Wound Healing in Horses

Wounds and minor injuries are a common part of horse life, resulting from various incidents such as scuffles, skin irritation during coat changes, or poorly fitting equipment. Proper care for these injuries is crucial for rapid and effective healing. This article delves into the causes, symptoms, and care for equine wounds.

Causes of Wounds in Horses 

There are various causes by which a horse can sustain wounds. Here are the most common:

• Sharp objects if it concerns a cut wound.
• Blunt trauma causes lacerations.
• Accidents can lead to crush wounds.
• During scuffles among several horses in the field, bite and tear wounds can occur.

If your horse is injured, it’s important to identify and remove any hazards in their environment to prevent further injuries.

Symptoms of Wounds 

While larger injuries are easily noticeable, smaller wounds may be hidden under the horse’s coat and harder to detect, especially under a thick winter coat. Signs that a horse may have a wound include swelling, lameness, or fever. In such cases, a thorough check for wounds is advised as they could be causing these symptoms.

Wound Healing Duration

The healing time for equine wounds varies depending on the depth and severity of the injury.

First Aid for Wounds 

If your horse sustains a superficial wound, it’s advisable to initially treat it yourself. As a first step, use an antiseptic product that disinfects, such as those containing hypochlorous acid, which combines skin-care properties with antiseptic elements.

This initial action is critical because germs and other pathogens are omnipresent. If they enter the fresh wound, they can significantly disrupt the healing process. Always monitor the wound after treatment and keep an eye on its healing progress.

Important: Should there be any doubt or concern over the depth of a wound, it’s imperative to engage a vet’s services promptly for expert treatment. This is particularly true for leg injuries in horses, where seemingly minor cuts can lead to serious complications like cellulitis. A deep wound carries risks beyond superficial damage, potentially endangering the horse’s well-being. Signs such as pus, an unusually bad smell, or swelling necessitate veterinary attention, as does an increased tenderness to touch around the injured spot.

Care for Open Wounds: Open wounds should be rinsed and treated with an antiseptic to prevent infection.

Phases of Wound Healing in Horses

The recovery of a horse’s wound progresses through three distinct stages: the inflammatory phase, the proliferative stage, and the remodeling phase.

Inflammatory phase: During this initial stage, the horse’s body works to eliminate all unwanted elements from the wound, including bacteria, germs, foreign objects, dirt, dead tissue, or clotted blood. The wound may bleed more during this phase or produce a fluid known as exudate, which effectively cleans the wound by flushing out these impurities. While the horse’s body usually manages this process independently, assistance might be needed to facilitate the removal of these secretions if the wound is exceptionally dirty.

Proliferative stage: This stage marks the onset of the healing process, where new granulation tissue forms, allowing the wound to heal from the outside in. You might notice a white border forming around the red wound tissue, indicating the development of new (young) connective tissue that helps close the wound. For minor injuries, a scab often forms as a protective measure. In contrast, larger wounds may develop a protective layer that appears slightly shiny, composed of platelets that speed up regeneration. It’s crucial not to disrupt the healing initiated during this phase.

Remodeling phase: At this stage, the wound starts to close up and develop a solid outer layer. If the wound was previously moist, it typically begins to dry out and become more robust. However, careful attention is still necessary since the new connective tissue remains delicate and not yet able to withstand significant stress. The skin becomes more resilient as it develops multiple layers. Monitoring the wound’s healing progress is vital during this phase and using a wound ointment specifically designed for horses can be beneficial.

When to Stitch a Wound: Large, deep wounds often require stitching by a veterinarian.

Potential Problems in Wound Healing

• Dry and cracked wounds may reopen, posing an infection risk.
• Wounds that do not begin to heal after 6-8 weeks are considered chronic and require specialized care.
• Excessive scar tissue formation can be managed with compression once the wound has closed.
• Excessive granulation tissue may need to be removed through various methods.
• Wounds near joints that are deep pose a risk of joint infection, necessitating immediate veterinary attention.

Conclusion 

Proper wound care in horses involves immediate and appropriate first aid, understanding the healing phases, and taking action against potential complications. Deep or severe wounds necessitate professional veterinary attention to ensure complete and proper healing, preventing long-term health issues.