How to care for minor wounds

Most horse owners are comfortable treating minor** scrapes and wounds on our ever-accident prone horses. But the myriad of available topical products can be overwhelming – what is best to use and when?

**As always, if you have ANY concern over the depth of the wound, if it’s a grossly contaminated wound, a wound near a joint, a puncture, or there’s a potential need for sutures, ALWAYS check with your veterinarian BEFORE applying any topical product.**

What is ‘Minor’?

First, let’s review what can be considered a minor scrape or wound. Most superficial wounds over areas of dense muscle (such as side of shoulder) or far from joints/tendon sheath/other sensitive areas (such as scrape over front of cannon bone) and only partially breaking the skin can be doctored at home.

Avoid application of caustic or potentially painful options, such as alcohol and hydrogen peroxide- these can be damaging to exposed tissue. Look for products that contain a list of ingredients- if you don’t know what’s in it, why would you apply it to your horse?

Superficial Wounds

For superficial abrasions and areas that cannot easily be bandaged, a liquid bandage product such as Alushield or Aluspray is a great option. In its aerosol form, it is easy to apply, allows necessary airflow to promote healing, and protects against wound irritants.

bandage on the leg of horse

Bandaged Wounds

For wounds that are protected with a bandage, the ideal topical product depends on the stage of wound healing. Large fresh wounds that tend to leak large amounts of fluid will not benefit from an ointment- they are too wet (and should be evaluated by your vet!) Less exudative bandaged wounds can benefit from topicals such as Neosporin (triple antibiotic), silver sulfadiazine (SSD), or manuka/medical grade honey. All of these options have anti-microbial properties and preserve a moist healing environment while promoting epithelialization of the wound.

Dealing with Granulation (proud flesh)

In later stages of wound healing, horses commonly produce excessive granulation tissue, also known as proud flesh. Proud flesh can be identified by its appearance as lumpy red tissue that may bulge over the margins of the wound and bleeds very easily.

Proud flesh is especially common on slow healing wounds of the lower limbs that require prolonged bandaging. The good news is that while it has impressive blood flow, proud flesh lacks sensation, allowing your veterinarian to debride and flatten this extra tissue if needed. A combination antibiotic and steroid ointment such as Panalog is often used over proud flesh to help smooth out the granulation tissue so that the wound can continue to contract and heal. Once the granulation tissue is flat and healthy, it is not necessary to apply panalog. Some wounds alternate between proud and healthy granulation tissue during the healing process, so we may alternate applications of panalog or manuka honey depending on how the wound looks at each bandage change.

Ensure your first aid kit is well stocked with a thermometer, clean bandaging material, and a few of the topicals previously mentioned. When you discover a wound on your horse, take a minute to assess its location and depth. And if in doubt, a phone call and photo to your vet is always a good idea to determine best treatment and optimum healing.

Preparing for Trail Season

The days are getting longer, the snow on the ground is FINALLY melting off, and spring is in the air… which means trail riding season is just around the corner!

Trail riding is an excellent activity to share with your horse. Whether you are taking a backcountry trip for several days or hauling down to the local open space for an afternoon, proper preparation helps ensure a safe and enjoyable experience!

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare for trail season:

Conditioning

Before embarking on a trail ride, it is important to make sure that your horse is in adequate physical condition. For many of us, winter is a quiet time with minimal riding. We certainly wouldn’t expect ourselves to be able to go from several months off to running a marathon, would we? Make a plan for your summer trips and assess the potential difficulty of your chosen routes. Are you going to be riding the gentle creekside trails at Bear Creek Lake Park, scaling the rocky mountainside at Staunton State Park, or taking off for several days in the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park?

Determine approximate length and difficulty of your desired rides and begin working on a conditioning plan. If you haven’t been working your horse all winter, start with short, light to moderate intensity rides. Start building up time and adding in more technical work. For horses who are intended to be used on mountainous trails, add in exercises designed to strengthen the hind end and stifles – such as hill work, backing, working over ground poles, and cavalettis. Build your horses’ stamina and fitness by increasing the time you spend in a proper trot and balanced lope/canter.

Equipment

For the safety and comfort of both you and your horse, always check your equipment prior to usage. Many horses fluctuate in weight and musculature over the winter, so start by ensuring your saddle fits appropriately and you have a proper pad that will wick away excess moisture and prevent rubbing.

