Final answer:
Xylazine is a drug commonly used as a sedative for horses due to its sedative and analgesic properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The drug commonly used as a sedative for horses is Xylazine. Xylazine acts as both a sedative and an analgesic (pain reliever), making it suitable for veterinary procedures that require both tranquility and pain relief in animals such as horses. Although drugs like ketamine and diazepam are also used in veterinary practice, ketamine serves more often as a general anesthetic, especially in settings where rapid induction of anesthesia is needed. Diazepam, which is part of the benzodiazepines class, is more commonly associated with relieving tension and anxiety in humans, and sometimes used in combination with other anesthetics in animal medicine.
In summary, while there are several drugs that have sedative effects, Xylazine is specifically recognized for its use in equine sedation. It is important to always have a veterinarian administer such drugs, as they are highly potent and require knowledge of animal dosages and healthcare needs.