Equine wounds – what the horse owner should know

Summary

# Editorial Summary Sally Hodgson's 2017 review synthesises evidence-based wound management principles to establish a practical knowledge framework for horse owners encountering acute injuries—a critical gap given that owners typically provide initial care before veterinary assessment. Rather than prescriptive protocols, the paper outlines fundamental pathophysiological principles governing equine wound healing, including factors influencing contamination risk, infection potential, and tissue viability assessment. Key recommendations emphasise prompt controlled irrigation, appropriate antimicrobial selection, and recognition of wound characteristics that mandate professional intervention, alongside guidance on when self-management is appropriate versus when complications are likely. For equine professionals, this work provides evidence-grounded language for educating clients on wound triage and first aid, reducing unnecessary delay or conversely, owner-initiated interventions that compromise healing or increase infection risk. Understanding these fundamentals enables farriers, vets and therapists to reinforce consistent messaging about wound care standards across the veterinary and farriery team, ultimately improving outcomes by ensuring informed owner participation in early management decisions.

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Key Findings

• •Educational review providing foundational knowledge for horse owners managing equine wound injuries

Conditions Studied