If you are planning on riding rocky terrain, I recommend considering shoes or trail boots. While some horses have hard enough feet and do not require additional support, it is a good idea to have a properly fitting pair of trail boots in case of an emergency or soreness on the trail.

Consider other equipment that you may be using during rides – are you going to be donning a new pair of snazzy saddle bags? Tying a rain slicker to the back of your saddle? Prior to heading down the trail, be sure to expose your horse to all of these things in a comfortable and familiar setting. You do not want to learn that your horse does not tolerate saddle bags moving around on their back when you are trying to enjoy a breezy lope through the open field at Dawson’s Butte!

First Aid Kit

It is important to build a first aid kit to bring with you on rides. Depending on the length of the ride, I generally carry a small, abbreviated kit for the ride itself (generally a few select meds, some bandage material, hoof pick, etc.), and have a more extensive kit back in the trailer. Be sure to have a kit for BOTH your horse and yourself! As always, do not hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian to discuss an appropriate first-aid kit for your horse.

Trailer

If your trailer has been sitting all winter and you plan to haul to various trails, be sure to give it a thorough once-over prior to hitting the road. Be sure to check your floors, bearings, brakes, tires, and electrical. It may also be beneficial to schedule an annual maintenance appointment with your local trailer shop.

Paperwork

While most trail systems do not have specific vaccination or paperwork requirements, whenever you are traveling with your horse, it is important to have appropriate documentation. This may include a current Coggins, health certificate, vaccination record, brand inspection, and microchip information. If you find yourself overnighting somewhere, some places may require one or multiple of the above-mentioned documents, so make sure to confirm any necessary paperwork prior to departing.

**Remember, in the state of Colorado, if you are traveling greater than 75 miles you are required to have a new brand inspection! One way to save money and time is to invest in a “permanent travel card” for your horse. This replaces the need for a new brand inspection every time you travel. In order to obtain a travel card, contact your local brand inspector.**

Water

Trail riding can be thirsty work, so ensure you have access to water for both yourself and your horses. Some trails have hydrants or running water sources, but some don’t. You may need to be prepared to haul in your own water!  Be cautious of shared water sources as these can harbor infectious diseases. Toss a couple of clean buckets into your trailer and reserve them for your horses only.

Make a plan!

Take the time to research your desired destinations before heading out for your ride. Many trails are multi-use, so be prepared to run into bicyclists, hikers, dogs, and other riders. Additionally, be aware of the risks that may arise in each location – such as wildlife in the mountains or snakes in the rocky foothills. Find your trail online or use forums (or friends!) to gather information regarding parking, water, usage, and other amenities.

Whenever possible, find a friend or group to ride with. Let someone reliable know of your riding plans and an expected departure and return time.

If you are traveling outside of the range of your regular veterinarian, make a plan for emergency veterinary care – this may include calling local clinics and finding the closest one that may offer emergency services. Remember – many equine veterinary clinics are very busy right now, and many do not accept non-client emergencies. Some pre-planning may help identify a veterinarian who would be able to help in case of an emergency.

Most importantly, have fun and enjoy time in the great outdoors with your horse! Happy Trails!

Wet Weather Hoof Troubles: Thrush and Abscess

While we are always grateful for precipitation here in Colorado, wet and muddy conditions contribute to the development of two common horse hoof conditions: abscesses and thrush.

Abscesses

A hoof abscess commonly presents as an acute onset severe lameness without obvious signs of injury. Abscesses occur when bacteria is trapped within the foot. Wet conditions can soften the foot, allowing easier access of bacteria. A deep bruise, hot nail, or other foreign body can also lead to abscess formation. Horses with poor hoof quality or white line disease can be more susceptible to abscesses.

Exam findings that help your vet localize the lameness to the foot include an increased digital pulse, localized warmth of the foot, and sensitivity to hoof testers. Radiographs may be recommended to rule out other more serious problems or foreign bodies. In some cases, radiographs may show a tell-tale pocket of gas (infection).

Most abscess resolve in about 7-10 days. The key to improved comfort is drainage of the abscess, resulting in relief of pressure. Care during this time includes application of a poultice to allow drainage while also keeping the foot clean. The most common methods used are a medicated poultice pad (Animalintex) or packing the foot with magnapaste. Both methods help draw out infection and are much easier (and more quickly successful) than soaking your horse’s foot in a bucket of warm water and Epsom salt. A drainage tract is needed for healing, but this tract can potentially allow more bacteria back into the foot, so a proper foot wrap over a poultice pad or magnapaste is essential for cleanliness. Elastikon and duct tape are invaluable for a good foot bandage!

