Download Doping for Clipping 1) Mild Sedation 2) More Serious Sedation,

Doping for Clipping
In winter time, horses seem to grow far more hair than is compatible with work, and clipping becomes essential if they are
to perform at their best. Perhaps your horse is a paragon and stands like a statue while a short back and sides is administered
in which case read no further. But perhaps a little chemical assistance is required, in which case please read on.
1) Mild Sedation
Sedalin Gel
The active ingredient of this product is acetyl promazine (ACP). This is a
relatively mild sedative but may be enough to allow you to clip. It has the
major advantage that it can be administered orally and is relatively inexpensive, but there are a number of points that should be borne in mind.
The drug does not take maximal effect until 45 minutes to an hour
after administration, so plan ahead.
It is a relatively "mild” sedative which in high doses has quite profound side effects on the circulatory system without much increase
in the degree of sedation. Do not give more than the recommended
dose. Increasing the dose beyond this point won't increase the sedation much but may dangerously reduce the blood pressure.
It is well recorded that ACP can cause prolapse of the penis particularly in entire males. Don't use the drug in valuable breeding animals.
The effects of ACP can be quite prolonged; up to at least eight hours.
One of these effects is a subtle loss of co-ordination. Think carefully
about this before riding any horse to which the drug has been administered.
The horse may appear deeply asleep, but a sudden noise can cause it
to wake up with remarkable speed, kick out or otherwise retaliate,
before falling back into its comatose state. Do take care.
2) More Serious Sedation,
Sedivet, Domosedan & Dolorex
Rex awaiting clipping
These drugs are administered intravenously by a veterinary surgeon and usually give rise to a rapid, quite profound sedation
in all but the most difficult horses.
Horses will often appear incoordinate or wobbly under the effect of these drugs but scarcely ever fall over unless support is
suddenly removed. Don't try and hold them up; people often try to do so, but when the weight of the horse becomes too
Avonvale Veterinary Practice Ltd
01295 670501
[email protected]
ARH 2012
much for them they let go suddenly, which can result in an accident. Many horses will however appreciate a wall to rest
their heads against, and often feel happiest with their heads in a corner
With difficult horses or horses whose behaviour you
are not familiar with, be aware that although they may
look "away with the fairies" their ability to kick and
bite accurately is not removed. Don't drop your
guard, and be aware they often give no warning
signs before reacting.
Many of the horses given this class of drug will sweat
quite profusely as a side effect as the drugs wear off.
Make sure they have somewhere relatively draught
free to stand during and after clipping.
More recently Domosedan has been marketed as an
orally administered gel which can be prescribed by
veterinary surgeons to be administered by owners of
horses themselves. The degree of sedation achieved
seems to be about midway between the intravenous
Rex is totally relaxed.
sedatives and Sedalin described above. Domosedan is a potent drug and the instructions for use should be followed carefully. In particular wear gloves and avoid ingesting it yourself. Avoid contact with Domosedan if you are or maybe pregnant.
The drug must be given under the tongue, and absorbed through the mucous membranes. If the horse swallows it as it would
a wormer, it will have little sedative effect.
Full sedation is not achieved for about half an hour after administration during which time the horse needs to be kept somewhere quiet to avoid stimulation which will “wake it up” These drugs are relatively short acting. Make sure that you AND
your equipment are ready to start as soon as the required degree of sedation has been achieved.
Horses under sedation will often pick up food and fail to swallow it properly thus giving themselves "choke", so remove all
feed, hay nets and edible bedding until they are well awake, normally about 1 - 1½ hours after injection. Hard feeds should
not be fed for half a day after this type of sedation
As with any other drug horses will vary in their response to sedation. For injectable sedatives, help us to help you by letting
reception know which horse we are coming to sedate when booking the call. This way we can check the last dose rate used.
Alternatively, keep a note of the dose with the horse.
In Conclusion
Sedalin Gel can be given orally for mild sedation.
Domesedan Gel can be given orally for deeper sedation.
These are all POM’s, so all need vet approval
IV sedatives need to be given by a veterinary
surgeon. For horses that have been clipped
before, it is helpful to keep a note of the dose
used previously or let us know so that we can
check our records.
Sedalin Gel and Domosedan Gel can be collected from the surgery at Ratley. Please give
24 hours notice so that we can get it ready for
you, and clear its provision with one of the
veterinary surgeons. Please note: we do not
put these items in the post.
A good job done!
Avonvale Veterinary Practice Ltd
01295 670501
[email protected]
ARH 2012