How to Care for Horse Wounds

How to care for horse wounds

Horses like all other pets and animals can occasionally graze and hurt themselves. To make sure the wound don't evolve into any bigger infections some steps should be followed to make sure they optimally recover.

Step 1- Examine 

Is the first step you should do when noticing your horse has a wound. Look closely and examine the wound. Look to see what type of wound it is, is it a bite or a scrape? Look at the surrounding skin to make sure it isn't a bigger problem that you need to immediately call the vet for. An inconspicuous puncture wound can be much more detrimental that a regular scrape. Also look to see if there are any other scrapes you need to address as well. You may also want to lightly press around the wound to see if it is deeper than a surface cut or if it has progressed into an abases, a pocket wound which could harbor bacteria.

Step 2- Wash out

After you've examined the wound its time to wash it out. Wash the wound out with cold clean water. Make sure to wash away any debris, dirt or blood from the site of the wound. This step is important because dirt and debris can lead to infection as well as an obstruction to the wound naturally closing on its own. A diluted betadine solution can be used to disinfect and clean out the wound as well with cold water. No matter what type of wound, always wash it out and clean the infected site. The wound should be cleaned once every 24 hours until healed.

Step 3- Compression bandage

Compression bandaging is important in that it will keep dirt and debris from entering the cut until it has a chance to heal. The wound should be cleaned and dressed every 24 hours. Though bandaging can be stopped when a layer of tissue forms over the wound, basically a scab. If you continue to bandage after a scab has formed you can get in the way of the healing process. You should continue to gently clean the wound with clean cold water to deter debris, but topicals and bandages are no longer needed after a scab has formed.

Step 4- Call the Vet

 It is always important to call your vet and make sure they know what's going on. Most likely it is nothing to worry about but it is always better to be safe. Be sure to provide details about the wound, about how long your horse has had the wound and if you can find how your horse acquired the wound. Also inform your vet what you have been doing to treat the wound. They may give you new tips on what to do or they may tell you to keep up what you are doing. Though if the wound seems to prolong for a period of time without resolving itself, then schedule an appointment with your vet. And do not forget to bring up any wounds or oddities at your horses next vet appointment. Overall,  all wounds are different.

So when your horse gets a wound remember to stay calm, looks can be very deceiving. Clean the wound thoroughly and frequently. Keeping the cut clean is vital. And compression bandage the cut. Compression bandaging will keep all nasty stuff out and stop potential bleeding. Finally, call your vet, they are experts on animal care and can help calm nerves in any situation.