Exotics And Equine Animal Handling Flashcards
Exotics approach
Mostly prey animal - reaction to run (apart from ferrets)
Don’t approach from above
Allow to approach you
Reduce noise
Small rodents handling
Minimal handling to reduce stress
Mice handling
Place on a roughened surface, thumb and first finger round shoulders
Light restraint to base of tail
Hamsters handling
Place on roughened surface
Thumb and first finger around shoulders
Palm cupping over top
Lightly scruff
Nocturnal
Rats handling
Grasp gently around shoulders
Support body
Light restraint
Gerbils handling
Cupped in two hands
Never tail (they can drop this)
Guinea pigs handling
Hold around the shoulders and hindquarters
Chinchillas handling
Never scruff due to slippy fur
Cup hands under hindlimb
Hold behind forelimbs
Ferrets handling
Front legs cupped between thumb and finger
Hindlegs supported
Scruff only if aggressive
Rabbits handling C hold
pick up with one hand behind the front legs and other underneath hind end
Grasp firmly to chest
Support spine
Rabbits handling football hold
One hand under Ventrum
Support chest and hind end
Place other hand over rabbits back
Pull body into chest
Large cage bird handling
Towel and hand and gasp firmly from back of neck
Thumb and forefinger under lower beak (push upwards to prevent biting)
Wrap towel round (cocoon)
Don’t use heavy gauntlets
Small birds handling
Gloves for protection
Hold neck between index and fingers
Thumb forefinger manipulate wings/legs
Cup bird with rest of hand
Poultry handling
Both hands to pin wings to side
Lift and place one hand with middle finger between legs and fingers either side
Other hand hold chickens head
Close to body
Quick movements should be avoided
Waterfowl handling
Use towel over body to contain then scoop up with one arm
Keep bird close to body
Other hand to hold neck
Swan cradle bag
Smaller can be held similar to chickens
Birds of prey handling
Similar to large caged birds
Restrain legs (talons)
Use hoods
Gauntlets
Towels
Jesses
Chelonia’s handling
Hold with both hands one either side of main shell
Head grasped firmly behind jaw
Aquatic - use soft cloth
Large lizard handling
Gauntlets
Use arm to support body
always face away from you
Tail tucked under elbow
Restraint use 2 hands and place animal on surface
Small lizard handling
Grasp from behind around shoulder area with thumb and forefinger
Other 3 finger around body
Leave tail hanging freely (reduce autonomy)
Snakes non venemous restraint
Control head
Support whole body
3 finger grasp top of neck
Thumb of forefinger either side of head
Longer than 4ft need 2 people
Snakes venomous handling
Restrain with snake tongs/hooks, press head to ground and grasp
2 people
Antivenom
PPE
Approaching horses
Observe behaviour/signs
Approach shoulder diagonally
Quiet and confident manner
Avoid cornering
Encourage horse to approach
Restraint for horses
Tie horse to suitable ring, post or rail
Tie to a breakable loop of string/twine
Quick release knot
Some horse may need to be held by a second person
Head collars for horses
Approach towards the shoulder
Needs to fit well
Nose band to increase control
