How to prevent scarring on my horse?

Question

Okay so, while I was on vacation. There was a thunder storm and it was really bad. My horse got spooked and jumped a 5'3" fence and has severe injuries, her knees have deep gashed and she has cuts all over her eyes and her nose. She is hurt really badly. Her legs are all cut up and her back is covered in scratches. How can I prevent these from scarring? Is there a product I can buy? Also any suggestions on how to make her more comfortable because she is on stall rest. She on penicillin but I just want her to be happy and in as little pain as possible. Also are there any home remedies to prevent her wounds from scarring or to lessen the scaring?

Answer 1

As far as I've heard, just put healing cream on them to close them up but I haven't seen anything that prevents scarring. My friend's horse ran into barb wire as a foal and at 3yrs he still had the scars. And he was a show horse. So I'm sure if there was something they would have used it because scars don't look pretty when showing.

I hope she gets better soon!!

x*x

Answer 2

I have heard emu oil rating well for healing, without scaring.

Some years ago my hack did a similar thing. He ended up with a hand size piece with no hair just open wound on the front of his leg (fetlock). Quite some time after the bandages were removed and vet advise followed, it looked horrific. An old time racing family suggested I sprinkle salt on the - still weaping, yucky looking proud flesh/wounds - I did this every day. Seemed to NOT bother my horse much, which surprised me. It healed in nicely and only visable due to a small amount of permanent swelling.

(the racing family told me this would prevent pure scar tissue forming and make the hair grow back - sorry I can't tell you what it would have been like have I not followed this advise. We did once have a baby that did a similar thing to your horse and his legs healed up beautifully without this salt process, but my hack as mentioned above had such a large area with no hair)

Best of luck - ps mine turned into a very careful show jumper!

Answer 3

Here is a pic of a good type of fencing.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesliekay/1...

NOTE a good idea is to have electric wire about half a metre away from the fence on the INSIDE.

Answer 4

Has she seen a vet? they may be able to perscribe something you cant buy over the counter. I did know something that was great for proude flesh, it was just known as Yellow lotion (in australia) i dont think its sold any more tho, but ask a few people, they hay have some left etc. Also Patrolium Jelly (a cheep version of vasileene) is good. You use HEAPS to keep the area moist and when it starts to scab you try and take that off, gently (its something ive never been able to do!lol). Good luck mate! you'll be rite and so will she!

Answer 5

I like nitrofurazone for inducing hair growth to prevent scarring if the wound is dry.  If it is where it gets wet or begins to ooze I use wound powder such as wonderdust.

Answer 6

Copper is good for getting ride of prod-flesh. most wounds heal on there Owen. the only thing she may get is white hair where the hair is dead. most things you just keep clean as for her pain you are doing all you can for her and keeping her worm with plenty of treats will help. I have a mare who badly heart her self and starching her feed across the day has carm her down and removing the scab to help it heal.

Answer 7

If large areas of skin tissue were scraped off, or the wounds are gaping, the only way for them to heal is to fill in with granulation tissue, which will become scars.  The scars will shrink over time, but not disappear.  Right now, preventing infection is the most important thing to worry about.

You should discuss this concern with your vet to see what may be done to reduce scarring.

Answer 8

I use Derma Gel. I originally got it from my vet, but here is the link to buy it from Valley vet - http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?...

It's a bit expensive (around 20 dollars), but works very, very well! I highly recommend it. You need to start putting it on after the wounds have started to heal up and are no longer deep, open wounds - probably about the time your horse is ready to come off her antibiotics.