Stumps has a hock injury :(

[chickflick1066]

Feel gutted. Stumpy has sustained her first injury since I've owned her (15 months) and I've never had to deal with an injury so I'm panicking slightly here

Ok, Stumpy kicked a gelding today whilst I was riding her who then retaliated and gave her a responding kick. There was squeals and then Stumps was lifting her right hind leg. I got off to check and she had a lovely bloody gash. I got a horsey lady to check it and it was safer for me to ride her home then lead so I got back on.

She's been trotted up and is as sound as a pound. But I was just wondering how you'd deal with a injury just inside of the hock.

Thanks

[JoM]

Personally, I would hibiscrub it (morning and evening) and put a thin layer of skin cream (I use effol skin cream but there are many about) to stop the flies pestering and leave it to its own devices!

It will heal quicker left open

[akehurstannabel]

If it's over a joint I'd have the vet just in case.

[Debbie]

Same here....cold hose it to wash off the worst, and then use Swat (an injury ointment that keeps the flies off). For me past the initial washing, I'd leave it alone, as if you keep scrubbing and scrubbing, it keeps the wound from healing.

Main thing is to try to keep it as clean and fly free as possible to speed the healing....Like Jo, I'd be keeping it open too as it doesn't sound too deep.

[SuzieP]

Good advice here - all you need to do is keep it clean and fly-free whilst it's open, Stumps will do the rest..... If you use hibiscrub make sure you dilute it lots - it's powerful stuff. Cold hosing will help with any bruising that might develop.

[loopylou]

Lots of good advice and i would have said the same as the other guys, so i am not going to repeat what they have already said.
Vasilin (small amount to help the wound powder to stay on) and wound powder is great for keeping the flies of a wound. The wound powder will also help it to dry up a little quicker, once it has dried up then the flies want be as keen on the cut.
I do hope Stumpy is over his little accident very soon and don't worry to much (i know easy said than done). Sending you both a hug.

[khristyne]

I would call the vet if a cut is over the joint, but if she is sound, then the others are giving sound advice. hope all goes well.

[jay]

Poor Stumpy! Jay had a gash on the inside of his back leg last summer, luckily not near a joint though. I cleaned it 2 x daily with dilute hibiscrub and used a gel called 'intrasite gel'. I also used plenty of fly spray on the leg around the wound (just sheilding the wound whilst i sprayed). It healed up really quickly. Once a good scab started to form i stopped cleaning the wound itself, just around it, because I found that it would take some of the scab off.

[debbiec]

If you're worried then call the vet. You can see it, we can't. Your vet may not think it's worth coming out, but I know they can give you a really good cream, which I forgotten the name of (begins with a D) which will help reduce the scaring.

[merlinalison]

Dermobion? Think its been withdrawn but may well be wrong... I tend to use wound gel like Intrasite initially and then once its healing over Lincolns Antiseptic fly repellent green gel to keep the flies off. Very superficial cuts and scrapes just get the Lincolns once its clean. Personally I don't like wound powder because of the risk that it might dry the wound up too quickly with an infection underneath (at least that is what I was told).

[akehurstannabel]

Yes Dermobion has been withdrawn, you are right. Jo x

[admin]

I agree with everything that's been said. Cold hosing to clean off, then twice a day (20mins of slow running (really important!!) cold water) for 4 or 5 days to limit any swelling. I don't use anything on cuts unless the flies are a real problem as I like to leave wounds open to heal naturally. Obviously that doesn't apply to major wounds which need vet attention.

Good luck - and scritches to Stumps from me - I hope she feels better soon (and learns not to kick other horses too!).

Olivia

[debbiec]

Oh wow I didn't know it had been withdrawn. It did a great job on my horses leg. Was there a problem with it? I only had it 3 years ago...am I getting old?

[merlinalison]

I think it was something to do with clamping down on steroids but really can't remember.

Forgot to say earlier - hope Stumps is feeling better soon.