Is sedation used in foal restraint?

  • Where a foal is not accustomed to human contact and a procedure that is likely to take more than a few minutes has to be carried out, the treating veterinary surgeon may decide to use sedation, for example applying corrective “stick on” shoes.
  • Mild sedation can prevent a foal from becoming stressed or injured.
  • It will help to avoid the likely struggle and stress that the foal encounters from the restraint, as well as the long-term effects of a negative early human contact episode.
  • Sedation can in some circumstances make the foal’s first experiences with people much easier and it will be more willing to accept a human’s touch in the future.

    • How should the handling process of a very young foal be commenced?