Treating Minor Horse Wounds

It’s inevitable that your horse will get scratched, cut, or bruised at some point. Horses squabble in their pastures, get caught on twigs or fence rails, or may scrape themselves on gates or stall walls. Most often, these minor wounds heal quickly with no further problem. It is important, however, to know the difference between a minor nick, cut, bruise, or scrape, and a wound that needs the attention of a veterinarian. With a basic first aid kit, you will be able to treat most minor injuries yourself. It is also important that your horse has an annual tetanus shot.

Assessing the Wound

It’s easy to panic when you see a cut in your horse’s otherwise perfect coat, or blood trickling down a leg. But keeping a cool head will help you assess whether you have an emergency or a situation you can deal with yourself.

If your horse is eating, moving, and otherwise acting normally, and TPR (temperature, pulse, and respiration) values are normal, chances are good that all will be well. If the horse appears to be in pain, or the bleeding does not stop after a reasonable time, or any other abnormal behavior worries you, your veterinarian is your best advisor. Always keep your vet's number handy. 

While you are waiting for the vet, either safely tie or stable your horse, and ensure that both of you remain calm. Remember, however, that if your horse is acting in a manner that may injure you, you must keep yourself safe first.

Scrapes

The most common pasture injuries are scrapes. Scrapes occur for many reasons and can result in the shearing off of the hair and a bit of skin. Sometimes, just the hair will be missing, or the scrape may go a bit deeper, leaving a red inflamed bald area. These scrapes usually heal easily on their own without considerable scarring. When they only affect the topmost layer of the skin, they are unlikely to become infected.

First-aid for minor scrapes entails cleaning the area with clean water. A good rinse from the hose does a good job of washing off any excess dirt and grit. An antibiotic ointment usually isn't necessary for a superficial wound, as this may trap dirt at the site. Frequently, it's best to allow very superficial, minor skin scrapes to heal naturally. If a scrape with redness and/or swelling is under the saddle or girth area, it may be best to let the area heal a bit before riding the horse.