Why is there a bad smell coming from my horse’s wound? | arlo.® Atlas

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

A bad smell from a horse's wound usually means something in the area isn't quite right. It can be caused by dirt, discharge, dead tissue, fly contamination, or infection, and it may be stronger if the wound has been bandaged, wet, or left uncleaned for a while.

Smell on its own doesn't tell you exactly what's going on, but it is a sign worth checking properly. The good news is that many minor wounds can be managed at home once you've looked closely at what the skin, swelling and discharge are doing.

Things To Check

1. Check when you first noticed the smell and whether it's getting stronger, staying the same, or only appearing after turnout, exercise or bandage changes.

2. Look closely for discharge, crusting, scabs, dead-looking tissue, or anything trapped in the wound such as mud, bedding or hair.

3. Feel around the area for heat, swelling, tenderness or pain, and note whether your horse flinches when you touch it.

4. Watch how your horse is moving and whether the wound is affecting limb use, especially if it is on a leg or near a joint.

5. Check whether flies have been getting to the area, as this can make smells worse and interfere with healing.

6. If there's a bandage in place, check whether it has become wet, tight, slipped, or started to smell itself.

7. Look at the horse's general state. A dull horse, one that's off feed, or one that seems uncomfortable may need a vet sooner.

Common Causes

The most common reason is simply a dirty or damp wound where discharge, mud or bedding has built up and started to smell.

Another common cause is normal wound drainage that has mixed with sweat, hair or old dressing material, especially if the area hasn't been cleaned recently.

A stronger, unpleasant smell can also suggest infection, particularly if there is swelling, heat, pain or thicker discharge.

Less commonly, the smell may come from a wound with dead tissue, a deeper pocket that is holding fluid, or a bandage problem that has kept the area too wet.

What To Do

Gently inspect the wound in good light and remove any obvious surface dirt if you can do so safely. Keep the area clean and dry, and avoid repeatedly picking at scabs or rough tissue.

If the wound is on a leg, try to keep turnout and conditions as clean as possible so it doesn't keep getting contaminated. If a bandage has become wet or smelly, it should be checked and changed promptly by someone experienced.

Keep an eye on the smell, any discharge, swelling and your horse's comfort level over the next 24 hours. Taking a photo can help you spot changes more easily.

If the smell is mild and the wound otherwise looks calm, careful cleaning and monitoring may be enough for now. If it worsens, treat it as a sign that the wound needs a closer look.

Products That May Help

For minor cuts and grazes, a simple horse first aid routine can be useful when you're keeping the wound clean, managing day-to-day hygiene and checking for changes.

Horse Care

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