How to Treat Wounds on Horses

When your horse comes in from the pasture with an open wound, it can be frightening. However, if you stay calm and assess the situation, you will most often be able to care for the problem yourself. In some situations, a vet call save your horse's life. For minor emergencies, however, smart horse owners know how to handle the situation. Keep the proper medicines and supplies on hand in the event it happens to you.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bottled saline
• Plastic syringe
• Cotton swabs
• Antibiotic ointment
• Gauze
• Self-adhering wrap

1. Assess your horse. Whether he came up from the pasture with a puncture wound or somehow hurt himself in the stall, secure him in the cross ties and take a look at the injury. Slowly give your horse the once-over, from nose to tail. Look at the wound and check to see if there are any other injuries, sores, scratches or bites. If your horse has suffered only minor abrasions or cuts, you can take care of the situation at home.

2. Stop the bleeding. If the wound is moderate to severe, and if it is bleeding, grab a clean cloth, towel or gauze and apply pressure. In this case, it is an emergency, and you need a vet's advice.

3. Wash the wound. Rinse minor cuts, bruises and abrasions with clean water. While your horse is secured, spray the area with water from the hose. Use common sense when doing this. If it is freezing out, you will want to use warm water and perform any cleaning inside the barn, so your horse is not chilled.

4. Clean puncture wounds or deep lacerations. It is recommended that you use bottled saline to clean deep wounds. Purchase several bottles at the pharmacy and keep them in your medicine cabinet. Using a plastic syringe, draw up saline until the barrel fills. Gently expel the saline into the wound, taking care not to touch it. This action cleans any debris and foreign particles, decreasing the risk of infection.

5. Apply antibiotic ointment. Using long cotton swabs, apply antibiotic ointment to the wound. Use enough ointment to cover the injured tissue. Follow the manufacturer's directions regarding treatment and further applications.

6. Cover the wound. If the wound is on the horse's leg, it is possible to wrap the area. Using sterile gauze and a wrap that adheres to itself, apply the gauze first and then carefully wrap the leg as you would with polo wraps. Be careful not to wrap too tightly, as this can diminish your horse's circulation.

7. Repeat the treatments. As with any other wound care, you will have to repeat the same treatment until your horse heals. If you have covered the wound, carefully remove the bandage and gauze. Assess the wound, clean it and apply antibiotic ointment. If the wound begins to smell bad or ooze pus, or becomes red, swollen and feverish, contact the vet immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many different over-the-counter treatments for horse wounds. Get your vet's opinion on which one is best to keep in your emergency medical kit. If your horse appears lame or dangles a leg, contact your veterinarian for an evaluation. Deep wounds should also be checked by the doctor. Make sure your horse receives her annual tetanus vaccination.

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