Incised wound not healing

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Bubblebutt

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My horse got a cut in the field this day last week, it was a clean slice on the back of the hind leg just above the fetlock joint. A stitchable wound but with the location it can't be stitched. I poulticed for three days (nothing came out, it's a very clean cut/flap) and then applied noroclox (dry cow tube) with menolin pads after that. There was a bit of swelling at the start but subsided after a few days. He is weight barring. Changing the bandage today, the cut still looks very clean but it is not nutting/healing? Any ideas? I'd be very greatful :-)
 
Have you got any pictures?

Is the wound across the leg or vertical? My horse had a vertical cut clean slice from just below hock to just above fetlock. However it was stitched. If it's a horizontal cut it may be the lower section isn't able to knit back into the top part due to gravity. It's a prime spot for proud flesh too. Look up equiade - amazing wound care product for nearly anything!
 
Firstly it's not an incised wound. Was it a wet or dry poultice? Poulticing is not ideal for limb wounds and can inhibit healing. Also Noroclox or any other cow tube are not really suitable for use on skin wounds. Also 6 days is about as quick as any granulation tissue would become evident. For a full skin thickness wound that is unsutured and clean contaminated (at best) I would not expect much obvious contraction/ granulation for 7 and possibly even 10 days if in an area of high motion. 3-6 weeks would be the anticipated healing time for a wound such as the one you describe. Perhaps try medical grade Manuka honey on your mellolin and a medium support dressing. If there is any swelling/inflammation then anti biotics may be indicated.
 
I've never used it personally but a couple of my friends swear by manuka honey. One of them recently posted facebook piccies of her mare with a horrendous open wound on her hock - 3 weeks later it was gone!!
 
I'd stop bandaging, at this time of year I'd stable to encourage drying and apply some old fashioned wound powder for a couple of days.
 
It is a horizontal cut, I have pics but don't know how to upload them off a phone? He has been stabled all of the time, barley leaving it as too much movement will be bad. For the past few days iv been just putting a dry pad and bandage on it but still no different. With the Manuka honey do you have to heat it to apply it? Isn't it usually quiet firm?
 
Wounds need a certain element of moisture to heal so perhaps it's too dry. However it's a delicate balance as granulation takes time and in horses slow healing in wounds below knee/hock isn't a bad thing as they have little/no tissue in this area. Slow healing minimises proud flesh. As it's a horizontal cut the flaps may be just dying off. In which case I'd still wrap it and use a small smear of honey. You really don't want to use too much. It is very sticky so heating gently can help, you could just smear some onto wound pad and reapply your bandage. Change every other day. And I would walk your horse out as if not it might just break down when he does start moving.

However please take this advice with a pinch of salt as I have not seen your horses leg. Call the vet if you are concerned and work with them, nothing anyone can say on here would be as helpful as eyes on the ground.
 
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