I think my horse has a sprain. How do I take care of it?

Question

My 3 yr old gelding tried to get through a barbed wire fence a couple of days ago. He is cut up pretty good on all of his legs. I've got him in a catch pen with his running mate so she can keep him company. I noticed yesterday that he was not favoring his back left leg at all. It is swollen, and I'm thinking he may have twisted it when he was trying to get out of the barbed wire. He can't move around a lot, and it is hard for him to turn around and stuff.

I've been treating his cuts with water therapy, an antiseptic spray, and silvidine cream. I am just not sure what to do about the swelling in his leg. I want him to recover so I can let him back out into the pasture.

Answer 1

lock it in a stall even if it is not lame and make sure that he or she has water and food. Then if it is not better in a few days call the vet.

Answer 2

Well, he should at least have a tetanus booster asap.  Anything from strains or torn ligaments, tendon injury, to infection might be involved, or a combination of factors.  This is one for the vet to see.  If the whole leg is swollen, infection is a good possibility.  However, it is likely to be a combination of injuries.

Answer 3

It could be a sprain, it could be infection, it could be a foreign object embedded somewhere it could be a deep cut from the wire, it could be a bunch of things.  Call a vet to have the horse checked over, he needs a shot for tetanus anyway.  Then fix the fence, with something other than barbed wire.  There are so many fencing options out there, and horses being horses are going to get caught up in the barbed wire again, and you may not be so lucky next time with just a few cuts.

Answer 4

try to keep him isolated for a little while until you get the vet to come out. the best thing you can do while you wait for the vet to come out is get a big enough bucket or tub to soak it in - soak it in Epesom salt mixed with warm water- it will definately soothe the pain and make the swelling go down(you can get epesom salt at walmart, walgreens,cvs, and even publix)

Answer 5

Call the vet!! YIKES!! Sounds like your horse did some serious damage to his leg and in the mean time--- get that fencing changed....yeh yeh horses can be kept in barbed wire for years with no injures....Obviously NOT  cuz this is what happens to them!! It is meant for cows...who have tougher skin than horses...OUCH!! Even electric rope fencing will suffice until  you can afford to get boards on post fencing!!  

Answer 6

Give the vet a call, see what they say. In the mean time, to reduce any swelling, run the hose over the swollen parts for 5-15 minutes, then check every 5 to check if the heat has gone down.