How to Treat a Cut on a Horse

The majority of wounds that veterinarians repair on horses are cuts. Horses can get cut on almost anything and usually find a way to get hurt even when you take precautions. Learn how to treat a cut on a horse and help him heal faster and safer.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Catch the horse and tie him securely in a safe location. Hurt horses can be dangerous to themselves and other around them. Some horses may panic when in pain.
2. Look at the cut to see how deep, old and severe it is. If it is fresh (less than 6 hours old), it can probably be stitched. If the cut is old, a veterinarian will not stitch it. Stitching old, contaminated cuts can cause infection to form inside the wound.
3. Shave or trim the hair around the area if possible. This keeps medication and pus from getting stuck in the hair and contaminating the wound further.
4. Wash the cut with saline solution or with a running water hose. Hold the hose on the cut for a few minutes to rinse away dirt and debris. Use an extremely mild soap if necessary.
5. Apply a salve or topical medication to the cut. Ask your veterinarian for a recommended medication before your horse is cut. After applying medication, use fly spray around the cut to keep bugs away.
6. Wrap the cut with bandages if possible. A cut on the leg can be wrapped by applying gauze to the cut area and then wrapping with cohesive bandages.
7. Repeat the process daily until the cut is healed. Clean old medication off, apply fresh medication and re-wrap with new gauze daily.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't attempt to care for a large or very deep cut. Call your veterinarian immediately.