Posted by Meg Oliver on September 01, 2003 at 23:21:41:
In Reply to: Use of Ace??? posted by Lynn Dague on June 30, 2003 at 22:58:36:
: I'm new to this board, as well as new to being a farrier(ess)! so please bear with me. I recently started working primarily on call in an equine clinic in Southern California -- primarily rather flighty performance horses with special needs. Most of the time, they're pretty well behaved (as are the owners) but there are several times I have feared for my life....I guess that't pretty typical when you're bent over in front a stallion fresh off the track :) The vets I work with have supplied me with acepromezine AND I have taken the appropriate classes to give IV, IM and SubQ injections -- they see no reason to attempt to force a horse into compliance and truthfully I CAN'T force them. I'm fairly small and they're fairly large. So we sedate them a little and everybody is happy. In addition, I ONLY use the ace on animals pre-approved by the vets and I ALWAYS make one last call prior to the injection to confirm dosage, etc.
: Here's my question -- a few weeks ago I was at a client's stable. They are regular clients at the clinic and have decided to use me more regularly. With one horse I suggested the use of ace, and was promptly fired. They claimed no "respectable, responsible" farrier would dope a horse and threated to call the humane authorities, my employers, etc.... total smear campain which I can't really fathom as necessary.
: AM I WRONG???? If so, I will glady hand over my syringe!
: Feel free to lash into me, I need the input desperately!
: Thanks
: Lynn Dague
Lynn,
First, in my experience, Ace Promezone is just about as useful as saline solution at calming a horse for shoeing. And I NEVER under any circumstances would drug a horse for shoeing. Get em trained or have the vet there to do the drugging. Stick to your expertise. BTW, a coctail of Dormosedan and Torgogesic (sp) works much better at playing footsie w/an unruly horse if the attending vet takes requests. Also, since you're new among our ranks welcome. And you might want to check our our association for female farriers....www.sisterhoodofshoers.com.
Meg Oliver