Nick that wont heal...

mrussell

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almost 2 months ago I brought in one of our horses from the paddock. He had been running about like a mad man and had got a tiny split on the front of his hind fetlock joint (quite high up, if you can imagine where a brushing boot would sit, it would be right under the front bottom edge of it so not on the joint itself).

The split is smaller than my little finger nail but it bled like a maniac when it first happened. I washed it carefully and it didnt start bleeding again. Infact it didnt swell, get hot, or trouble him in anyway.

However, its never gone away. It has remained a dry scab that once or twice looks like its been bashed again. So weve been turning him out in boots and its been fine.

Last night we were jumping him and got up the yard this morning to see hes knocked the scab and its been bleeding in the night. Hes not at all bothered by it but Im troubled by the fact it wont heal completely.

Any thoughts ? Its quite deep but its now too old to stitch (Im thinking). I assume its reopening because he's a loon and wont stay still long enough to heal it completely.
 
On that sort of cut my old yard owner would make sure it was clean and then fill it with wound powder so it dries out.He would then leave well alone and it would gradually heal.It always seems to work .
This was before we had other lotions and potions etc we can spend a fortune on
However it really depends on how deep the cut etc.
Another thing to try would be manuka honey a lot of people rate that as a natural healer.
Or the old staple - phone your vet for advice !!
 
I would give the old Manuka a chance. I have a lad who can be a pain in the wotsit for healing. He actually has Ketanomas (sp) on the front of the fetlock on his front legs.

Get some Melonin, slap some honey on it and in the wound (if you can), pad out with cotton wool (can be very messy when the honey warms up), put a tubigrip over this lot, tape up and leave for a few days. Providing you can keep it covered and not allow it to get wet, it should be able to work a little magic.

Good luck. Failing that, a vet call.
 
Have you check that its not a puncture wound, i know you`ve said a split but two of my horses have had a puncture wounds and one you couldnt see because it was already inside a nick They`re a pain to heal, my mare ripped her hock to pieces last year , punctures included and also then done foreleg again a few months later, it took around 8 weeks for them to heal.
As mentioned manuka honey is brilliant stuff and works, i put the honey all over the wounded area, poultice pad on top , vet wrap and then tape. It is very very messy and sticky so try and wash of what ever leaks because it turns solid after a few days.
 
Have you check that its not a puncture wound, i know you`ve said a split but two of my horses have had a puncture wounds and one you couldnt see because it was already inside a nick They`re a pain to heal, my mare ripped her hock to pieces last year , punctures included and also then done foreleg again a few months later, it took around 8 weeks for them to heal.
As mentioned manuka honey is brilliant stuff and works, i put the honey all over the wounded area, poultice pad on top , vet wrap and then tape. It is very very messy and sticky so try and wash of what ever leaks because it turns solid after a few days.


hmmm, I suppose I cant fully rule out a puncture wound but would think it wouldnt be so comfy and non-problematic if it has originally been a puncture wound after so long.... we havent done anything with it over the last 2 months other than notice it bleeds on occassion (well, twice actually since it first happened) when the scab comes away. Its never been hot or swollen.... and hes never been sore to the touch.

Ive just ordered some Manuka so will give that a whirl.
 
hmmm, I suppose I cant fully rule out a puncture wound but would think it wouldnt be so comfy and non-problematic if it has originally been a puncture wound after so long.... we havent done anything with it over the last 2 months other than notice it bleeds on occassion (well, twice actually since it first happened) when the scab comes away. Its never been hot or swollen.... and hes never been sore to the touch.

Ive just ordered some Manuka so will give that a whirl.

Have a feel around :) my mares just looked like a normal slice then when i squeezed it you could see the puncture, it didnt bother her, she came galloping over to me the day she done totally oblivious to what she`d done to herself :rolleyes: as they do :D no lameness no heat just lots of flesh :(
If it is a puncture wound it will have healed from the inside first which would explain the length of time...
Good old manuka will do the trick
 
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