Should I have done anything else?

[Trewsers]

Well, poor Joe got kicked this morning off Storm!! :eek: They were playing together in the sandschool - fortunately she is unshod - so am hoping he's not hurt too much!!! She was mightily enjoying herself running around and kicking up her heels - unfortunately for poor Joe he hadn't quite gotten into the spirit of it and just happened to be in the way :( He has a cut above his knee which I've bathed with cotton wool and clean water and I've put sudocream on it. Should I have done anything else? Should I have put ice on it (in case its bruised???) Joe has gone back into his box - I'll turn him out again later and of course check for swelling. Any ideas? Am I worrying about nothing?

[Big Ears]

these things happen, just keep checking for swelling and infection and see if he is sound on it. you can sometime bathe with a very dilute solution of tea tree oil as it is very good an infection/inflammation and I use Barrier Hygiene soothing cream for scrapes and cuts as it is very kind and gentle. Don't put any iodine type things on it as they can sting - or bathe with salt water too as that can clean wounds out nicely. as long as it isn't too deep/wide, it shouldn't need stitching but keep an eye on it.

my mare Molly is pea brained when it comes to horse etiquette, she puts herself in the most dangerous situations, almost asking them to kick her! And Rosie will oblige if she can! she broke her splint bone from a kick when I put her out on loan - 3 days later she was in the vets in plaster!

sometimes if they really do fight you have to keep them separate but hopefully this is a one off.

[Trewsers]

Thanks BigEars - I'll get some Tea Tree oil to keep in my box- a few people have mentioned its healing properties. I think it was just a one off - they usually play "nicely" together, I think it was just that Storm had really gotten into the spirit of playing and she was going full swing and Joe was a bit late starting this morning :D ! I'll keep an eye on his leg - if he'd done any serious damage I think he'd have shown more signs wouldn't he? He trotted up ok and didn't look in any discomfort (he's a very brave boy of course :D ) If he'd cracked any part of his leg bone surely he would have looked more uncomfortable?

[Big Ears]

yes he would have been hobbling lame. just sometimes a cut can conceal a tendon injury etc but that would reveal itself pretty soon.

with the teatree oil, it is very very strong so must dilute a lot or you can buy soothing creams with teatree int hem = however my donkey was allergic to it so you have to be careful. i had some massage oils made up with lavender and other properties for her arthritis, but she was allergic to it and came up all hot in her skin, all swollen, made a real mess of her!

[Trewsers]

Thanks Bigears :D Am definitely going to get a first aid kit made up by our vet - have been putting it off - but I think its a good thing to have. Yes, somebody else said you had to dilute the tea tree oil. I don't know what are they like these horses???! :D At least it got him a carrot for being so good whilst I cleaned the cut.... :p

[Naturally]

Arnica is phenominal for bruising, but can only be used on un cut/unbroken skin. Keep it in your first aid kit for the human too....just incase you land on your :eek:

Also I use a dilution of copper bluestone on fresh wounds, then pack the wound with "curash". It's a baby powder to stop nappy rash. Was recommended to me by a equine vet and always wounds 100 healed with no infection.

Another first aid tip I got a while back was to use ladies sanitary pads if you have a deep wound that needs compression or wrapping. They have great absorbancy and you can buy the "no-name" brands cheaply :p

[Trewsers]

Naturally, thanks for the tips :D I could have done with some arnica the other week - I got bitten by one of YO's horses (horrid thing :mad: ) a lot of the liveries suggested arnica gel for the bruising. I really must get some for my first aid kit :)