Equine Sedation: A Guide For Horse Owners

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226 – September/October, 2025

By Jeff Hall, DVM

Managing Equine Technical Services Veterinarian, Zoetis

It’s not uncommon for horse owners to feel anxious about the use of sedatives in their pets, but the truth is that sedatives are commonly used, safe, and often easy to administer. In many cases, they aren’t just helpful—they’re essential. Horses are powerful animals, and their size and fight-or-flight instincts can make for dangerous situations for themselves and those around them. There are also parts of a horse that aren’t physically visible or accessible to a veterinarian–such as their teeth–unless the horse is sedated and relaxed.

When used appropriately, sedatives increase a horse’s comfort in stressful situations, ensuring your safety and that of the veterinarians and handlers working with them.

Here are some important things to know about sedation, including types of sedatives, methods of administration, and common use cases.

Types of equine sedation

A great way to break down different types of sedation is by their method of administration. The three primary categories are:

1. Oral sedation
2. Standing injectable sedation (IM and IV)
3. General anesthesia

Oral route of administration

Click here to read the complete article
226 – September/October, 2025