08/08/2025
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Following on from our post about what should be in a first aid kit a few nights ago, we thought it would be good to go over wound management tonight.
As we all know all equines have the suicidal tendencies of sheep - even if you wrap them in bubble wrap there will be occasions when just walking around the field will result in some misfortunate escapade which even the most seasoned horse owner wouldn't have thought about when they turned their pride and joy out a few hours previously.
When we go out to the field to bring them back in and they look like they have done some full bodied shapes that have culminated in what can only be described as a blood bath, we tend to forget all rational and even the smallest of injuries can a) bleed a lot & b) send even the most experienced of owners into a bit of a tizz.
We know wounds can be stressful. Do you put something on it? Does it need stitches? Will it need Antibiotics? How did my horse know I actually had some money in my bank account this month......... All of these questions are sensible and hopefully we can help with some useful advice.
Contacting your vet is always a good approach - if you’re not sure what the right course of action is and you need the voice of reason to talk you down from the edge. Taking clear pictures or video with good lighting (use a torch, or flash on your phone) to send to us is a good place to start. A phone call costs nothing but it might help to advise where you go from here.
There are times when you will have no choice but to call out the vet..... When to call us:
- If the wound is full thickness, i.e. it has gone through the skin and the layer below the skin - the likelihood is this will need stitching
- If the wound is over or near a joint
- If your horse is lame
- If there is heavy bleeding
- If there is a foreign body present (something in there that shouldn’t be, i.e. twigs, nails, stones)
- If your horse is not vaccinated against tetanus, it will need covering with tetanus antitoxin.
The most common way horses contract tetanus is through the soil/mud, we will see at least one case of tetanus every couple of years and once the signs have started it is incredibly hard (and expensive) to treat Tetanus.
Whilst sometimes, we don't need to come and see you, if there are any of the above factors in play - you will need to see the vet. There are many things you can do whilst waiting for the vet, that will aid both yourself and your four legged friend.
- If your horse is mobile, get them into a clean, well lit area to be examined (if available)
- Decontaminate the wound with clean running water, a hose pipe is perfect for this
- If there is heavy bleeding, i.e. you can’t count the drips, then applying a clean pad or towel and securing it over the top of the injury is really useful.
Please do not be tempted (if the wound is fresh) to joyfully cover it in blue spray or any type of cream or powder. This will just contaminate the wound and whilst all vets love a good wound, we also like to be able to effectively clean it, which is very hard to do when there is a large amount of non sterile cream over it or in it, or when you've used blue spray in the form of modern art :)
Please refrain from giving your horse any medication. Bute and danilon are extremely potent pain killers, and will mask lameness. It is extremely important for us to determine HOW lame your horse is when a wound is involved
We will arrive with the speed of superwoman and the calm of zen to help you resolve the issue at hand.
If you need us we are always availble on 01782 898102 and always happy to help.
