EquiSed: Scale to assess the quality and degree of sedation and tranquilization in horses

1. Touch the ear (Touch inside the ears with blunt tipped material for three seconds)

Score

Videos

Intense movement of the ear and head and/or neck and body movement

0

Intense movement of the ear and/or head and/or neck

1

Slight movement of the ear and/or head and/or neck

2

No response

3

2. Press the coronary band of thoracic limb (Apply strong pressure for three seconds with blunt tipped material on the coronary band of thoracic limb)

Score

Videos

Raises the limb quickly before or when touched and/or moves the other limbs and/or head and/or trunk

0

Raises the limb slowly

1

Moves the limb slowly without raising it

2

No response

3

3. Press the coronary band of pelvic limb (Apply strong pressure for three seconds with blunt tipped material on the coronary band of pelvic limb)

Score

Videos

Raises the limb quickly before or when touched and/or moves the other limbs and/or head and/or trunk

0

Raises the limb slowly

1

Moves the limb slowly without raising it

2

No response

3

4. Postural instability (Observe the stationary animal and then forcefully push it laterally)

Score

Videos

No swaying. Weight bearing on all limbs, or resting one limb

0

No or slight swaying. One limb abducted (wide stance)

1

Moderate swaying. Thoracic and/or pelvic limbs abducted (wide stance), and/or one limb misaligned

2

Intense swaying, risk of falling down or falling down. Abducts (wide stance) the thoracic and/or pelvic limbs, and/or one limb misaligned or crossed

3

5. Auditory (Response to loud hand clap behind the animal)

Escore

Vídeos

Rapid movement of the head and/or neck and/or ear(s) and body movement

0

Rapid movement of the head and/or neck and/or ear(s)

1

Slow movement of the head and/or neck and/or ear(s)

2

No response

3

6. Visual (Response to opening an umbrella in front of the animal)

Escore

Vídeos

Moves the head and/or neck and/or ear(s) and limb(s)

0

Intense movement of the head and/or neck and/or ear(s)

1

Slight movement of the head and/or neck and/or ear(s)

2

No response

3

Maximum possible sum of the EquiSed

18