Horses, perhaps because they are so large and flighty, are very accident-prone. Therefore, it's a good idea for every horse owner to know how to treat wounds. Even the smallest injury should never be ignored lest it become infected and develop into a severe problem.

How to Treat a Wound

1. Using a cotton pad saturated with clean, slightly salted water, gently clean the wound. First let the water drip onto it, and then swab it, with a fresh cotton pad for each wipe. Some careful hosing can also help to reduce bruising and swelling.

2. Apply wound powder or spray with antibiotic wound spray. If the cut is tiny, don't worry about covering it, but remember to clean it regularly until it completely heals.

3. Bandage the larger wounds if they are located somewhere you can bandage, like the lower leg. Do not try to bandage other parts of the body. Simply keep the scrapes as clean as possible.

4. For deep wounds or those more than 3/4 of an inch (2 cm) long, clean it as best you can before calling the vet. This kind of wound may require stitches or antibiotics.

5. To impede bleeding, apply pressure to the wound with a clean gauze pad. If bleeding continues, apply a pad and a bandage, then call the vet immediately.

Puncture Wounds

Puncture wounds can be very dangerous as they are hard to locate, and dirt or germs are easily trapped inside. If your horse steps on something sharp like a nail, he will be very lame, and if infected, his foot will be hot and sore. If this happens:

1. Immediately call your vet or farrier. He or she will find the puncture and pare away some sole to release any infection building up inside.

2. Boil some water and allow it to cool to body temperature.

3. Cut your poultice to the right size ... big enough to cover the entire area.

4. Put it on the foot (or other area) with the sticky side down.

5. Cover the entire foot with a plastic bag, plastic wrap, or an equiboot.

6. Bandage the plastic or equiboot securely. Then place it in another bag and secure it with a bandage. Remember that poultices must be changed twice a day. Use them for at least two days after your pony has healed and there is no more discharge.

Types of Wounds

Tear, such as on barbed wire.

Lacerated, straightforward cut, such as on plain wire.

Puncture, when the skin is pierced, such as stepping on a nail.

Sores, caused by rubbing or chafing.

Bruising, where the skin is not broken, but there is bleeding and swelling underneath.

— AE