My horse has a small cut on his heel that won't heal?

Question

I'm working with a horse right now who got a cut on his front right heel and because of it's location it's very difficut to keep a bandage on it. It's not too deep, but deep enough for dirt and stuff to get stuck in it and irritate it. I have been cleaning it out and dienfecting it daily, but it doesn't seem to want to heal. It's not really getting any better either. What else should I try?

The cut is not affecting his soundness.

I'm also not scrubbing it very hard- just enough to get the mud and dirt out of it so it doesn't get infected.

The cut is not scratches, although he does have scratches in addition to the cut. I was bringing him down to the wash stall to clean up his scratches he was was being a bit of a dork and didn't want to go it and obtained to cut most likely by stepping on his heel with a hind foot when he decided that trying to drag me back with him was a good idea, or it's possible he might have caught it on the edge of our crain cart in the scuffle. I left it alone for a day to see what would happen and it looks a little better but it's still open.

Answer 1

If it's on the top of the bulb of the heal, your horse most likely caught himself overreaching. Bell boots or 'overreach boots) will help protect the area a bit.

Shave the surrounding area with #40 blades. Clean the area & dry thoroughly. Then apply the new 'paint on' bandaids... I think one's called Nu Skin, or something similar. It's for human use and you can purchase it through any pharmacy like CVS. It'll form a protective shield over the wound until the skin starts to close in.

Or, you could try some type of drying agent like Wonder Blue or spray Furazone.

What you want to avoid is any granulation (proud flesh). If this keeps up over 2 weeks I might call a vet out. Perhaps there's something stuck *in* the wound you can't see preventing it from healing.

And, so long as your horse is sound I see no reason to stop working him.

Answer 2

If you want to keep a bandage on it try getting a stocking sock. Its not a sock. It's like a mesh net that just holds bandages in place. It will protect the bandage. You should probably keep cleaning. What kind of ointment are you putting on the cut? Is this cut causing lameness? Is it getting any worse? I the last to questions are yes I think it's time to call a vet. I know they are expensive but you only want the best for your horse.

Answer 3

You might be over-cleaning it. If you're scrubbing it vigorously and using a strong disinfectant, it's possible you are killing off the granulation tissue as it forms. If you can, keep a loose wrap on it, taped really well to the fur above and below the joint-something like a sock with the toe cut off, to keep dirt out, and just use warm water and gentle wiping with a soft cloth to clean it, keep Neosporin on it. If that doesn't do, then it's time to see the vet.

Answer 4

Sounds like a common bacterial infection called "scratches". Like you said, this is just an area that collects dirt and stays wet, especially in Winter. Call your vet clinic. She will not need to see the horse, but will prescribe a shampoo. It sounds like you've tried everything else. This condition is not serious, but will not go away with regular cleaning.
YOU HAVE TO GET RID OF THE SCRATCHES OR THE CUT WON'T HEAL.

Answer 5

You need to probably not work him till it heals because its keeping it irritated --clean it out and use a salve such as bag balm or other antiseptic ointment on it and change it daily --you can use vet wrap to bandage it --it sticks to itself --also don't use peroxide on it due to the fact that it is good for first cleanings but not for after that--use beta dine surgical scrub to clean it --make sure you follow the instructions tho--there are allot of good products out there such as cut heal it works well

Answer 6

Have you considered getting an eazy boot to keep on it to keep it clean? I know they have them at petsmart.