| Anyone who cares for horses will, at some point, have | | | | small cut can be treated by you, gently remove any |
| to care for a horse with a cut or wound. Large cuts | | | | dirt by flushing with saline solution, disinfect the area |
| and lacerations should be seen by the vet, and if you | | | | then, if necessary, dress with the most suitable |
| are unsure of its severity it is better to be safe than | | | | bandage or dressing. |
| sorry. It is not uncommon for horses to graze | | | | Puncture wounds are more serious, size, location; |
| themselves for time to time and it is important to be | | | | depth and origin are all factors that affect the severity. |
| able to provide your horse with the first aid it needs, | | | | Use your common sense in these situations; punctures |
| whether treating it yourself or waiting for the vet to | | | | to the chest or belly for example are likely to be more |
| arrive. Sterile saline solution is best for cleaning open, | | | | severe that punctures to fleshy muscular areas. Vets |
| clean cuts or wounds, if there is none of this available | | | | should be called immediately should you fear the horse |
| the hose can be used to trickle water from above the | | | | has a severe puncture wound, or if any debris is still |
| wound (not directly on the wound in case the water | | | | stuck in the wound. Less deep, clean puncture wounds |
| pressure deepens any debris into the cut). The aim is | | | | can be treated and dressed by you. After bleeding |
| to rid the wound of any bacteria before a dressing is | | | | has been stemmed, usually with the use of a sterile |
| applied. Assess the situation quickly and thoroughly | | | | pad or clean cloth, the wound should be flushed out |
| before any action is taken, is there any dirt in the | | | | using saline then, depending on the area; the most |
| wound? Are there any punctures, lacerations or | | | | suitable dressing can be applied using a poiltice |
| broken bones? Is it near a joint? If the wound is small | | | | dressing to assist in the drawing out of any foreign |
| and no other problems are present an abrasion or | | | | bodies. |