To Bandage or Not to Bandage Horses

There are a number of things to consider when deciding
whether or not to bandage your horse

Does your horse's wound need a bandage? It depends. 

In some circumstances, a bandage's pressure and friction can actually prolong healing. Add in the expense of the materials and care-taking efforts, and you’ll see that unnecessary bandaging benefits neither horse nor owner.

When deciding whether or not to bandage a wound, location and depth are the key considerations. For instance: 

• Leave high wounds uncovered; put low wounds under wraps. 

• Uncontaminated wounds above the elbow and stifle are likely to scab over and heal well on their own.

• Lower-leg wounds are often irritated by dirt, motion and abrasion. Carefully applied bandages are often beneficial for wounds at or below the knees or hocks.

• Leave shallow wounds unbandaged; keep “full-thickness” wounds covered. 

• Once they’re thoroughly cleaned, superficial scrapes and abrasions are left open to the air, as they form strong scabs almost immediately. 

• A full-thickness wound – one that penetrates all skin layers so that the edges separate or can be pulled apart to reveal underlying structures – does not form a strong scab and can invite deep infection if left exposed. For wounds that require stitching, ask your veterinarian about bandaging recommendations.

In general, simple wounds above the knee and hock do just fine without bandages, which most full-thickness wounds heal better with bandages. New skin formed under bandages may require surface ointments or a loose covering until it toughens up enough to face the elements. But as always, be sure to check with your vet if you're unsure.