Page 1133 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

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Figure 25.12a and b Injecting into the neck (method 2): a) grasp a fold of skin and slide the needle through the skin deep into
the muscle; b) pull the plunger back to check no blood is withdrawn into the syringe and proceed with the injection

When a large volume of antibiotic is injected daily, the horse may begin to feel bruised and

sore. A stiff neck can make a horse feel miserable and prevent him from lowering his head to
graze. If the temperament of the horse permits, an alternative site is in the large gluteal

muscle mass of the hindquarters or the chest. The injection can be given on alternate sides
each time.

Injecting into the gluteals
• Ask an assistant to hold the horse and stand on the same side as you

• stand to one side of the horse, just in front of the quarters

• stroke the horse and talk to him

• proceed with the injection as described for the neck, method 1, but insert the needle into

the centre of the gluteal muscles
• be prepared for the horse to jump or kick out

There are two drawbacks of injecting a horse into the gluteal muscles. The first is the danger

of being kicked by a startled horse. Only attempt this if the temperament of the horse is
suitable and ask someone to hold the horse for you. Secondly, in the rare event of an abscess

forming at the injection site, it is more difficult to achieve good drainage than it is in the neck
or chest.

Injecting into the chest