Guest Author - Gwen Goodfellow

1. Move your horse to a contained area, away from other horses, preferably a familiar area. Get someone to come and hold your horse so you can treat him. If there isn’t anyone, the tie your horse safely to a sturdy post. If your horse is willing to eat, then go ahead and give him some hay to keep him busy.

2. Examine the wound. Where is it located? If it is below the knee or hock, or over a joint then you may want to have your veterinarian out to check it for tendon damage. In addition if it is more than a minor scrape or cut it is easier for infection to set in. How deep is it? Does it penetrate the skin completely? If you can see any inner structures, if there is excessive blood, or it is pumping out of the wound call your vet and start applying pressure to the wound with thick layers of gauze till the bleeding slows or the vet gets there. What type of wound is it, a puncture, tear, or a cut? If it gaping and won’t stay closed, get the vet out to suture it within 24 hours. What type of tissue is affected, and how much damage is there? Again call the vet if it is serious or even something that you’re not sure you can handle. Many vets will walk you through caring for it over the phone.

3. Clean thoroughly with running water. Remove all foreign materials. If you need to, you can use a gauze pad to clean the wound. Don’t rub or swab it, as this can cause further irritation.

4. Apply an antiseptic such as Furazon, a Providone-Iodine solution, or a red or blue kote product. If it is not a spray, then use gauze pads to dab onto the wound. Give this time to air out.

5. Bandage the wound if needed. Dress the wound with a nonirritating dressing. The ones that I have experience with, are nitro-furazone for very minor wounds, Furall spray (which creates its own coating over the wound), Active Manuka Honey, and Tea Tree Ointments. You can also use a triple antibiotic ointment from your personal first aid kit. To dress the wound, use a gauze pad to apply a thin layer of the ointment over the wound, and around the edges. Place a clean gauze pad over the area, and wrap with an ace bandage, or a vet wrap type product.

6. Depending on the severity, immobilize the horse by stalling or penning in a small paddock or field.

7. Make sure that your horse has had a tetanus booster within the past 8-12 months. Decide how often you will check the wound and redress it. Keep checking it at regular intervals. At the first sign of any complications, call your vet for more advice. If the horse chews at the bandaging, you can powder over it with cayenne or hot pepper powder, but don’t get any in the wound itself!
Just remember, if you’re unsure about anything call your veterinarian.