Wound Care for Horses

Wounds come in all shapes and sizes and often the smallest of wounds can be the most insidious. This article will assist you in recognising common wounds, first aid action, bandaging tips and what to watch for.

Common Types of Wounds in Horses

Cuts and Lacerations
The skin is broken, with tissues below the skin exposed and bleeding is evident.

Degloving
The laceration occurs around a point of the leg and peels the skin off down to a lower point.

Overreach
Usually affects the bulb of the hoof and will vary in depth and tissue damage.

Superficial
Non-penetrating grazes and abrasions.

Puncture
A small entry point will vary in depth but is often a deep injury.

First Aid for Major Cuts and Lacerations

• Stop the bleeding by applying a light sterile bandage over the wound site. If a bandage is not available, apply light pressure with your hand over the wound until the bleeding stops.

• Once bleeding has ceased, flush the wound using a saline solution. If unavailable, hose the site with low pressure to remove the blood and any dirt and debris around the site.

• Gently wash the site with an antiseptic solution.

• Pat dry the wound and clean thoroughly with sterile swabs or a clean towel.

• If a flap or tear is evident, carefully lift the flap into position and apply a support bandage.

• Contact your veterinarian.

First Aid for Puncture Wounds

• Closely examine the exact location and depth of the wound.

• If a foreign body is still in the wound, do not remove it. Keep the horse quiet and, if practical, lightly bandage over the site to keep the object in place until your veterinarian arrives.

• If the foreign body is not evident, wash the site with an antiseptic solution.

• Contact your veterinarian, as puncture wounds require immediate attention.

First Aid for Superficial wounds

• Flush the site with a saline solution or hose the site on low pressure.

• Pat dry using a sterile swab or clean towel.

• Apply an antiseptic solution to the site.

• Apply a topical antibiotic spray or ointment to the site.

• Depending on the size of the injury and location of the wound, a veterinarian may or may not be required.

TIP: Administer Equivac TAT at the time of injury EVEN if the horse has been vaccinated with Equivac 2 in 1

Bandaging

The purpose of bandaging
Protection, support and acts as a compression.

What should a bandage look like?
A bandage should consist of three layers:
• A non-adhesive dressing with a topical ointment (as recommended by your veterinarian) placed directly over the wound site.

• A protective layer of sterile padding around the leg (minimum) three times to protect the wound from discharge, dirt and debris.

• The outer self-adhesive bandage to provide compression and hold all layers into place.

What to do before bandaging

• Keep all bandaging items in one kit and replenished after use

• Set up - Select all bandage items and place them together and remove packaging before bandaging

• Cut the correct length of protective padding and have scissors and tape ready

• Have the relevant topical ointment or spray ready to treat the wound

• Adhesive bandages can be tricky to work with, unwind approx 20cm of the bandage and wrap it back on the roll. This will provide ‘give’ when you start applying the adhesive bandage

Safety whilst bandaging

• For the reactive horse, have a handler to hold the horse whilst you apply the bandage

• Be mindful of where you stand when applying the bandage. Do not place yourself in a compromising position

How to apply a bandage

Apply firmly with even pressure so there is no restriction on circulation and/ or movement

Don’t skimp on product - use plenty of the bandage

If a wound is on a near side leg bandage counterclockwise

If a wound is on a offside leg bandage clockwise

Avoid or smooth out wrinkles in the bandage, as they will cause pressure points

Ensure there is no excessive pressure to the accessory carpal bone located at the back of the knee and the Achilles tendon (that runs up the back of the leg above the hock) by snipping the top of the bandage to release pressure

Wrap a layer of an adhesive bandage directly at the top and bottom of the bandage with an overlap against the horse’s hair to reduce slippage

Secure the bandage by wrapping up to three layers of electrical tape around the top and bottom of the bandage

Bandages need to be changed on average every two to three days to avoid infection

If budget is tight, a nappy is an alternative for layer two of the padding

A scalpel knife is a handy tool to assist in removing bandages

Stable bandage the other supporting limb, as this limb will carry most of the load

What to look out for

Check for bandage rubs every bandage change

Excessive swelling above or below the bandage may indicate the bandage is too tight and circulation and movement will be compromised

Replace bandages that have slipped

If the horse is biting at the bandage it indicates the bandage is too tight and causing pain

Loss of appetite and elevated temperature and/or increased lameness requires veterinary attention

Excess granulation may indicate proud flesh that may require surgical debridement

TIP: There is only a small window of opportunity to suture a wound. The sooner following the injury the better the stitches will hold. Sutured wounds heal faster and leave less scarring than unsutured wounds.

Article: Kerri Cock - Horse Deals

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For more on bandaging you might like Learn How to Bandage Horse's Leg Wounds in 10 Easy Steps