Thrush

Thrush is another common hoof condition linked to wet conditions. You may notice a strong odor when picking your horse’s feet, and wet dark material along the sides and center of the frog. The odor is due to infection with anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that thrive in areas with little to no oxygen). Severe infection can cause sensitivity when using the hoof pick or pressing on infected areas, and sometimes lameness.

Poor hoof conformation and infrequent farrier care can contribute to the development of thrush. Treatment options for thrush include topical drying/antibacterial products (Thrushbuster, dilute betadine, copper sulfate, etc) and farrier work to remove exfoliating frog that may trap additional moisture. A dry environment is also critical.

Observing an acute onset severe lameness in your horse warrants at least a conversation with your vet and most likely an exam. Good management, including a clean dry environment, regular farrier care, and checking/picking out your horse’s feet daily can help minimize his risk of developing a hoof abscess or thrush.

Proud Flesh- What is it and how can you treat it?

As horse people, wounds and wound management are unfortunately a common part of our lives! A common complication of wound healing in the horse is “proud flesh”.

“Proud flesh” is the common term for exuberant granulation tissue that may develop in relation to a wound. Granulation tissue is the body’s natural way of filling in defects left behind after an injury. While granulation tissue is a normal and beneficial part of the wound healing process, if there isn’t appropriate pressure from the surrounding skin or if the wound area is being irritated or stretched during healing, it can overgrow the bounds of the wound. We often see this as pink, lumpy tissue that is elevated from the level of the skin. This makes it very difficult for the skin edges of the wound to contract down and properly close.

So, how do we manage proud flesh? The biggest component of proud flesh management is debridement, or removal of the extra tissue, then placing an adequate bandage. There may be several rounds of debridement and bandaging before the proud flesh contracts enough to let the skin close over it. Keep in mind that since granulation tissue is a part of the healing process, it has a lot of blood flow and bleeds like crazy! But don’t worry, there is very rarely nerve supply in proud flesh, so the horses do not feel a thing. We also have several dressings and materials that we can use to help with the reduction of the proud flesh, such as steroid cream and antimicrobial dressings.

If you are dealing with a wound with proud flesh, it is important to prevent the horse from over using the area where the wound is, which may mean no riding while the wound is healing. Excess motion may lead to irritation, which will lead to more proud flesh.

If a wound is not healing, there are a number of other things that may need to be considered, such as a potential foreign body or metabolic disease in the horse. If there is no progress in the healing of a wound for a couple of months, consider calling your veterinarian to pursue further diagnostics.

Disaster Preparedness: Are you ready?

With the recent fire in Evergreen, residents of the Colorado Front range have received a stark reminder of the reality of living in a fire zone.  Even those residents on the eastern plains of Colorado are under a possible fire threat this time of year.  When you live in an area which is under a fire threat, a disaster/evacuation plan can mean the difference between getting out safely, and not getting out at all.

Disaster plans, including fire evacuation plans, should be well- thought out, and practiced so that they can be smoothly executed under stress and fear of a real disaster.  Here are some thoughts and tips to keep in mind as you create a disaster plan. 

Trailer Loading:  Possibly the single most important aspect to any evacuation plan is trailer loading.  Assure that your horses will load easily and quickly in ANY trailer.  If you have been caught away from home and someone else is evacuating your animals for you, they may not be using your trailer.  If not, will your horse load into a stock trailer? a small dark 2 horse?  Practice is the only way to truly know the answers to these important questions.

Identification:  The ability to identify your horse is extremely important.  They will likely be housed at an evacuation facility with many other animals, and they may have been brought in and checked in by someone other than you or a family member.   Making sure that you have photos of you with your horse, photos of identifying marks, brands, scars or tattoos is extremely helpful in making sure they are identified correctly.  Also, in today’s digital age, be sure to have a photo of brand card, current coggins, and microchip paperwork. ( As a note, you should never keep these papers with your horse as it makes it easy for thieves to “claim” your animals!)   In an emergency, duct tape on their neck, with names and phone number in sharpie works well.  If your horse is being hauled with a halter, dog tags on the halter can help as well.  IF you have to leave your horse behind, NEVER turn them loose while they are wearing a halter!!

