THE HORSE GAZETTE horse health


a horse of course OUCH! By Don Blazer © 2013 Every time you turn


around your horse has another cut, scrape, bump, lump, slash or puncture. And you can be sure


the new boo boo occurred moments before the show class, the race, the event or the pleasure trail ride. Sometimes the disaster


needs a little loving care. Sometimes it needs some professional medical treatment. It always needs a little attention.


The first rule of first-aid


for horses is to treat the injury as soon as it is discovered. The first treatment may be minor, such as rinsing off with cool clear water.


In any case, make sure your first treatment will


be beneficial to further treatment and healing.


Don’t take action


without thought. Putting the wrong medication of a wound may cause complications. If you are not sure about the medication, don’t apply it. And if the medication is a salve be sure it a water soluble salve that can be removed easily.


Using a time frame is


probably the best way to determine whether or not you have an injury which simply needs minor care, needs emergency first-aid or needs professional medical attention. If your horse has a


bleeding wound, the question is one of survival. A horse can lose a lot


of blood, but not for long. A slow


dripping or running of blood which lasts less than 10 minutes is not too serious. A heavy flow of blood which last longer than 10 minutes is very serious, and is an emergency. Wounds without a lot of


bleeding may be emergencies if you think they need suturing.


To delay


getting a wound stitched may result in contamination causing further complications. Leg wounds often fit into this category. Wounds on the face and body may also need suturing. Have your veterinarian take a look as soon as possible.


All other wounds,


scrapes, lumps or bumps are probably not emergencies, and will fall into


the “loving care” or “professional attention” categories. A horse which scrapes


the hide off a spot or two, or has a shallow cut which is not too long, generally just needs “your loving care.”


Major blows to the


horse’s body are often candidates for “professional attention”. A horse that falls, runs into a fence or kicks a solid object and then shows some signs of lameness or an inability to move normally should be seen by a vet. If the injury falls into


the “needs first-aid” emergency category, you need to take two actions immediately: call your veterinarian and apply the initial treatment while


waiting for assistance. In applying the initial


treatment you must do a combination of three or four things: 1. Free the injured area


of contamination as best you can. This usually means running cold, clear water on the wound. If running water is unavailable, get a bucket or pan of water and sponge the wound. If you can’t do either of


those, don’t mess it! 2. Continue to run water


on the wound to keep it clean and keep the swelling down. If you can do that, don’t mess with it! 3. If the wound is


bleeding, you may apply a compress of direct pressure. A compress should


be bulky and can be made of clean towels. Emphasis is on “pressure” and “clean”.


4. Determine the status


of your horse’s tetanus immunization. Your veterinarian will want to know. It is a wise horseman who


keeps the rules of first aid treatment in mind.


There is a final rule


(don’t ever forget it) if I’m around to help with a bleeding nasty looking wound.


If I faint, everyone call


everyone! It’s an emergency. Visit A Horse, Of Course


on the Internet at www.donblazer. com.


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