Injury to the horse
Injuries in horses
Many people who own horses have probably already experienced a similar situation: a beautiful spring day, the horse is enjoying its time in the pasture, but then returns to the stable limping on three legs. On closer inspection, you discover an injury. In the next section you will learn how you should act in such a situation.
Assessment of the injuries
The severity of an injury is not necessarily determined by its size. A small but deep wound near a joint can potentially have a greater impact than a large, superficial skin injury. Injuries around joints should therefore be taken particularly seriously, as the risk of infection is particularly high here. There are many causes of injuries: sharp objects in the pasture, kicks from other horses or accidents during training – the possibilities are numerous. The limbs of horses are most frequently affected.
The key questions are:
- Where exactly is the injury?
- How deep is the injury?
- Is bone possibly visible or are there joints nearby?
- Is there bleeding?
- When did you notice the injury and how old could it be?
The upper region of the horse’s limb is well protected by muscle, which reduces the risk of infection of the joint and its accompanying structures. However, injuries to the hoof joint should be taken particularly seriously. If you are unsure whether a joint or synovial structure is involved, you should definitely consult a vet. If the joint is involved, it is necessary to rinse the wound thoroughly to cleanse it of bacteria.
Primary care
It is extremely important to avoid infection of the wound. For this reason, injuries should be thoroughly cleaned and covered. Please refrain from treating the wounds directly with ointments or sprays, as this may make diagnosis more difficult later on. Yellow creams can easily be mistaken for pus, and the well-known blue spray can make the entire wound appear dark. Similarly, the independent administration of painkillers for injuries associated with lameness can interfere with a later examination. If your horse has previously shown lameness, this may no longer be recognizable to the vet due to the analgesic effect of the medication, and a meaningful lameness examination may no longer be possible.
Tips for the stable pharmacy:
- Iodine solution: very suitable for cleaning wounds, does not sting
- Mucous membrane disinfectant: actually intended for use on mucous membranes, also no burning sensation and therefore pleasant to use for the horse
- Dressing material: Swabs, cotton rolls and self-adhesive bandages for the first dressing and thus covering the wound. Please never wrap too tightly, otherwise the blood supply may be impaired. Good padding is very important here.
Call a vet!
Every injury means a break in the skin, which forms a crucial protective barrier against pathogens and prevents them from entering the body. However, this barrier can only be effective as long as it is intact. Even a small portal of entry allows bacteria to take control, which can lead to inflammation. This inflammation can spread to the entire body. To avoid this, it is important that every injury is examined by a vet. This will also ensure that the wound is treated appropriately with medication. The use of antibiotics may be advisable to prevent infection or to treat existing infections.
If the wound is fresh, it can be surgically treated and stitched by a vet, which supports the healing process. If suturing the wound is no longer possible, the body must close the wound itself through secondary wound healing. In some cases, thorough irrigation of the wound is also necessary, especially if the injury is close to joints, to prevent joint infection.
In the event of an injury, please always contact a vet and have the equine passport ready so that the tetanus vaccination can be checked.
Have patience
If the injury is fresh, it can be surgically treated and stitched by a vet, which supports the healing process. If suturing is no longer possible, the body must close the wound itself through secondary wound healing. In some cases, thorough irrigation of the wound is also necessary, especially if the injury is close to joints, to prevent infection of the joint.
If you would like to find out more about this topic or if your horse is affected by an injury, please do not hesitate to call us! We will be happy to provide you with the support and information you need.
