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SPONSORED BY A27 TheHorse.com/AAEP2017 March 2018 THE HORSE AAEP Wrap-Up or performing the problem behavior." In theory, this technique seems like it should work. Rather, it can be distressing or traumatic to the horse and dangerous for the handler, she said. Reinforcing desired behaviors "The most effective way to change behavior is to reinforce the behavior you want and not the unwanted behavior," said Foster. Again using the needle-shy horse ex- ample: Veterinarians can apply well-timed positive reinforcement in the form of a treat or withers scratch as a reward for standing still when the syringe is in place. Alternately, if the horse tries to barge forward as the veterinarian approaches with a syringe, he or she should keep the syringe in constant position, moving with the horse and only taking the syringe away when the horse stops moving. Avoiding punishment "Fear-based be- haviors are often punished with forceful, painful, and confrontational methods," said Foster. Punishment, however, does not address the fear at the root of a problem. Instead, she said, it only validates the horse's fear and adds to the unpleasant experience. "The repeated use of punishment can also lead to … a worsening of problem behavior, with greater intensity and ear- lier onset as the horse anticipates not only the veterinary care but also the unpleas- ant punishment," said Foster. Using minimal restraint While restraint sometimes plays an important role in managing horse behavior, Foster recom- mends using less-stressful methods, such as lip twitches and, for particularly pain- ful procedures, sedation, when needed. Foster said applying all these principles can improve safety, equine welfare, and client satisfaction. Used by the horse own- er between vet visits and over a horse's lifetime, they can reduce horse fear, anxiety, and behavior problems. They're also important because vet professionals "set an example for owners and the public about how to properly handle animals in a safe and humane manner," she said. The Best Ways to Move Down Horses Be it trapped, cast, or dead, a down horse can be both difficult and dangerous to move. Vets arriving on the scene of an accident or a trapped horse have the expe- rience and skills to lead the rescue effort and keep both humans and horse out of danger. For guidance, Rebecca Gimenez, PhD, president of Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue Inc., presented ways vets can move or reposition recumbent (down) horses safely and effectively. She first listed some general rules: 1. Wear proper protective equipment, especially a helmet. 2. Don't put people in positions that would lead to injuries. 3. Don't attach anything to or pull on the horse's head, neck, or leg structures. 4. Same goes for the horse's tail. 5. Use webbing with looped ends and, if possible, padding to move the horse. 6. Ideally, use pectoral (chest) and pelvic girdles as attachment points. 7. Blindfold the horse to encourage him to relax and to protect the downside eye. 8. Assess if he needs sedation or anesthe- sia based on his status and injury risk. 9. If possible, allow horses to self-rescue, leaving the legs, head, and neck free. 10. Always treat animals (even dead ones) respectfully and professionally. The basic equipment needed includes looped-end 10-cm-wide webbing or 2.5-cm-thick cotton rope; reach tools to guide webbing; gloves and a helmet; a halter; and a saw. Gimenez then described techniques for manipulating these horses. Simple one-leg Useful in confined spaces or with few people, this involves at- taching webbing to the downside hind leg at the pastern and rolling the horse over. Simple two-leg With more space and hands, this method can also help right cast horses and requires attaching web- bing to both downside limbs (front and back) and rolling the animal over. Web-assist roll Useful for entrapments, this involves placing webbing under all four legs, slightly above the hocks and knees, and rolling the horse over. Forward assist This method involves placing webbing around the horse's chest and through his front legs, allowing his limbs to remain free. Sideways slide This method moves the animal sideways without rolling, some- times onto a rescue glide. Two pieces of webbing encircle his abdomen behind the front legs and in front of the back legs. Backward drag This method is useful when the only access to the animal is from the rear. The rescuer wraps the web- bing around the horse's pelvis and feeds it through the hind legs. Vertical lift This last-ditch option usually requires heavy equipment and sedation to place the horse in a sling or webbing and lift him vertically. "The suggested methods provide a more professional, safe, and efficient response to horses that are recumbent due to being geriatric, debilitated, injured, or in daily clinical situations or as part of a technical rescue response scenario," said Gimenez. h e Visit TheHorse.com/AAEP2017 ■ Preventing Problem Behaviors During Veterinary Procedures, TheHorse.com/40229 COURTESY DR. REBECCA GIMENEZ A backward drag, seen here, is useful in scenarios where you only have access to the horse's rear.