What is essential when administering an intramuscular injection to a horse?

When administering an intramuscular injection to a horse, maintaining sterility is crucial. This practice helps prevent infections at the injection site, which can lead to complications such as abscess formation or systemic infections. A sterile technique involves using clean equipment, proper disinfection of the site, and minimizing contamination while administering the injection.

Using a long needle may seem practical for reaching deeper muscles, but what truly matters is the proper gauge and length that allow for effective delivery of the medication while ensuring the safety and comfort of the horse. Administering injections quickly is often emphasized to reduce stress, but if sterility is compromised, the risks may outweigh the benefits. Similarly, giving a low dose may help in certain contexts, but it does not address the critical aspect of preventing infection, which is why maintaining sterility at all times is essential.