Xylazine

Use:: Xylazine is a frequently used sedative/premedicant by veterinarians. It is administered via IV injection and starts to take action in 2 minutes, with peak effect in 5 minutes. Horses will drop their heads almost to the ground, and may become ataxic but will remain standing. The sedative effect lasts about 30 minutes.

Typical Dosage: 0.075 mg/kg, IV slowly

Note: Horses given xylazine are very sensitive when touched on their hindlimbs, and can still accurately kick out.

Warning: When horses are administered this drug, the depressed intestinal motility will last longer than the sedative effects of the drug, and thus horses should not be feed until intestinal motility returns to reduce risk of colic.