Does your horse have a wound? Then it is important to treat it as quickly and as well as possible. A quick and targeted treatment ensures a finer and faster healing process. We share with you tips on how best to treat your horse’s wound.

What should you do if your horse has a wound?

If you notice that your horse has a wound, there are a few things you should do. It is important to stay calm so you can take care of the horse as best you can. Then follow these steps:

• Check the severity of the wound and try to determine the cause;
• Make sure the horse is stationary and safe;
• Treating a horse’s open wound can be tricky. Clean the wound with clean water or saline solution to remove dirt and debris;
• Is the wound still bleeding? Press a clean gauze or cloth on the wound to stop the bleeding;
• Use an antiseptic spray or ointment to prevent infections;
• Cover the wound with a sterile gauze or bandage. This will keep the wound clean.

It may also be advisable to contact an equine doctor. Does your horse have a wound and is the leg swollen? If so, always call the veterinarian or equine doctor.

What types of wounds can my horse have?

Horses can develop different types of wounds. Each wound has a different cause and often a different treatment need. These are common wounds that horses can have:

• Abrasions;
• Cuts;
• Stab wounds;
• Tear wounds;
• Bruising (wound under the skin);
• Avulsion wounds;
• Bite marks;
• Burns.

How quickly does a wound heal on a horse?

The healing time of a wound in a horse can vary greatly. It depends greatly on the type of wound, location on the body, treatment method, and more. Below are general guidelines for the healing time for different types of wounds.

Abrasions

• Healed usually within 7-14 days.
• Can heal faster if kept properly clean and protected from dirt and infection.

Cuts

• Superficial cuts usually heal within 10-14 days.
• Deeper cuts may take several weeks to a month to heal. This depends on the depth and whether sutures are needed.

Stitches

• Because of the risk of infection, healing may take several weeks. Good cleaning of the wound is crucial.

Tears

• Healing can take 2-4 weeks, depending on the severity, extent and damage to the tissues.
• Sutures may be needed to speed healing.

Bruises

• Healed usually within 1-2 weeks.
• Swelling or bruising often subsides after a few days.

Avulsion wounds

• Healing may take several weeks to months. This depends on the tissue damage and the need for surgery.

Bite marks

• Healing may take several weeks, depending on the depth. Close monitoring for possible infection should be done.

Burns

• The healing time of burns is not easy to determine. It may take several weeks to months.

There are treatment methods you can use to speed up a horse’s wound healing. For example, more and more people are using red light therapy on horses. This is a (complementary) tool that can remedy wounds and other complaints in horses. It is also often used to reduce or prevent inflammation and infection.

8 tips for treating wounds in horses

1. Shoot for help immediately

Horses with a wound should be cared for immediately. If you come to the rescue right away, the wound is less likely to become infected. Rinse the wound clean with water or saline solution and apply pressure to stop the bleeding.

2. Use antiseptics

Apply an antiseptic to the wound to prevent infection. Do not use harsh chemicals. These often actually damage the tissue more.

3. Protect the wound

If the wound does not need immediate suturing, protect it well. Use sterile gauze and bandages to cover the wound. Change the dressing regularly, preferably daily, to promote healing.

4. Limit wound movement

To promote healing, it is important that the wound not get a lot of exercise. Especially if the horse has a wound on the leg or near the joints. So give your horse some extra rest if the wound is in an annoying place.

5. Good nutrition and hydration

Make sure the horse is fed a balanced and nutritious diet. By doing so, you will promote the horse’s immune system and prevent infections or speed up healing. Adequate hydration also contributes to the healing process.

6. Keep an eye on infections

Check the wound daily to keep track of how it is healing. If you notice that the wound is not improving and may be getting worse, it is possible that the wound is infected. Consult an equine veterinarian if you think this is necessary.

7. Use red light therapy

Red light therapy can promote the healing process. This form of light therapy reduces inflammation, improves blood circulation and stimulates cell regeneration. Red light therapy can be used directly on the wound.

8. Consult a veterinarian or equine veterinarian

When in doubt or if a wound is infected, consult the veterinarian. He or she can provide an appropriate method of treatment.

Wounds in horses and low level laser therapy

Low level laser therapy can be a good tool for your horse. It is increasingly used as a (complementary) treatment for wounds in horses. It can offer several benefits in treatment for the wound. Thus, it can provide pain relief, anti-inflammation and promote the healing process. These are some of the ways laser therapy can help your horse:

• Pain relief through the release of endorphins;
• Anti-inflammatory effect;
• Improved blood circulation allowing better supply of nutrients and oxygen;
• Stimulation of cell regeneration, which accelerates the healing process.

Equine laser therapy treatment can also be used as an adjunct to other treatments. In this way, it can provide a faster healing process and pain relief for your beloved pet.

Is there science behind red light therapy?

The use of low level laser therapy, also called red light therapy, is scientifically proven. This therapy uses laser devices with a special frequency of low-level laser light energy. This light creates interactions with the tissues in your body. This reduces pain, swelling, inflammation and various conditions. This therapy can be used in both humans and animals.

What can PowerCure do for your horse?

The PowerCure laser has already helped many horses reduce pain, complaints and conditions. This is also how we have been able to help several horses with injuries.

You can purchase the PowerCure (Pro) laser yourself for home use. Thus, your horse does not have to leave the barn for this treatment. And it’s not just a useful tool for your horse. You can use the laser itself, for virtually any complaint you may have. This makes it a convenient device for everyone in your household!

Want to learn more about the PowerCure (Pro) laser and what it can help your horse with? Then especially take a look here.