Page 164 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

148 Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

standing on the same side. If not, then the vet could be
seriously injured.
Horses respond well to distraction techniques. Treats
or grain are almost always welcomed. Patting them and
talking to them works to keep their attention on you,
cupping an eye with your palm, or rolling up loose skin
on their necks and wiggling it works as well. Another
method is to use a small diameter nylon rope with a clip
on one end. The clip is attached to one side of the halter
ring and the end is run through the opposite ring over
the nose. The rope is then placed under the horse’s lip
and gently tightened to make them really pay attention
to that thing under their lip. It should not be jerked as
this can cause pain and make them jump away. The use
of twitches may still be used in some practices but with
the advent of good and safe sedatives they do not need to
be used.
Stocks are a great device to use for procedures on
horses (Figure 8.63). It is designed with two gates bet-
ween four stout posts, connected by horizontal rails. The
horse is led towards the gate and sent in as the handler
walks on the outside of the stock. Just before the horse
moves through the other end the gates are closed. The
horse can be cross‐tied to the end posts by attaching
another lead rope to the halter.
Picking up feet on horses can be a bit dangerous and
it takes strength and a sound back. The horse should be
tied to a vertical post or have someone hold the horse
FIGURE 8.62 Proper positions while working on a horse. and apply distraction techniques. To pick up the front

FIGURE 8.63 Horse in stocks for dental work.