Bandaging Horse's Legs by a Vet – 2025 Guide to Wound Care & Proud Flesh Prevention 🩹🐎

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Introduction

Lower leg wounds in horses are among the most common and frustrating injuries for owners to manage. These wounds are slow to heal and often develop proud flesh—a condition where granulation tissue grows excessively beyond the wound site. In 2025, knowing when to bandage and how to manage healing can make all the difference in minimizing scarring, infection, and long-term lameness.

What Is Proud Flesh? 🤕

Proud flesh, or exuberant granulation tissue, is the overgrowth of healing tissue that protrudes beyond the edges of the wound, making closure and skin contraction impossible. It occurs most frequently:

• On the lower limbs, where skin movement is limited
• In warm, humid environments
• When wounds are not properly managed

Granulation Tissue Basics 🧬

• Granulation tissue fills in the gap left by an open wound (if not sutured)
• Healthy granulation tissue is pink and flat
• Proud flesh continues to grow upward and outward, resembling a cauliflower-like mass

Should You Bandage? 🎯

✅ YES – When to Bandage:

• For fresh wounds (first 7–14 days)
• To prevent contamination and protect exposed tissues
• To apply medications that retard proud flesh growth
• When flies or environmental contaminants are present
• To control swelling and bleeding

❌ MAYBE NOT – When NOT to Bandage:

• In cold, dry climates with minimal risk of fly exposure
• Once a wound is well granulated and free of discharge
• When medically advised by your vet after wound stabilization

Geographic Factors Matter 🌍

While horses in colder climates (like Montana or Canada) may heal open wounds without bandaging, those in warm, humid regions like Texas or Florida often experience rapid proud flesh formation. Heat, humidity, and fly irritation promote inflammation and delay healing.

How to Properly Bandage a Horse's Leg 🩹

Step 1: Clean the Wound

• Use sterile saline or diluted Betadine to irrigate
• Remove debris, dirt, and hair

Step 2: Apply Wound Medication

• Use a vet-recommended ointment that retards proud flesh (e.g., corticosteroid-based or antibiotic blends)

Step 3: Use a Non-Stick Dressing

• Telfa pads or similar to cover the wound site

Step 4: Secure with Layers

• Rolled gauze to hold the pad
• Thick cotton padding
• Vet wrap or cohesive bandage on the outside

Step 5: Change Bandage Regularly

• Every 1–2 days in the first week
• Less frequently as granulation forms

When Proud Flesh Appears 🚨

Signs of Proud Flesh:

• Granulation tissue growing past wound edges
• Cauliflower texture or irregular growth
• Wound that stops contracting and skin won’t grow in

What NOT to Do:

• Don’t use caustic powders or "homemade burn pastes" — they harm healthy tissue
• Don’t trim tissue yourself — improper debridement can worsen the wound

What TO Do:

• Call your vet for surgical debridement
• Rebandage with proud flesh-control medications
• Adjust turnout or stall rest to minimize movement

Case Example: Leg Wound with Proud Flesh in Warm Climate 🌡️

1. Horse sustained a 4-inch laceration to front cannon
2. Initial bandaging missed — wound left open for air
3. By day 10, proud flesh protruded 1 cm beyond wound
4. Vet surgically removed tissue, began bandage + corticosteroid protocol
5. Wound fully healed by week 5 with minimal scarring

FAQs About Equine Leg Bandaging 🐎

Q: Is proud flesh dangerous?

A: Not directly—but it prevents wounds from closing, increasing the risk of infection and prolonged healing.

Q: How long should I bandage a wound?

A: Until healthy granulation tissue forms and wound margins are smooth—often 1–3 weeks depending on the injury.

Q: Can I use human bandage supplies?

A: Some—non-stick pads and rolled gauze are fine. Avoid tapes that stick to equine skin or don’t allow breathability.

Conclusion

Proper bandaging in the first few days after injury can make or break a horse’s wound healing outcome. In warmer climates, wrapping lower leg wounds and using anti-proud flesh medications are usually necessary. Proud flesh should be managed early and professionally to avoid complications. When in doubt, always let your veterinarian examine the wound and guide the healing process.

Want help managing a leg wound on your horse? Visit AskAVet.com or download our app 📱 to get expert wound care advice from Dr Duncan Houston and protect your horse’s legs with confidence. 🩺🐴