Clinical Evaluation of Xylazine as a Chemical Restraining Agent, Sedative, and Analgesic in Horses

SUMMARY Xylazine was administered intravenously (i.v.) to 223 horses requiring restraint, sedation, or analgesia prior to a variety of clinical procedures. Sedation and analgesia were good to excellent in 88 and 81% of the horses, respectively, without adverse effects from single or repeated doses. Maximal sedation occurred in about 3 minutes and lasted 30 to 40 minutes. Optimal dosage was 1.1 mg./kg. of body weight. It was concluded that xylazine is a clinically useful restraining agent for horses because of its consistency of action (regardless of breed, age, sex, or temperament), speed of onset, and brief duration of action.