Horse injury...help!?

[heather]

My horse was out playing and caught the back of his front heel with his hind foot. He tore a chunk of skin loose about an inch long. I can tell how deep it is because he has feathering and I don't want to hurt him more by pulling it back. I rinsed it and put some antiseptic goo on it and then wrapped it with vet wrap. Is there anything else I should do or do I need to call a vet? He doesn't even seem to mind it and he walks/trots on it like it's not there. He didn't even mind when I was cleaning and dressing it. Any suggestions?
Due to knee deep snow, he hasn't been in the pasture in the last couple of weeks. I know when he did it though. I turned him loose in the indoor arena and he stumbled (big, clumsy three year old)

[Val]

He should be fine - I would clip around the area though. It will keep it cleaner and you can see it better in case it gets worse. Ride & turnout with bell boots for a few days so he doesn't re-open the wound.

[casper]

you should definetly call a vet jus tto make sure it dosent get infected and dont ride him walk him around the indoor ring on a lead rope for a cople of weeks

[Katie]

Has he severed the coronary band? Ie is it full thickness to the tissue below the horn of the heel? If so then this needs to be seen by your vet ASAP. If the wound is full thickness through the skin then you must also contact your vet ASAP as there is a tendon sheath in this location and if the wound has penetrated this it needs to be dealt with very quickly (this is unlikely if he is sound 12 hours after injury and hasn't had any pain relief ie bute, devils claw, danilon etc).

The coronary band has a layer called the periople in it from which the hoof horn grows. If there is a disruption in the periople the hoof cannot grow correctly, and if the damage is permanent then you will also have a permanently deformed foot. This is not so critical at the heel; if it happens to the front of the foot then it needs casting promptly. However, some heel injuries also need casting so an injury like this needs a professional opinion, even if he isn't lame.

If the wound is between the heel bulbs or just above the heels, not into the coronary band and very superficial then flushing with VERY dilute iodine solution twice a day followed by weak salt water or saline wound flush will help to keep it clean and also promote healthy granulation tissue. Ideally you would do this with a syringe (pref 20ml). If you don't have one then just pour the iodine soln on. If there is any swelling that persists for more than 24 hours or worsens then you must contact your vet. It is advisable to keep the wound dressed for now.

Good luck!

[t_chaperone]

Check it at least twice a day for the next few days,if you seeANY thing that looks like puss , if it starts to smell strange( sour) if it continues to bleed call a vet. If you ahve a thermometer you could also take his temp. Fever is a sign of infection, but if it's clean and you keep it clean he should heal no prob if he's not favouring it. They often look far worse than they are. Use lots of water when cleaning it and continue the antiseptic. You're sure he didn't catch it on loose wire or something? Check the paddock just to be sure.