Why is my horse's wound raised, raw, and not scabbing over?
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Overview
If your horse's wound is raised, raw and not scabbing over, proud flesh is a common reason, especially on lower limb wounds. It usually means the healing tissue has grown a bit too much and is sitting proud of the skin edge, which can stop the wound from closing neatly. There can be other reasons too, so it's worth keeping a close eye on how it looks and behaves.
Things To Check
1. Check where the wound is, as wounds on the lower legs are more prone to proud flesh than those on the body.
2. Look at whether the wound is raised above the skin edge, red, moist or granular in appearance.
3. Note whether there is discharge, a bad smell, increased heat or swelling around the area.
4. Check if the horse is sore when the area is touched or if they're reluctant to move normally.
5. See whether the wound is being rubbed, knocked, contaminated by mud or getting wet repeatedly.
6. Make a note of how long it has been since the injury happened and whether it seems smaller, larger or unchanged.
7. Look for signs of bandage irritation, if the wound has been dressed, including slipping, tightness or wetness underneath.
Common Causes
The most common cause is proud flesh, also called excess granulation tissue. This often happens when a wound on the lower leg is slow to close and the healing tissue starts to rise above the skin surface.
Delayed healing can also happen if the wound keeps getting dirty, wet or rubbed, or if movement keeps pulling the edges apart.
Sometimes the wound may be irritated by a bandage, trapped debris or ongoing infection, which can stop normal healing and make it look raw and unhappy.
Less commonly, a deeper injury or something retained in the wound can keep it from closing properly, so it may keep looking open and raised.
What To Do
Keep the area as clean and dry as you reasonably can without overhandling it. If your vet has already given you a wound care plan, stick to that and avoid trying different treatments at once.
Check the wound at the same time each day so you can spot changes in size, colour, heat, discharge or swelling. A photo taken daily can help you see whether it is improving.
Try to reduce contamination from mud, bedding and flies, and make sure turnout, stabling and bandaging are not making the area worse. If the wound is on a leg, be careful not to let movement or rubbing disturb it further.
If the wound seems raised and raw for more than a short period, or it isn't steadily improving, it's sensible to get veterinary advice so the healing tissue can be assessed properly.
When To Contact A Vet
Contact your vet if the wound is getting bigger, remains raw and raised, or has developed discharge, heat, swelling or obvious pain. A wound on a lower leg that isn't scabbing or closing as expected often needs a professional check, especially if proud flesh is building up.
You should also call your vet sooner if the horse is lame, the wound is deep, or you're unsure whether there may be infection or another problem slowing healing.
Products That May Help
If you're managing a minor wound at home, having a sensible first-aid routine can make daily cleaning and observation easier. The right general horse care items may help support tidy, consistent wound management alongside your vet's advice.
Related Questions
How do I tell proud flesh from normal healing?
Should I bandage my horse's leg wound?
Why do lower leg wounds take so long to heal?
Atlas is here to support owners with practical, easy-to-understand guidance. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you're concerned about your animal's health, symptoms worsen, or something doesn't feel right, contact your vet.