Wounds in Horses

At some point in equine ownership, almost everyone will face treating a wound on her horse. Equine wounds tend to fall into three main categories: Abrasions, lacerations and punctures. While an owner will be capable of treating many of these on his own, others will require the expertise of a veterinarian.

  1. Abrasions

    • Probably the least serious of the common wounds in horses is an abrasion, which is usually nothing more than a scrape. Abrasions can be the result of rope burns, a glancing blow by a hoof, or rubbing against a tree or fence because of itchy skin. This is an injury you can usually take care of yourself unless infection sets in or it is in conjunction with one of the other types of wounds. Thoroughly wash the wound using warm water and a iodine solution to counteract any infection. These can usually be left open to the air to promote healing.

    Lacerations

    • Stalling a horse may speed up wound recovery.

      Lacerations or cuts are more serious than abrasions and in many cases do require a visit from a veterinarian.The severity of these will depend on how deep they are and where they are located; call a veterinarian for all lacerations that bleed excessively or are located near a joint or near an eye. Wash these wounds out gently using a iodine solution mixed with water. Apply pressure to the wound to stop bleeding if necessary. A flap of skin may require stitches. Many lacerations will also require some antibiotics to avoid infections. Running cold water over these wounds can encourage healing.

    Puncture Wounds

    • The most serious type of wound is a one caused by a puncture as it can often harbor bacteria which can lead to infection. Call a veterinarian for any punctures near a joint or on the chest or abdomen or if they appear excessively deep. Also contact your vet if it appears a foreign object is still in the puncture. If the puncture does not appear deep, no foreign material is present and it is not in one of the vital areas listed above, flush out the wound with a sterile saline solution and leave it open to the air to allow for drainage.

    Precautions

    • Keep all horses current on tetanus vaccinations. In the case of injury, be prepared to protect the wound from flies and other irritants. In summer months, stalling the horse during the day with nighttime turnout may protect it from flies. There are also numerous fly repellents and fly masks on the market that can help. Be sure to tell your veterinarian of any concerns you have and be sure to follow all her directions.