Cuts on legs.. bandage or leave to air?

[spotty_pony]

As title. Google seems to have conflicting advice. I have always been of the opinion to keep it clean but leave it to air so it can dry out. Spotty pony was kicked on Friday - to add to his splint he managed to get last week. I have bought him some breathable carbon fibre boots for turnout now to hopefully prevent same thing happening again. I put them on this morning, but when I checked tonight the cut had gone soft again - so I have taken the hind boots off as I figured the would be the less of two evils than risk it getting infected, may have to leave them off until it has scabbed over and healed. What would you guys do? He's on his last chance before I give in and turn him out on his own which will be a shame as he is not being bullied but does instigate a lot of it.

Thoughts please.

 

[LouisCat]

I would leave it with nothing on and let it air for a few days. I'd still leave a hind boot on the other leg though, offers a bit of brushing protection!

 

[spotty_pony]

I've taken both off tonight as was worried about the rule of you should never bandage just one leg but guess it's different with boots, I will put back on tomorrow. Honestly if I could wrap him up in cotton wool I would, they are such a worry! He's almost 22 and I am petrified of anything happening after losing my other boy in February (to Navicular).

 

[maddielove]

If it's gone soft under the boots wound powder if you have, or talc if you don't have, should help dry things up.

 

[rara007]

Totally depends on the wounds. Some wounds need keeping moist (and clean).

 

[pansymouse]

Generally speaking I think it's better to leave it open and let it form a nice scab - it's nature's bandage after all. I do use silver spray on wounds and zap them with my Photizo Vetcare LED machine to support the the healing process.

 

[shortstuff99]

It really does depend on the size of wound, some wounds when exposed to air will grow proud flesh so you have to keep covered for a while. Might be best to show a picture to your vet for advice.

 

[Casey76]

This was about one week into healing (mishap with stock fencing and high tension wire ??) Never bandaged. But he did get propylactic antibiotics. Other than that i just used Aluspray and scrubbed it every couple of days. He was still turned out as normal, to reduce the swelling.

 

[spotty_pony]

This was about one week into healing (mishap with stock fencing and high tension wire ??) Never bandaged. But he did get propylactic antibiotics. Other than that i just used Aluspray and scrubbed it every couple of days. He was still turned out as normal, to reduce the swelling.View attachment 74294

Ouch! That looks painful! Well my boy's isn't as bad as this which is reassuring. He has come in this morning with it having dried out and gone a bit crusty so I will keep an eye on it but fingers crossed it is is starting to scab over. I have been putting silver spray on it.

 

[Casey76]

Ouch! That looks painful! Well my boy's isn't as bad as this which is reassuring. He has come in this morning with it having dried out and gone a bit crusty so I will keep an eye on it but fingers crossed it is is starting to scab over. I have been putting silver spray on it.

‘It did leave a bit of a gnarly scar, but no white hairs. any you could only see it when I clipped his legs out. This was about 6 months later