Ace For Horses Dosage: How Much Should You Give?

Last Updated on December 29, 2022

Many barns will keep ace stocked for various scenarios. When figuring out an ace for horse dosage, you want to make sure that you give the proper amount. It is important to know how many aces to administer and when it is appropriate to administer them.

Like with all medications, proper storage of ace is important. In addition, you will want to know what it does and how it can help your horse in different circumstances. Ace is one of the more common medications that horse owners will have on hand.

What Is Ace For Horses?

Ace or acepromazine is a muscle relaxant for horses that are often used alone or in combination with other sedatives. It is rapid-acting, but it does not provide any pain relief, it is simply just a muscle relaxant.

Ace is a potent neuroleptic agent that has a low order of toxicity. In addition to being used in horses, it can also be used in cats and dogs as well.

What Is Ace For Horses

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What Is Ace Used For?

Ace is used for calming horses down in various circumstances where a horse may become nervous or stressed. Such instances include medical examinations, trailering, and medical procedures. In some cases, it may even be used for calming injured horses, clipping, and keeping horses calm for the farrier.

Ace may be administered alongside local anesthesia for various surgical procedures such as castration, removing skin tumors, ocular surgery, and neurectomy.

In some cases, ace is prescribed for laminitis because it lowers blood pressure by dilating small blood vessels, which in return improves circulation in the hoof. Some veterinarians may prescribe it for horses that are susceptible to tie-up as a preventive measure or as a part of treatment.

How Does Ace Work? 

Ace works by having a depressant effect on the central nervous system, leading to sedation, muscular relaxation, and a reduction in a horse’s activity. It has a rapid effect that makes it a popular choice as a sedative. It is a type of phenothiazine that decreases dopamine levels and also depresses some portions of the reticular activating system.

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How Is Ace Administered? Ace For Horses Dosage

Ace can be administered orally, intramuscularly, or intravenously. Ace does not provide analgesia and the tranquilizing aspect of the drug can be overcome unexpectedly. Such cases often include sensory stimulation.

Ace is generally less effective if given when the horse is excited. The effect of the drug can vary greatly by the individual horse.

Ace For Horses Dosage: How Much Should You Give?

When administering ace to your horse, you should generally follow the rule of giving two to four mg for every 100 pounds of body weight. This dosage can be followed for oral, intramuscular, or intravenous administration of ace.

Ace should be given in at least 15 minutes in advance for it to become effective and take full effect. Before giving your horse ace, you should talk with your veterinarian to ensure that your horse is receiving the proper dosage and it is safe for your horse to receive ace. In addition, it is also very important you know how to properly administer ace to your horse no matter which method you choose.

Side Effects And Reactions – Ace For Horses Dosage

In some cases, the ace may cause horses to become wobbly and uncoordinated. Since it lowers blood pressure, it generally should not be given to horses experiencing colic, shock, anemia, or dehydration.

In rare cases, the ace may cause permanent paralysis of the muscles that retract the penis. Since this can cause a permanent erection, it is often not recommended for use in stallions.

Ace For Horses Side Effects And Reactions

Do You Need A Prescription For Ace?

Though ace is readily available, it does require a prescription from a veterinarian. A veterinarian will ensure that it is safe for your horse to take ace in various situations where you may become nervous or stressed out.

Though ace does require a prescription, an owner or trainer can administer ace to a horse. It is very important that whoever is administering the prescription knows how to properly do so.

You can purchase ace at many online tack stores with a veterinarian prescription. In addition, you can also often purchase it through your veterinarian. Once you have an ace, be sure to properly store it according to the instructions on the box.

How Often Can You Give a Horse Ace?

The frequency at which it is safe to give Ace to horses will vary widely according to several factors. Acepromazine is a prescription-only medication, which means it should only ever be given to a horse under veterinary direction.

You may find that many horse owners have a readily-available stock of Ace, which they give to their horses whenever they need to keep them quiet for a specific procedure. If you need to do this every 4-6 weeks for a procedure such as shoeing or clipping, the regular dose prescribed by your veterinarian should be fine.

