Why does my horse keep getting proud flesh on a wound?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

Proud flesh usually appears when a wound is taking too long to heal, most often on the lower legs. It happens because the wound site keeps trying to heal but the edges don't stay quiet enough for healthy skin to cover the area. There can be several reasons for this, including movement, contamination, repeated irritation, or a wound that's deeper than it first looked.

Things To Check

1. Check where the wound is. Proud flesh is more common on lower limbs, where healing can be slower.

2. Look at the wound edges. If they're raised, red, wet-looking or bulging above the skin line, that can fit with proud flesh.

3. Note how long the wound has been open. Wounds that are still changing after several days, or seem stuck in the same stage, are worth watching closely.

4. Check for heat, swelling, discharge or a smell, which can suggest the wound isn't staying clean.

5. Think about movement. Constant walking, rubbing against bandages, or getting knocked in the field can slow healing.

6. Look at the dressing or bandage if one is being used. If it slips, gets wet or traps dirt, that can interfere with healing.

7. Make a note of any lameness, sensitivity, or the horse picking at the area.

Common Causes

The most common reason is that the wound is on a lower leg, where there is less skin and more movement during healing. The area may keep opening slightly or be irritated by mud, flies, bandages or exercise.

Poor wound cleanliness can also play a part. Dirt, hair, dead tissue or repeated contamination may make healing slower and encourage proud flesh to build up.

Wounds that are deep, wide, or have lost tissue often heal more slowly too. If the skin edges can't come together neatly, the body may produce extra healing tissue.

Sometimes the issue is more about ongoing irritation than the wound itself. A bandage that rubs, a boot that doesn't fit well, or a horse that's very active may all make the area harder to settle.

What To Do

Keep the wound clean and monitor it closely. Use gentle routine care and only change the dressing as often as advised for that wound type.

Try to reduce unnecessary movement if the wound is on a leg, and make sure turnout, stable conditions and any bandaging are helping rather than irritating the area.

Take clear photos every day or two so you can see whether the wound is improving, staying the same, or getting more raised.

If the area is dirty, wet, smelly, increasingly swollen, or seems more painful, it's sensible to get veterinary advice rather than trying to manage it alone.

Products That May Help

For owners dealing with minor cuts, grazes and general wound cleaning, a suitable horse care collection may be useful as part of a calm first-aid routine.

Horse Care

Your cart is empty

Your cart

Estimated total