How To Prevent Proud Flesh With the ABC's

November 13, 2014 2 min read

Proud flesh is a very normal wound healing response for a horse. When your horse gets a wound it will begin to heal on its own. As it does, a pinkish granulation tissue fills in the gaps between soft tissues. Typically, granulation tissue will stop forming when the skin edges grow together and cover the wound. However, when the healing process does not go according to plan, the granulation issue will keep growing until it bulges above skin level and newly formed skin can’t grow over the wound. This is proud flesh. benefab Proud flesh is typically found in wounds below a horse’s knees and hocks. It is more likely to occur in areas with lots of movement such as joints. These areas have little soft tissue between the skin and bone and a horse’s movement constantly tugs on the wound’s edges. Preventing proud flesh can be done with your ABCS! A – Advice. Get your vet’s advice on the wound before you do anything. They could make a decision to suture the wound if it is bad enough or could administer antibiotics per recommendation. B – Bandage. Bandage your horse’s wound with a pressure wrap. This will help to hold the edges of the wound together. C – Clean and Covered. Keep the wound clean and covered to prevent any infection or additional tearing. S – Stall rest. Keep your horse and quiet as possible. This will prevent stress on the wound and will give it time to heal. Stall rest is the best option for this. Proud flesh is very common so if it does occur have your vet: Trim the tissue back to skin level Put another pressure wrap on the wound to prevent bulging again Apply a topical cortisone and antibiotic. The cortisone will slow the growth of the granulation tissue and can even shrink the proud flesh. Proud flesh can be a pain for all horse owners, but remember your ABCS and you have a great chance of preventing it! For more information on proud flesh, visit: http://www.thehorse.com/articles/10172/proud-flesh


Also in Blog

Edema in Horses: Causes + Treatment
Edema in Horses: Causes + Treatment

March 31, 2023 3 min read

Edema in horses is the accumulation of fluid somewhere in their bodies, most commonly in their legs (commonly known as “stocking up”) or in their lower abdomen. Edema is different than inflammation and, in rare cases, can become malignant and even fatal. Read on to learn about common forms of edema in horses and what you can do to help.
Natural Wound Care for Dogs with Essential Oils
Natural Wound Care for Dogs with Essential Oils

March 23, 2023 2 min read

Essential oils are an excellent natural home remedy for wounds or your dog’s irritated skin. However, not all essential oils are safe to use around or on dogs. Make sure you know what is helpful and harmful before using any essential oils on your dog.
What is a Normal Heart Rate for a Horse?
What is a Normal Heart Rate for a Horse?

March 16, 2023 2 min read

Hearts are an amazing thing in all animals. A constantly working muscle, the heart, pumps blood throughout the body to sustain life. The horse’s heart is a well-oiled machine—the heart’s efficiency results in a super athlete.