over reach injury

[fairhill]

My mare over-reached last night, and it's the first time I've had to deal with an injury like this. She's sliced the top of her heel, so I've poulticed it and bandaged, and will probably do the same again tonight.
Has anyone got any tips for next steps?
Do I purple spray and leave it open to the air, or keep it covered to help it knit together?
I've now got some overreach boots on order from Premier equine

 

[Tempi]

how bad is it? if its just a small slice i personally would leave it open to the air and not bandage at all - thats my personal preference, im sure others would do it differently tho.

Id also put aloe vera gel on it as it helps to promote healing quicker and prevents scaring. (id also cold hose it morning and evening before putting the gel on) - but agin it depends how bad it is.

Poultising is mainly for absesses and for drawing 'gunk' out - if its just an over reach injury you shouldnt really need to poultice it.

 

[fairhill]

It's about 3 inches across, and right where the heel and hoof join, if that makes sense. She was very lame after doing it, and it was in a sand school, so I cold hosed it straightaway, and wanted to make sure it was really clean.
Good idea with the aloe I've got a plant at home, so will use that once it's started healing a bit, I'm just worried as there was a lot of blood yesterday.

 

[brightmount]

Tricky to keep an injury clean when it's that close to the ground. I may be over cautious, but if it was my horse I would keep it bandaged with an absorbent pad like melolin in contact with the wound, which I would change twice a day, and keep the neddy in for a few days at least. Once it looks like it's healing I would probably remove the dressing but keep the horse on a scrupulously clean bed. I don't think I'd be turning out for a week. Other people might do things differently, but I prefer to be safe than sorry.

 

[fairhill]

Thanks for the advice - I'll be toddling off to Boots at lunch for some melolin. I'd forgotten I could use that - I have got gamgee, but I worry about that sticking to the injury.
I warned her last night that she'd probably be on box rest for quite some time - the field is very muddy already. I don't think she'll mind too much as long as she can munch on her hay.

 

[icestationzebra]

Mine did this last week - exactly as you describe where the heel meets the hoof. I washed it twice a day with Hibiscrub and hot water and put antibac cream on it. Watched it like a hawk for 2 days to ensure there was no heat or pain. I never covered it as I think these things are better with the air to them. It is healing nicely and she only had 2 days of work. Still making sure it is clean but putting nothing on it - oh, except the overeach boots she pulls off with her teeth!

 

[Peanot]

I`d be inclined to agree with ISZ as my horse has had a couple of these but not as bad as yours. I just clean them up, put some sudocrem on them which aids healing and keeps the dirt out, and leave it open to heal. I put quite a bit of cream on before they go out and again when they come in.
If you cover it up, you have the risk of it going all soft and sqidgy with the cream or whatever you are going to put on it, and it is in a funny soft area.
They usually take a couple of days to start looking as if they are sticking back together again. If you feel better about keeping your horse in for a couple of days, and it looks sore and it is wet and muddy where you are, then I would suggest a couple of days in will make a lot of difference. Good Luck.