Lacerations

Horses are masters at finding sharp objects in their environment. From edges on hay feeders or stall doors, catching a nail from a shoe, running into stationary objects, or being kicked by another horse, lacerations are a common emergency.

Key Points:

• Lacerations can only be sutured if the wound is less than 12 hours old
• Lacerations over or near a joint are always an emergency

Many lacerations can be repaired by your veterinarian in the field. It is important that when you witness a lacerating injury occur, or find a laceration, that you call your veterinarian immediately. Lacerations can only be sutured if the wound is less than 12 hours old. After this time frame, the tissue will be too compromised to properly close with stitches.

The location of a laceration is equally important. If a laceration is located near or over a joint, call your veterinarian immediately. They will help determine if the laceration has gotten into the joint. A laceration that has penetrated a joint is an emergency that requires referral to a hospital to avoid potential joint infections.

When you find a laceration on your horse, there are several things you can do while waiting for your veterinarian to arrive. Avoid applying any topical dressing or product until your veterinarian has seen the injury. Cold hosing the region to clean the wound of debris can be helpful. The best thing to do with a bleeding wound is to apply a pressure bandage with clean gauze, towels or other bandage material, and leave it alone until your veterinarian arrives – avoid the urge to peek under the bandage, as this will disrupt any clotting and prevent the wound from stopping bleeding.

It is recommended that horses that have lacerations receive a tetanus toxoid booster if it has been more than several months since their last tetanus vaccine.