving along side and moving along side and hold on to it’s mane. hold on to it’s mane. See where his hand is?See where his hand is?

NeverNever stand directly in front or stand directly in front or directly behind the horse during a directly behind the horse during a procedure, unless protected by a procedure, unless protected by a barrier or mechanical device.barrier or mechanical device.

Horses may also throw their heads Horses may also throw their heads violently , causing injuryviolently , causing injury

Even a normally “good horse” may Even a normally “good horse” may display these responses when in pain display these responses when in pain or fear or fear

Halter and Lead Rope Halter and Lead Rope Basic act of Basic act of

horsemanship is horsemanship is placing a halter placing a halter and lead ropeand lead rope

The horse should The horse should be approached be approached from from the left side the left side

For initial For initial control control place the place the lead rope around lead rope around the neck the neck

Placing the halter Placing the halter

Once the halter is Once the halter is positioned and the positioned and the buckles/snaps buckles/snaps secured, the lead secured, the lead rope is attached rope is attached

Alternate Alternate attachment of lead attachment of lead rope to halter rope to halter

Leading the horse using the Leading the horse using the halter and lead rope. halter and lead rope.

Your elbow..Your elbow..

Fingers should not be placed Fingers should not be placed through the buckles or snaps of through the buckles or snaps of

the halterthe halter

Don’t….Don’t…. Improper coiling of Improper coiling of

lead rope around the lead rope around the arm. arm.

Improper coiling of Improper coiling of lead rope around lead rope around the hand.the hand.

Chain shankChain shank

When a simple lead When a simple lead rope does not provide rope does not provide enough control, the enough control, the chain portion or a chain portion or a chain shank can be chain shank can be placed over the nose placed over the nose or in the mouth for or in the mouth for increasing restraint increasing restraint

Placing the chain Placing the chain over the nose is a over the nose is a mild restraint mild restraint

Chain shankChain shank

Chain shank Chain shank attached to right attached to right upper ring upper ring

Chain shank Chain shank attached between attached between the mandibles the mandibles

Chain shanksChain shanks The chain should cross the The chain should cross the

nosepiece to provide some nosepiece to provide some protection for the horse. protection for the horse.

Placement of chain shank Placement of chain shank

under the chin.under the chin.

Placement of the chain shank Placement of the chain shank through the mouththrough the mouth

Placing the lip shank.Placing the lip shank. A,A, Holding the chain for placement of the lip Holding the chain for placement of the lip

shank.shank. B, B, Slack is given to the chain. Slack is given to the chain. C, C, Elevating Elevating the upper lip to position the chain.the upper lip to position the chain. D, D, Elevating the Elevating the

upper lip to position the chainupper lip to position the chain

Proper position of the chain Proper position of the chain against the upper gum. Note that against the upper gum. Note that

the chain lays flat against the the chain lays flat against the

gums.gums.

Never place your hand on Never place your hand on the chain shank for the chain shank for

restraining restraining