Heal Shield’s Guide to Wound Care
It’s always a stressful time when your horse gets a wound. Remember stay calm, clean the wound, use a compression bandage when appropriate, and call the vet.
General Wound Care
Wash the wound thoroughly with cold water. This will also help reduce any swelling. Mild antiseptic solutions such as Hibiscrub, Chlorhexidine, Betadine scrub are often used to clean the wound edges, but not deep wounds. Copious lavage or irrigation of the wound will wash away visible and microscopic debris and organisms. The best solution for irrigation is sterile saline with or without dilute antiseptics.
Leg wounds: Compression bandage: nonstick dressing, standing wrap or gamgee wrap, vet wrap and/or standing wrap, (polo or track bandage for temporary use) Avoid uneven pressure on soft tissue of legs.
Leg wounds that do not require a compression bandage: wash and dry as above, apply wound powder such as Equifit AgSilver or Coat Defense powder or Alushield for barrier and antimicrobial protection. Use our Fly-Go boot to prevent flies congregating on wound.
Other areas not able to be bandaged: antiseptic wash, cold hose, apply pressure if bleeding, superficial wounds cover with triple antibiotic, Alusheild or wound powder. Larger wounds, wounds overlying joints, puncture wounds or wounds that keep bleeding should be evaluated by your vet as soon as possible.
Hoof: hoof pick, betadine scrub, animal lintex pad for open wounds or Magna paste for abscess/bruised foot, sheet cotton or diaper to cover foot, vet-wrap to keep bandage in place, duct tape or hoof pads to strengthen bandage over sole. Avoid pressure over coronet band.
Eye: sterile saline to flush **all eye traumas should be evaluated by your veterinarian.
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DISCLAIMER:
This information is designed for educational purposes only and is not provided as a professional service or medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your veterinarian or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. Heal Shield, LLC and associates shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.
