Red has cut his leg - advice please.

[Sammii]

This is where I wish I wasn't so god damn squeamish!

Got Red in to ride tonight, and whilst brushing his tail through I noticed a 'gash'; which is what i thought it was at first, on the inside of his near hind hock. I plaited his tail because it was irritating it and there was quite alot of heat, and minimal swelling (there was a little though). With further investigation, I cut away some of the hair, luckily I did because underneath where the hair had been was a puncture wound, nothing drastic (I hope :|), but it was fresh, open and blood ran out of it as soon as I uncovered it.

I attempted to cold hose him, but it wound him up because of the whole 'water on the back legs' issue, and i was scared it would open it up even more and make the situation worse...by this time I was about fainting, and not feel too good, put it that way. So I got a big wad of cotton wool and soaked it and wrapped it round his leg which he was OK with, thank god. After I took pictures (would like a second/third opinion from you guys please), I put on about 3 layers of sudocrem and put him to bed.

By the looks of the position of the cut, and the shape of it (it's the start of a nice hoof shape), my first guess was that he had caught himself whilst rolling, does that look like the 'culprit'? Even though there is a slight puncture wound?

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/920/1001693kh1.th.jpg (http://img161.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1001693kh1.jpg)

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/5402/1001695vr5.th.jpg (http://img125.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1001695vr5.jpg)

He was a very good boy throughout the whole thing, didn't mind me feeling around or poking and prodding (he enjoyed it more than me, thats for sure :eek:!) He was quite happy to pose for a photo for you...which shows that i'm freaking out about his much more than he is!

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/2168/1001697mc4.jpg

I'm hoping that it's just me over-reacting and being too soft, but i've never really had to deal with something like this, and I don't have much confidence in my own judgement really....sorry... :(

Did I do the right thing? What else can I do, if anything? Any other suggestions to 'cold hosing' because that is just not a possibilty i'm afraid.

What should I do should it swell up or there be more heat?
Thanks for reading, and hopefully replying.

[Sammii]

Oh yes, to add, he came in from the field fine, and is sound, as far as I can tell. Didn't trot him up, as I know I should have done.... :o

:(

[Nik-n-Kia]

If you get some spray on elasto plast and disinfect it then spray that on then he should be ok.

I swear by that stuff!!!! Best thing ever invented!!!!

Nikki xxxxx

[Sammii]

Thanks, where would I be able to get from? Is it a 'horsey' product, therefore my local tack shop or is a boots invention?
xx

[Nik-n-Kia]

Boots!!!!

Much cheaper than the vet horsey version!!! About a tenner cheaper!!!!

I think it's from elastoplast or savlon!!!

Wonderful stuff!!!!

Nikki xxxxx

[Sammii]

Thanks, I will get some tomorrow on my way to the yard :)
I feel abit more at ease now that i've done the right thing.

Can't help thinking that it's going to go all wrong though :(

[Nik-n-Kia]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

It's just a temp setback!!!!

think positively hunny and everything will be fine!!!!

Nikki xxxxx

[Whatanejit]

Oh poor red and poor you Sammii!

Sounds like you did the right thing, mate.

When Coops got kicked he had Betadine spray on everyday - another boots purchase.

Keep it clean and he will be fine.

Hugs,

Dee

[NoviceNic]

Creams arnt such a good idea with cuts. The area needs to be kept clean and dirt free. The cream is basically just adding dirt to his wound and could get infected from the cream. Think of a burn.....If its only a minor burn then you can put a bit of cream on but if is a deep burn then the cream will just stay on the sore whilst the skin heals over it. Thus the infection..

The spray on plaster is a good idea but as kids the cut didnt actually start to heal until you took the plaster off. Fresh air and keeping it clean....thats the healer.:)

[Pink's lady]

That flap of skin looks like it's not lying flat so could really do with coming off, else it just traps dirty under it. If it's no well stuck down by now (it might be) try to gentle peel it off, give it a good clean underneath and (as it looks to still be vital) smooth it back down again as tightly as possible. If it is well attatched by now, just leave it.

As for the rest of it, give it a bath couple of times a day with salt water. If a scab forms, just leave it and check it regularly for pocketting underneath it (in which case the scab needs to be pulled off and washed out:eek: ). If it doesn't scab over and dries out sticks some aloe vera on it to keep it moist (just a little dab). Don't out any creams or anything else on it. If it gets bigger, becomes really red or swollen or starts to go pussy you'll need to vet out for sme anti-biotics.

It will take a week or so to heal and, depending on how deep it is, might scar.