However, if your horse needs sedating daily for a procedure such as a bandage change then Ace might not be the best choice. In this situation, it is a good idea to consult with your veterinarian to decide on the best option for your horse.

There is one situation where Ace is given regularly to horses, and that is in horses that are suffering from laminitis. These horses may be given Ace up to three times per day as it is thought to improve the blood supply to the hooves. However, the dosage will be greatly reduced, and Ace should only be given to a horse in this way on the advice of your veterinary surgeon.

How Long Does Ace Last on a Horse?

The calming effects of Ace, or acepromazine, last from one to four hours in horses. This timespan varies according to the dose of acepromazine the horse is given and other factors such as the temperament of the horse and any external stimulating factors.

Although the effects of Ace tend to last for longer when higher doses are given, never be tempted to increase the dose above what is prescribed by your veterinarian. High doses of Ace lead to an increased risk of the horse becoming so wobbly it is unable to stand.

How Many Ace Pills For a Horse?

Ace, or acepromazine, is available in two forms – injectable medication or oral tablets and paste. In some countries, the tablet form is not licensed for horses, but in certain situations, your veterinarian may be able to prescribe Ace tablets ‘off-license’.

The dose of Ace tablets for a horse is calculated by a veterinarian according to the body weight of the horse. They also take into account factors such as the health status of the horse and the reason the sedation is required. It is very dangerous for a horse owner to attempt to calculate how many ace pills to give a horse because overdosing could cause serious side effects.

Can Ace Cause Ulcers in Horses?

There is no clear link between Acepromazine and ulcers in horses, but this does not mean that Ace does not cause ulcers in horses. Horses that are susceptible to ulcers can be very sensitive to certain medications, so it is not a good idea to give Ace without the advice of your veterinarian.

How Much is a Bottle of Ace For Horses?

Ace is only available on a prescription from a veterinarian. You may be able to buy a bottle of Ace directly from your veterinary clinic, which will also advise you on the dosage and safe administration of Ace.

Alternatively, you can also buy Ace from online pharmacies that specialize in animal medications. This can be a cheaper way to buy a bottle of Ace. However, you will need a prescription from your veterinarian to do this, which they may charge you for.

Where Can I Buy Acepromazine For Horses?

Acepromazine is a prescription-only medication. This means that you can only buy it when you have a valid prescription from a qualified and licensed veterinarian. Many horse owners buy Acepromazine directly from the veterinary clinic where the prescription is issued.

Alternatively, you can take the prescription to an animal pharmacy to have it fulfilled. They will need to check that the prescription is valid and that you are the person named on the prescription. Be aware that many veterinarians charge for issuing a prescription to cover their administration costs, so this may be a more expensive route.

Administering Ace To Your Horse – Ace For Horses Dosage

Ace is commonly used among horse owners to calm horses for various situations including trailering, medical examinations, clipping, standing for the farrier, and calming an injured horse. It is a muscle relaxant that has a depressant effect, but it does not provide pain relief.

Do you have any questions regarding ace for horse dosage? If so, please ask any questions regarding administering ace in the comments.

FAQ’s

How Do You Give Acepromazine to a Horse?

Ace can be given to a horse orally, intramuscularly or intravenously. It can be administered be an owner or trainer of a horse, but the provider must know how to properly administer it.

How Much Ace Do I Need to Calm My Horse?

The typical amount of ace you need to give your horse is 2-4 mg for every 100 pounds of body weight. However, it is best to get your veterinarian's recommended dosage before giving it to your horse. It should be administered to your horse at least 15 minutes prior to when you need your horse to be calmed.

How Long Does it Take for Ace to Kick In?

It generally takes about 15 minutes for ace to kick after administering it to your horse. Be sure to provide plenty of time to give your horse ace as it will need time to kick in.

How Much Ace Do You Give a Horse?

In general, you want to give your horse 2-4 mg of ace for every 100 pounds of body weight. It is best to get your veterinarian's opinion on the exact dosage you should give your horse. In addition, though ace is readily available, you will need to get a prescription of ace for your horse before buying it.

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