Equine Medicine: Dealing with Injuries Horses, like humans, can have accidents and suffer periods of illness. We, as their guardians, must learn to recognize and deal with these events. The following is merely a brief guide for dealing with the most common problems seen in equine medicine and is by no means exhaustive. Specific advice should always be sought if you find yourself in the unfortunate position of having to cope with a sick or injured horse. Sponsored Links Horse Care Find, Compare and Buy Personal Care. Save from 1000's of Stores. www.Shopping.com/personalcare Horse Care Shop and save on Personal Care. Compare products, prices & stores. www.Dealtime.com/personalcare Horse Care Products Horse care products - Thousands Of Brands, Hundreds Of Stores, The Convenience Of OneCart™. www.shop.com   Treating Wounds Standard wound treatment stops the blood flow by applying pressure or holding the fleshy sides together. The course of action that you take, however, depends largely on the nature of the wound. For minor flesh wounds, clean the wound with running water and in the case of swelling around the wound, run cold water over the area several times a day to reduce swelling. Apply a prescribed antibiotic powder or spray. If blood is spurting, apply pressure and seek veterinary attention. If the wound is large and requires stitching, or the bleeding proves impossible to stem, contact a veterinarian immediately. Caring for Colic Colic, although much-feared, is a relatively common digestive problem encountered in equine medicine. It is similar to severe stomach pains and often results from sudden changes in the horse's diet. Symptoms generally include a display of uneasiness, kicking, looking at flanks, sweating and thrashing out. Colicky horses should be given a deep bed and kept warm. It is also advisable to walk the horse gently. If symptoms appear to be extreme or persist for more than half an hour, prompt veterinary attention should be sought. Horse Lameness The treatment of lameness is very much dependent on the site of the problem. To determine this, look at the movement of the horse at both a walk and trot and examine the legs for swelling and heat. If an injury is visible, treat it with cold water or ice packs to reduce the swelling, or if the injury is located in the foot, a hot tub soak may be appropriate. This involves placing the affected foot in a bucket full of warm water and Epsom salts for about 20 minutes. If lameness is severe or persistent, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian. For more information about horse lameness visit Leg Injuries in Horses. Equine First Aid Kit Always have a first aid kit at hand. Put your vet's contact details clearly on the outside of the first aid kit. It may also be advisable to make a list of all allergies or conditions to which your horse is prone. Always display this information in a You know your horse best If you have any doubt about your horse's health, contact your vet for reassurance. prominent position on your horse's stall or pin them up in an accessible position in the tack room. This is simply a precautionary measure. Remember, you may not be the only person to discover that your horse has been injured and requires attention. A standard first aid kit should include ? a thermometer ? scissors ? surgical tape ? cotton wool ? veterinary wrap (elasticized, self adhering bandage for enclosing cotton wool) ? petroleum jelly ? zinc cream ? wound powder ? antiseptic cream ? poultice ? Epsom salts ? disinfectant ? ice packs ? louse powder ? fly repellent. Back to Health. Horse Care Horse Health: The essentials of horse health care and common medical issues.    Dealing with Injuries Equine Nutrition: The influencing factors and horse feed types. Housing: Horse barns or pastures, the key is safety and comfort. Tack & Equipment: From horse tack to rider apparel, here are the basics. Other Horse Care Sites Hoof it Equine Cold Therapy Leg Injuries in Horses Horse Centric Choosing a Horse Horse Behavior Grooming a Horse Equine Breeds Pet Harmony Pet Insurance Locate A Vet Treating Horse Lameness Cold therapy for leg injuries is a snap with First+Ice, a leg wrap into which special reusable ice packs are inserted?when injuries call for heat, just place the packs into the microwave! Some injuries require massage to encourage healing.