🩹 Vet Guide to Recognizing Injuries in Horses | 2025 Emergency Signs & Lower Leg Wound Advice 🐴

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Horses are notoriously accident-prone. Whether it’s a pasture scrape, trailer cut, or a hard knock on the fence post, horse owners deal with injuries regularly. But the **size of the wound isn’t always the best indicator of severity**—especially when it comes to wounds on the lower limbs. 🧠🐎

In this 2025 guide, I’ll explain how to identify serious injuries, why lower leg wounds are high risk, and when to call your vet—immediately. 🩺⚠️

🦵 Why Lower Leg Wounds Are More Dangerous

The **knee, hock, and everything below** are particularly vulnerable areas. These parts of the leg have **very little soft tissue** protecting critical structures like:

• 🧬 Tendon sheaths
• 🦴 Joints
• 🧠 Synovial structures (fluid-filled cushions)

A **small puncture** that enters one of these spaces can introduce bacteria into a sterile environment—leading to a **joint or tendon sheath infection**. These infections are **life-threatening emergencies**. 🚨

⚠️ Common Mistake: Judging by Size Alone

It’s easy to look at a small nick and think, “That’s no big deal.” But with lower leg wounds, **location matters more than appearance**. Even a ½-inch puncture near a joint can lead to a septic infection that requires hospitalization, surgery, and intensive treatment. 📉

Always Call Your Vet If:

• 🩸 The wound is near or over a joint or tendon
• 🦠 There’s swelling in the limb
• 🚶‍♂️ The horse is lame—even slightly
• 💧 There is a clear, sticky fluid leaking from the wound (may be synovial fluid)

🧪 Diagnosing Lower Limb Infections

When your vet arrives, they may perform several diagnostics to determine whether a joint or sheath is involved: 🔬

• 💉 Sedation and regional nerve block
• 🧪 Joint/tendon sheath fluid sampling (arthrocentesis)
• 🧴 Injection of contrast or anesthetic to test communication with the wound

These tests are crucial to catch infections early—before they spread or become irreversible. ⏳

💊 Why Giving Bute Without a Diagnosis Is Risky

It’s tempting to reach for bute when your horse has a swollen leg or mild lameness. But doing so before calling a vet can **mask the signs** of infection—making it harder to diagnose and treat the problem. ⚠️

Worse, delaying proper treatment by giving pain meds may allow an infection to progress. By the time the horse’s pain returns, the infection may be **too far gone** for successful treatment. 💔

🧠 Bottom Line:

• 📉 Pain meds like bute should **never** be your first step in wound care
• 📱 Always consult your vet first before giving any medication

🛠️ Don’t Wait to “See What Happens”

Every hour counts when managing potential joint or tendon sheath infections. Waiting a day—or even several hours—can mean the difference between full recovery and permanent lameness or euthanasia. ⌛🐎

It’s better to have a vet check a harmless cut than to miss an infection that costs your horse its life. ✅

📲 Use Ask A Vet for Injury Assessment

The Ask A Vet app is your go-to for wound evaluation and emergency triage. Use it to:

• 📸 Upload photos of wounds or swelling
• 📱 Chat with a licensed vet about severity and urgency
• 📋 Get first aid instructions before your vet arrives
• 📊 Track recovery and watch for signs of infection

Fast action, expert advice—just a tap away. 🐴📲

✅ Wound Care Takeaways

• 🩹 Even small wounds near joints or tendons can be deadly
• 🚨 Joint and tendon sheath infections are emergencies
• 📞 Call your vet immediately for any lower leg wound
• 💊 Avoid giving bute or NSAIDs before a diagnosis
• 📱 Use Ask A Vet to get fast support and wound triage

📲 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

With horse injuries, it’s not the size of the wound—it’s where it is. Lower leg injuries, especially near joints or tendons, can turn deadly if not treated early. Your first step should always be calling your vet—not reaching for the bute. 🧠💙

Download the Ask A Vet app today to get expert help when every second counts. Better safe than sorry—for your horse and your peace of mind. 🐎📱