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).. Midazolam is used in horses for Pre-anesthetic, seizure control. 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 | Pre-anesthetic, seizure control | 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). |
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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: Pre-anesthetic, seizure control.
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.