Equine · Equus caballus · typical adult weight 350.00–700.00 kg
Midazolam is dosed at 0.02–0.06 mg/kg IV single dose in horses, per Wakuno A, Aoki M, Kushiro A, et al. Comparison of alfaxalone, ketamine and thiopental for anaesthetic induction and recovery in Thoroughbred horses premedicated with medetomidine and midazolam. Equine Vet J. 2017;49(1):94-98. doi:10.1111/evj.12548; Vries A de, Thomson S, Taylor PM. Comparison of midazolam and diazepam as co-induction agents with ketamine for anaesthesia in sedated ponies undergoing field castration. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2015;42(5):512-517. doi:10.1111/vaa.12230; Smith MC, Bass L, Damone J, Mama K, Rao S. Comparison of xylazine and detomidine in combination with midazolam/ketamine for field castration in Quarter Horses. Equine Vet J. 2020;52(4):516-521. doi:10.1111/evj.13232 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.910 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.880, Midazolam monograph spanning p.880-884; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Midazolam is used in horses for Co-induction agent for anesthesia/TIVA, in combination with an alpha-2 agonist (xylazine, detomidine, romifidine, medetomidine) and ketamine. Routes documented in horses: IV. A typical adult horse weighs 350.00–700.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Midazolam in horses, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Versed
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 0.02–0.06 mg/kg | single dose | Co-induction agent for anesthesia/TIVA, in combination with an alpha-2 agonist (xylazine, detomidine, romifidine, medetomidine) and ketamine | Moderate | Wakuno A, Aoki M, Kushiro A, et al. Comparison of alfaxalone, ketamine and thiopental for anaesthetic induction and recovery in Thoroughbred horses premedicated with medetomidine and midazolam. Equine Vet J. 2017;49(1):94-98. doi:10.1111/evj.12548; Vries A de, Thomson S, Taylor PM. Comparison of midazolam and diazepam as co-induction agents with ketamine for anaesthesia in sedated ponies undergoing field castration. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2015;42(5):512-517. doi:10.1111/vaa.12230; Smith MC, Bass L, Damone J, Mama K, Rao S. Comparison of xylazine and detomidine in combination with midazolam/ketamine for field castration in Quarter Horses. Equine Vet J. 2020;52(4):516-521. doi:10.1111/evj.13232 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.910 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.880, Midazolam monograph spanning p.880-884; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1–0.2 | IV | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.558 | • Neonatal seizures in foals: 0.1-0.2 mg/kg (5-10 mg per foal) IV, over 15-20 min |
| 0.1 | IV | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.558 | • Anesthetic adjunct in horses: 0.1 mg/kg IV, administered with ketamine |
| 2.2 | — | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.558 | (2.2 mg/kg) or other anesthetics (e.g., xylazine). |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
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Enhances GABA-A receptor activity, increasing chloride conductance. Provides anxiolysis, sedation, muscle relaxation, and anticonvulsant effects.
May cause paradoxical excitement in healthy dogs when used alone. Water-soluble (less painful IM than diazepam). Respiratory depression at high doses. Flumazenil is the reversal agent.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for horses may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Midazolam dose range in horses, with cited source references: IV 0.02–0.06 mg/kg single dose. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Midazolam in horses: IV.
Midazolam is indicated in horses for: Co-induction agent for anesthesia/TIVA, in combination with an alpha-2 agonist (xylazine, detomidine, romifidine, medetomidine) and ketamine.
These are general warnings for Midazolam across species; consult the horse dosing table above for species-specific guidance. May cause paradoxical excitement in healthy dogs when used alone. Water-soluble (less painful IM than diazepam). Respiratory depression at high doses. Flumazenil is the reversal agent.
Why a species-specific page? Midazolam pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in horses — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.