First Aid Kit:  Have a basic first aid kit that can be used in emergencies like colic, wound care, hoof/foot injuries in an easily accessible location that you can grab and go!  If you need help with building a first aid kit, please reach out to your veterinarian for advice and proper supplies.  Consult with your veterinarian to include basic medications such as Phenylbutazone (Bute) or Flunixin Meglumine (Banamine) pastes.

Tack:  Plan on which tack you will take in an emergency, including halters, leads and water buckets.  Redundancy may only cause clutter, frustration and confusion in a crisis.  If there is ANY chance that you may trailer horses past fire, do not use nylon tack as it can melt and burn in extreme heat. 

Have Redundant Back Up Plans:  Use the help of neighbors and/or friends to get your horse out in case you are at work, on vacation, or otherwise not around when a fire starts.  Have at least two other people who can come by with a trailer to load and evacuate your horses.  Post detailed instructions in the barn area regarding where everything is so that backup helpers or emergency workers can quickly grab and go!

Feed:  Keep a three-day supply of hay, feed, supplements, and medications ready to go.

Know your boarding stables’ emergency procedures:  Knowing this information will make you an asset during an evacuation procedure, rather than a problem.  

Shelter in Place:  We have all become way too familiar with this term!!!  This is a case where you are not able to get your horses out, and need to have a plan for them to shelter in place.  NEVER leave them in a barn.  They should shelter in a pasture where all vegetation has been removed with at least a 4-day supply of food and water.  All horses should be properly identified and should not wear any halter.   Halters on turned out horses can and do get caught and cause more problems than they solve. 

Wildfires start unexpectedly and can move astonishingly quickly.  The Elephant Butte Fire in Evergreen is a reminder of just how many people can be quickly affected by these catastrophes.  The faster you can get yourself, your family, and your animals out of the way of a fire, the more the fire fighters can focus on the fire instead of worrying over human, animal and live saving issues!

Horse Trailering 101

With summer finally here, I hope more and more clients will be loading up their horses and hitting the road on their next great adventure!  As you’re packing up your trailer here are a few aspects of trailering that might be worth considering to ensure safe and successful transit.

Trailer Maintenance

While your trailer doesn’t need its oil replaced and its wiper blades changed, it does require annual maintenance to insure safe and effective usage.  Every year, ball bearings should be inspected, cleaned and repacked with fresh lubricant.  The brake assemblies should be checked to ensure optimal braking and all exterior lights should be inspected and replaced if necessary to provide ample visibility.  Make sure your trailer breakaway battery is live and holding charge.  Kick those tires a few times.  Are they underinflated? Flat? Cracked or succumbing to dry rot?  Lift the floor mats and inspect the flooring underneath.  Any rotten wood or rusted metal should be replaced to ensure your horse doesn’t fall through the trailer floor.  Check the ceiling for any hornets or wasps who have decided to take up residence in your trailer over the last few months.  All old bedding should be stripped and new applied to prevent excessive dust from circulating while in transit.  Replace old hay with new and if you have a water tank, drain and clean it before adding fresh water for the season. 

Trailer First Aid

When traveling with my horse, I always make sure I have a well-stocked equine first aid kit.  (Do I have a human first aid kit too you ask?  I feel much of my horse’s first aid kit can be utilized for human trauma and there’s always a few Advil floating around the bottom of my purse.  That’ll suffice, right?!).  In an ideal world, your day to day equine first aid kit would be portable and you could just pack it along with your horse.  But, if you are leaving a few equine friends behind, follow this link to learn more about what should be in your equine first aid kit and how to determine if veterinary intervention is required in case of emergency.  https://aaep.org/issue/guidelines-equine-emergencies 

Now that we have equine first aid covered, what about your trailer?  What happens if you get a flat tire?  Do you have the tools to change it?  The two most important pieces of equipment for changing your trailer tire are a Trailer Aid wheel jack (or something comparable but trust me, this product is a lifesaver!) and a 4-way tire iron lug wrench.  There are plenty of good tutorials out there to demonstrate the tie changing process so I won’t go into that here.  Just be sure you pull off the highway as much as possible to change the tire, leave the trailer hooked to the truck and leave the horses on the trailer.  There are a multitude of other complications that can arise while on the road but this is where having reliable roadside assistance will come in handy!

