How to Treat Equine Flesh Wounds

The horse is possibly more susceptible to flesh wounds than other species because of their comparatively thin skin, less protective hair covering and their nature of quick movements and excitability. Typical flesh wounds in horses include abrasions (partial thickness wounds of the top layer of skin), lacerations (wounds with sharp edges and minimal tissue trauma) and puncture wounds (small skin opening with possibly deep tissue damage). Horse owners can often treat abrasions and lacerations with minimal veterinary intervention. Puncture wounds may need to be examined by a veterinarian, depending on the depth and location of the wound. It is a horse owner's responsibility to determine the type of wound and treatment necessary for optimal equine health.

Things You'll Need

  • Sterile personal lubricant
  • Horse clippers
  • Gauze pads--4-inch by 4-inch
  • Cold water
  • Antibacterial or corticosteroid ointments
  • Stretch, adhesive bandage
  • Prescribed medications
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Instructions

  1. Treatment

    • 1

      Apply direct pressure to the wound to stop bleeding if blood flow is heavy or continues for more than five minutes.

    • 2

      Squirt sterile personal lubricant onto the wound, covering the entire area.

    • 3

      Clip hair away from the edges of the wound.

    • 4

      Use the gauze pads to pull the lubricant off of the wound by gently patting the pad onto the area and pulling straight up. The pad will hold on to the lubricant plus any hair, dirt and debris. Continue filling the wound with lubricant and pulling out debris until the area is clean.

    • 5

      Run cold water over the wound to finish the cleaning process, increase circulation and stimulate healing.

    • 6

      Place an antibacterial ointment on the wound to prevent drying out and infection. If the wound is anywhere on the horse's body except the legs, do not bandage it.

    • 7

      Use a corticosteroid cream on a leg wound, place a clean gauze pad on top of the wound and gently wrap with a stretch bandage. Change the bandage daily until granulation tissue (pink, new flesh) develops; then remove the bandage. This prevents formation of proud flesh, an overgrowth of granulation tissue.

    • 8

      Call a veterinarian for a full examination if the wound appears to be particularly deep, a puncture wound or extends into a joint or tendon. Administer any prescribed medications according to veterinary protocol.