2
Physical Restraint of the Horse for Clinical Procedures

Mustajab H. Mirza and Lais R.R. Costa

2.1 Purpose

• To allow completion of tasks safely with no injury to the patient, the person performing the examination or procedure, or the handler. Some guidelines for approaching a horse are as follows:
  • - Approach the horse cautiously but with confidence. Horses can sense nervousness and become more difficult to handle.
  • - Approach the horse by its left side (also called the near side) as this is the side most horses are used to being approached from, although most horses are workable from both sides.
  • - Never position yourself in front of the horse because you are likely to be struck by the front feet or the head. Instead, position yourself beside and close to the horse's shoulder.
  • - Stay close to the horse, letting the horse know what you intend to do. Make sure you never stand directly behind the horse. If you have to work around the horse's hind limbs, position yourself next to the flank and thigh, and stay close to the horse, so if the horse kicks you will not receive the full impact of the kick.
  • - Effective restraint often requires a person familiar with horse handling and a combination of equipment such as halter, lead rope, twitch, chain, and rope.
  • - The methods of physical restraint discussed in this chapter include halter placement, tying the horse, neck roll, ear hold, lip chain, lip rope, modified lip rope, nose or lip twitch, lifting and holding the front foot, lifting and holding the hind foot, lifting a front leg to prevent the horse from kicking, and restraining the horse in stocks.

2.2 Complications

• Injury to the patient, the person performing the examination/procedure, or the handler.
• Failure to complete the task (e.g., examination or procedure).
• Damage to the patient from restraint.
• Escape of patient to a dangerous situation.

2.3 Procedure: Halter Placement

Purpose: To restrain, lead and control the horse's movement.

Equipment: Halter (Figure 2.1a) and lead rope (Figure 2.1b).

Figure 2.1 Parts of a halter. (a) The parts of the halter (halter with jaw snap). (b) Lead rope and lead shank.

Figure 2.2 Approach the horse by the left side, by positioning yourself beside and close to the horse's left neck /shoulder.

Figure 2.3 The horse can be secured with the lead rope around the neck.

Figure 2.4 The halter might be placed while holding the rope around the horse's neck. For halters with a jaw snap, (a) place the noseband on the horse's muzzle, moving the crownpiece towards the poll, (b) place the crownpiece behind the ears, and (c) clip the jaw snap.

Figure 2.5 Cooperative horses allow the handler to slide the halter over the nose without placement of the rope around the neck. (a) Slide the halter over the nose. (b) Place the crownpiece behind the ears. (c) Secure the halter by buckling it.

2.4 Procedure: Tying the Lead Rope

Purpose: To restrain and control the horse's movement.

• Before tying a horse's lead rope to a post or ring, or placing the horse on cross-ties, ensure that the horse is familiar with this procedure.
• Some horses will not accept being tied and will pull backwards until they are released.
• Most horses are tolerant to cross-ties.

Equipment: Halter and lead rope, or cross-ties.

Figure 2.6 When tying a haltered horse, use a quick-release knot. (a) Wrap the rope around itself, making a loop. (b) Insert the rope through the loop. (c) Pull through the loop.

Figure 2.7 Release a quick-release knot by pulling the free end of the rope, (a) to (c).

Figure 2.8 The use of cross-ties will effectively restrict the horse's movements.

2.5 Procedure: Neck Roll or Neck Skin Twitch

Purpose: To divert the attention of the patient from an examination or non-painful procedure for a short period of time.

Equipment: None.

Figure 2.9 Applying a neck roll. (a) Stand by the horse's chest and slide your hands over the horse's shoulder. (b) Grasp the loose skin in front of shoulder at the base of the neck. (c) Apply a rolling motion to pull the skin taut. (d) Apply a neck roll with one hand. (e) Apply a neck roll with two hands.

2.6 Procedure: Ear Hold

Purpose: To provide short-term restraint.

• Used commonly in animals of small stature, such as ponies, miniature horses and foals, or used in conjunction with a nose twitch. Warning: Applying a twitch to the ear can result in permanent damage and is not recommended.

Equipment: None.

Figure 2.10...