This is both a review and a tip for how to get your horse to take Bute (if they need to). I have spent good money on medication, only to have a horse chew it up and spit it out. Hiding Bute shouldn’t be rocket science, but some horses are suspicious and extremely picky! Bamboozal, my Morgan gelding, is SUPER suspicious and skeptical of anything medicinal or anything that could be hiding something medicinal. I’ve found the best way to get him to take a pill is with a Squeezy Bun. They are kind of pricey, but so worth it if your horse is picky!
Squeezy Buns Can Be Difficult to Work With
Squeezy Buns can be very temperamental, so don’t think it’s going to be as easy as just shoving a pill into a roll of dough or something. You have to CAREFULLY part the Squeezy Bun in half like a hamburger bun and then gently place the pill inside. Putting the top back on is also a careful process. Don’t over do it, or the Squeezy Bun could fall apart! Hiding Bute in a Squeezy Bun is an art!
*****SPECIAL NOTE ON SQUEEZY BUNS AND COLD WEATHER*****
Squeezy Buns don’t like cold weather. Try not to leave yours in the tackroom or your trailer over the winter. It can cause them to become crumbly or fall apart. If your Squeezy Bun is cold, put in in a pocket or something to warm it up before you try to hide a pill in it.
Squeezy Buns Are Great For Hiding Bute
Overall, I really like the Squeezy Bun. It’s a little too expensive as an everyday treat for me, so I try to only use them for times when I need to give somebody a pill. The Squeezy Bun gets an A+ for hiding medication for a horse. The nice thing about them is that they’re individually wrapped, so they will stay fresh for a longer period of time.
Bute is Tough on Tummies!
*****On a final note, Bute and other NSAIDs can be tough on tummies, so talk to your vet about potential ways to mitigate or prevent ulcers. This is really important if your horse needs Bute regularly. I always make sure my horse has had hay or a bucket of soaked hay cubes prior to getting Bute. I don’t know if there’s any scientific data to support the practice, but I feel better knowing they’re not getting Bute on an empty tummy!
Let me know if you’ve used Squeezy Buns to hide a medication or if you have another method that works.
Happy Trails!