Hauling Safely

Many horseman make the decision to wrap their horses legs while hauling.  There are various makes and models of equine shipping boots that are easy to apply and offer superior protection in the case of an accident.  Regardless of the length of the trip, as a horseman and veterinarian, I would always recommend wrapping your horse’s legs.  You never know when the car behind you won’t be paying attention and may end up rear ending your rig. 

In most situations, the horse’s head should be tied a length that precludes him from moving excessively in the trailer while also enabling him to eat, drink and clear his nose.  If a horse’s head is tied too short and they’re being shipped for long distances, they are deprived of the ability to clear debris from their upper airways through sneezing and coughing.  When this situation arises, equine shipping fever is a common complication of the respiratory tract.  I also recommend horses are tied in a trailer with a breakaway halter in case of trailer accident. 

As for distance, it is ideal to keep daily travel time under eight hours.  If you must exceed this time frame, be sure to offer water to your horse multiple times while on the trip.  It is common for horses to go off water while shipping so I recommend clients feed their horses a soaked diet for two to three days prior to a long trip, during the trip and two to three days after the trip to insure adequate hydration.  Soaked beet pulp, hay products and grain are great sources of feed that can be used to create a mash. Electrolytes in powder or paste form also work to stimulate thirst and facilitate the consumption of water.  Failure to consume adequate water during shipping may result in impaction colic. 

Taking your horse off property should be a fun and exciting adventure.  Preparing for common difficulties while on the road will help to establish confidence in the trailering experience and will set you and your horse up for success in the case of emergency. 

Lacerations- When do you need to call the veterinarian?

 

By Dr. Shane Baird

HorseWoundAs horse injuries go, cuts, scrapes, and bruises of all shapes and sizes are common – the challenge is learning when veterinary intervention is required.

Is There Joint Involvement?

One of the most critical factors for laceration severity is the location of the laceration.  A solid “rule” to keep in mind is that if the wound is over an area that “bends” and appears to be fully through the skin, it justifies at minimum a call, and likely a visit from a veterinarian.  Cuts that seem to be no big deal, but are located directly over a joint, can be disastrous for the horse, while something that looks horrible at first glance but only involves skin and muscle can heal without causing any problems.

The lower limbs of horses don’t have a lot of tissue between the skin and the joints or bones. This “lack of padding” makes it easy for a cut that looks simple to penetrate into the joint.  Joints open to the outside world are open to infections and if infected, can become debilitating for a horse due to the arthritis associated with the process.

Severe Wounds Without Joint Involvement

Severely traumatic wounds, where tissue (skin, muscle) have been damaged or are just missing, can greatly benefit from prompt veterinary attention.  Proper removal of tissue and thorough cleaning of these wounds will speed the healing process significantly.  Though some of the skin may be missing from a wound like this, with some creative suturing, what remains can be used as a natural bandage, even if only temporarily.  At times, if healing is taking a longer than expected, there is justification for skin grafting techniques, even in an ‘in the field’ situation.

Head Woundshorse-943771_1920

Though the head can heal quite well on its own, lacerations to the eyelid region and around the eyes often warrant closer examination.  If your horse has an injury like this and they have no desire for you to even look, much less touch and clean the wound (which a fairly common response!), please call your local veterinarian so that things can be tended to (likely with sedation).  Trying to fight with the horse can quickly lead to other issues or injuries.  With sedation these wounds can be treated without further injury to the horse or any humans.

Tips on Pre-Veterinary Visit Wound Care

bandage on the leg of horse
bandage on the leg of horse

If you do decide that a veterinarian should see the laceration, here are some basic rules to follow:

  • Do NOT wash the wound with the hose. This can force dirt and debris deeper into the wound.  Using a paper towel or gauze with dilute betadine, clean the wound of obvious dirt and debris.  If the wound has potential to get dirty again before the veterinarian arrives, place a light bandage over the wound.
  • If there is a chance that the wound will need suturing or stapling, DO NOT use anything “blue or purple in color.” While efficient at stopping bleeding, these dusts and powders can be very damaging to healthy tissue and create a larger mess than before.
  • If your vet is not going to see the wound, and it doesn’t need a full bandage, a little bit of ointment (triple antibiotic is good) will help to keep the wound clean and moist.
  • If bandaging, make sure there is “padding” between the skin and any “vetwrap” like product.

As always, if there is any question, give your veterinarian a call. After a conversation you can both make a decision of whether your horses’ laceration should be seen or not.