Injury of the Week #2 - Leg Laceration

[Sonseeahray's_girl]

Okay, sorry this is more like "injury of the month" (what can I say, it's spring, and I'm outside more than in! ) But anyways...

Here's a story shared by Jen21:

What was the age/breed/sex/general health condition of the affected horse?

2 year old Quater Horse filly. Very good health.

How and/or when was the issue first discovered?
My husband noticed the blood when he was doing chores the morning of the accident.

Do you know how the injury or illness was caused?

No, we to this day, don't know what happened or how it happened.

What were your first actions?

Blaine called me at work. I immediately knew something was very wrong. It was in his voice. I got really scared, jumped in the truck and headed home.

Did you call the vet at first, or at any point during the treatment period?

I talked to the vet on my way home and had everything set up for him to see Holly at the clinic. Ten days after the injury he saw her again.

What treatment advice was given by the vet, if called, along with prescribed medications?

He stitched up her leg (at least where the flesh was still there), wrapped it, gave her antibiotics, tetanus, and sent home more meds.


What advice was given by others observing?

I got wonderful advice from many HT members. It really helped me get through the ordeal. There are too many of you to name, but guys know who you are.

Most of the advice I received was what kinds of wound care products to use.

What course of action did you take in treating the injury/illness?

I followed my vet's advice for the first week. Leave the bandage on and do not bother. It seemed to backfire a bit, so we took her back to the vet at the 10 day mark. After the first 10 days, I changed her bandage and cold hosed daily.

I started with betadine solution and sugar for the first 3 days. (I didn't have any of the suggested meds on hand.)

After that I used the Eclipse wound wash and cream. I only ordered one tube, and it lasted less than a week. I switched to plain 'ol triple antibiotic cream from Wally World for the next week (still hosing and re-bandaging daily).

This puts us at the one month after injury mark. I was seeing much improvement. The wound bed has completely filled in without proud flesh. We decide to not bandage anymore. I alternated between Underwoods and Fura-Free for the next two weeks. Today I am using a lanolin and aloe based udder cream to keep the area supple and to hopefully get hair growing back.

What setbacks, if any, did you experience?

Holly reopened the wound at about the 2 week mark.

What is the final outcome?

She has a scar, but all in all, I am very happy. She is totally sound and making great strides to be a great little cutting filly.

Day 1 at the clinic




When the bandage came off




At 2 weeks





3 weeks




One month



What it looks like as of April 9...
She's getting some hair growth finally and the area seems to be getting smaller. You can see from this picture that she already had some scarring on her legs. I was told by her previous owner that she ran through a fence when she was a yearling, but the cuts were not treated. Poor girl...



And here's a full body shot of her, since all the others showed just her leg!



Thanks to Jen for sharing all this with us, and for the excellent pictures taken!

If you'd like your horse's story to be featured, please PM me all the details, following the above format, along with any and all pictures you can provide of the injury and the different stages of recovery.