29/05/2026
๐ง๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ ๐ฑ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐๐บ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐บ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต๐ - ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฒ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฑ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐บ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต๐.
The prompt and correct treatment of a wound is vital to prevent the onset of infection, to speed up healing, as well as reduce the risk of scarring.
It is important to ensure that you move your horse to an area that is safe and clean when assessing wounds. If there is profuse bleeding or you notice any clear sticky fluid then call your vet immediately.
If a wound is oozing blood, apply pressure for a few minutes to see if the bleeding stops. If the bleeding continues reapply the pressure.
Lavage all wounds as soon as possible with a saline solution or a level teaspoon of salt per pint of previously boiled water. If necessary, clip the coat and clean around the wound area.
Try to discover the cause as its possible there could be a foreign body hidden below the surface, do not remove foreign body if you see one, call the vet. Do not poke about in the wound as this can lead to infection. If very swollen or very lame, call the vet.
If the wound is not severe and does not require veterinary attention then generously apply a sterile wound hydrogel to a depth of about 5mm, or medical-grade manuka honey. Wounds are able to heal quicker in a moisture controlled environment.
Next, you could dress and bandage the wound to provide support and protection especially from flies in summer months. Cover the affected area with a low-adherent wound dressing, such as Skintact. Finally, insulate and protect the wound with Veterinary Gamgee and hold in place with an Equiwrap cohesive bandage.
Donโt forget to change the bandage regularly and repeat the process. On average every 2 -3 days but very much depends on the severity of the wound.
If you are not able to dress the wound due to its location then applying general fly gear like masks, boots or rugs to help protect from flies. You could also stable during peak fly hours or graze in breezy open fields not near woods or standing water. The use of thick fly repellent ointments can also be used around the edges and close to wounds but not directly on them.
Summer heat and unbandaged wounds often cause proud flesh to grow - exuberant granulation tissue. If the pink tissue grows above the skin level, it prevents new skin from closing. Consult your veterinarian for surgical or chemical debridement.
Remember to always ensure your horse is covered for tetanus.
