Equine Wound Care 101

Cuts, scrapes, and punctures can happen in the blink of an eye. Knowing how to treat minor wounds—and when to call the vet—is a helpful skill. Learn more about wounds, wound care, and helpful products to have in your first aid kit.

Types of Wounds

Understanding the types of wounds your horse can sustain is crucial for administering the correct care:

• A Scrapes (Abrasion): Varying from superficial grazes to deeper wounds that scrape away multiple skin layers.
• Puncture Wounds: These can introduce bacteria deep into the tissue and are a serious cause for concern regarding tetanus.
• Cuts (Laceration): These wounds may range from a minor nick to alarming injuries that expose underlying tissues such as tendons or bones.

When to Treat at Home vs. When to Call the Vet

Judging the severity of an injury is critical. Simple cuts may be manageable at home, but deeper or more serious wounds will require your vet's expertise. Here are indicators that your vet should be on their way:

• The injury is near or involves a joint
• There is visible bone, or the structure of tendons or ligaments
• Debris or foreign material is embedded in the wound
• Signs such as heat and swelling are present
• The wound is a penetrative or deep puncture

Immediate Care and Cleaning

Speedy action can make all the difference when administering first aid to a wound. When treating a wound, don't forget to:

1. Clean it. Effective cleaning is your first step in mitigating infection and scarring. A gentle yet thorough stream of water from a hose can help clear out debris. For more sterile cleaning, sterile saline solutions or diluted povidone-iodine solutions are a reliable choice. Be as gentle as possible when cleaning the wound to avoid causing additional trauma to the affected area.
2. Once the wound is clean, pat it gently with a clean towel. Align any skin flaps to aid in natural healing. Apply a gauze pad with antibacterial ointment meant for equine use, and secure it in place.
3. Your veterinarian may suggest sutures, depending on the wound's specifics. Should suturing be necessary, a course of antibiotics will likely be prescribed to combat infection and minimize excessive drainage. Your veterinarian's guidance will be key in determining the best antibiotic and treatment duration for your horse's specific injury.

First-Aid Upgrade: Wound Care

Now that you what to do when your horse gets a cut, scrape or puncture, here are some products to keep in your equine first-aid kit that can help you heal their wound.

• Purishield Wound & Skin Care Liquid Bandage Plus is a breathable and flexible spray bandage that promotes healing and protects against germs, insects, and dirt. This sprayable liquid bandage shield promotes healing for 24 hours for safe and effective management of wounds, cuts, burns, sores, abrasions, insect bites, scratches, and more on horses, livestock, dogs, and cats. PuriShield Wound & Skin Care Liquid Bandage Plus is non-toxic, non-irritating, non-stinging and non-staining. Contains NO steroids, antibiotics, alcohol, or harsh chlorine.
• Proper wound cleaning and treatment during the first six hours after injury can help reduce the chance of infection. Protect your horse with Scarlex Scarlet Oil Spray Wound Dressing. Scarlex® Scarlet Oil Spray Wound Dressing is a soothing, slow-drying antiseptic dressing for minor skin lesions, surface wounds, cuts, and burns.
• Horses have sensitive skin, which can lead to problems if exposed to excessive amounts of moisture. Aloedine Medicated Shampoo combines iodine with aloe vera to help prevent skin conditions that can develop, particularly in the summer. Gentle enough for everyday use on horses, Aloedine develops a rich lather that penetrates deeply and cleanses contaminated areas.