[Cindy's Warmbloods]

I have given lots of needles in the neck and chest and for the most part have given them slowly as the needles are not that big. However, I have a new weanling that came to me sick and cut up. She is on Excede due to her terrible condition and the vet gave her a shot in her hindend (when she was sedated) 2 days ago and she gave it fairly slowly. I need to give the second shot in the other side of her hind in another couple of days. My question is it is a fairly large needle (guessing 18 gauge?) so should I just stab it in as quick as I can, let her react and then put the syringe on or should I go slower? What seems to work best for everyone for the larger needles to minimize reaction? She has had VERY limited handling when I got her but is now fine to halter (in the stall) and brush. Just not a huge amount of trust yet so I know she is going to react quite a bit with the needle. So which way do you think would be the best method, stab quickly and get it over with or go a bit slower?

[Petstorejunkie]

For IM injections I always flick and prick.
Flick the injection site repeatedly until the horse settles and started to ignore, then prick with the needle quickly.
For needle phobic, I do flicking with no prick while they get treats. Do this for several sessions, then one day flick and prick while someone else gives treats.

[jetsmom]

Stabbing slowly is more painful.

[AliCat518]

Always quickly.

[shakeytails]

Fast is good. When I became a nurse, giving shots was easy-my patients may complain about the stuff in the syringe burning, but more often than not they say "that didn't even hurt".

[deltawave]

I guess I'd say "reasonably quickly" because I don't like to harpoon a horse with more force than necessary, and sometimes if a horse is really tense putting the needle in very fast means you use more force than you really need to.

It's sort of just a "feel" thing. And in the grand scheme of things, not likely to make a huge difference one way or the other.

[Ghazzu]

Reasonably quickly, but with a Zen-like approach.
Visualize the needle going smoothly into the horse.
Don't "stab" the horse.
You're not trying to harpoon Moby Dick.

[Cindy's Warmbloods]

Thanks everyone, I was leaning towards fairly quick as well. I don't think she is going to like it either way, lol. I wish I could give her a treat but she won't touch grain yet so I can't even do that. With my others I usually give a piece of carrot, give the needle while they are chewing and then another piece of carrot when I am done and they really don't bat an eye. So fingers crossed it goes well and I don't get booted, lol.

[Foxtrot's]

My vet does not stab, just a smooth, fairly swift, continuous movement without any pinching, thumping, and I find it works for me too.

[dangerbunny]

I was taught to do it smoothly, not a fast, jabbing motion but not slow either.

[joiedevie99]

I always put needles in fairly fast- but try not to be quick when pushing the meds in.

[hunterrider23]

You're not trying to harpoon Moby Dick.

[fivehorses]

Many moons ago, as a kid, I was taught by the vet how to administer IM.

He taught me to make a fist, and hold the needle in between my thumb and first finger as I did a 1-2-3 fist on the horse, on the 4th fist, to change direction so the needle goes in with the same motion and timing as the 1-2-3 fist.
I don't do 1-2-3 anymore, and now give it in the neck mostly(back then he wanted me to give it in the butt area).

So, I guess I'd add that I do it swiftly but not with force...enough to penetrate but not stab if that makes sense.

[Sansena]

Give the needle as you would prefer to receive an injection. Dont' stab, don't dawdle. Be compassionate and think about how YOU'd like to get an 18g needle put deep in your muscle.

[Sansena]

Ah, and... can you get someone else to give a pinch a moment before injection? So as to distract her a bit? Stick a finger in her ear, neck twitch, finger up muzzle?

Again, kid will scream when doctor steps on his toe and barely notice the needle.