Needles come in a variety of different lengths and diameters and are coded by color for ease of reference. Selecting the correct needle for the drug to be injected helps it to be administered in a timely manner while also considering the comfort of the horse. It is important to choose the proper needle gauge for the drug to be injected. The most common needle lengths used in equine medicine are 1.0” and 1.5”. One-inch needles are generally used for foals and subcutaneous injections, whereas 1.5” length needles are normally used for adult horses.

