How to Care for Hair Loss on Wounds in Horses

Traumatic wounds in horses are common. Hair loss generally occurs in lacerated wounds that damage the top layers of tissue. Permanent hair loss results when scar tissue is formed and the hair follicle is destroyed. According to Jessica Jahiel, PhD, of Holistic Horsemanship, if the wound does not become infected, hair follicles are present and scarring is kept to a minimum, a horse's hair may regrow in time; however, it may take several months. To encourage successful hair growth in horses, maximize the amount of healthy, supple skin by keeping the wound clean and moist, which will encourage optimal healing of underlying tissue.

Things You'll Need

  • Sterile or saline solution
  • Sterile gauze
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Nonstick, sterile dressing
  • Elastic veterinary bandage
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Instructions

    • 1

      Calm the horse and ensure it doesn't sustain further injury. Check vital signs and monitor for shock (irregular breathing, cold ears, unfocused eyes). If you suspect the horse may be in shock, cover the horse in light blankets and call a veterinarian immediately.

    • 2

      Move the horse, if possible, to a safe area and evaluate the wound. If the horse is bleeding heavily, a limb is deformed or a foreign object is embedded, call a veterinarian immediately. If there are no signs of a serious, life-threatening injury and the horse is not in shock, administer care.

    • 3

      Wash your hands if possible, and use sterile gauze and saline solution to cleanse the wound, scrubbing gently and removing contaminants. Continue until the gauze remains free of visible dirt and stained by only a small amount of fresh blood. If no sterile solution is available, using a dry, sterile dressing is better than introducing more bacteria to the wound through contaminated water.

    • 4

      Cover the wound with a medicated antibiotic ointment and a sterile, nonstick dressing, holding it in place with elastic veterinary tape. This will prevent infection and keep dirt out of the wound.

    • 5

      Apply pressure to the wound until the bleeding stops, if necessary. If ice is available, apply it directly over the dressing to prevent swelling.

    • 6

      Consult a veterinarian, even for small wounds, to ensure proper healing and a full recovery.

    • 7

      Monitor the wound daily, watching for signs of infection such as a yellow/green discharge, excessive fluid or foul odor. Continue necessary wound treatments such as cleaning, ointment applications and bandaging, but avoid unnecessary meddling, which will delay the healing process.

    • 8

      Apply antibiotic ointment to the wound after the skin begins to heal to reduce scarring. That will encourage moist, healthy skin repair and increase the potential for new hair growth.