Vet Tips 2025: Why Only Medical Grade Honey Should Be Used on Horse Wounds 🍯🐴
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Vet Tips 2025: Why Only Medical Grade Honey Should Be Used on Horse Wounds 🍯🐴
By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc
Honey has long been known for its healing properties, but when it comes to wound care in horses, not all honey is created equal. If you’ve ever considered slathering your horse’s laceration with pantry honey, pause right there—because only medical grade honey is proven to aid in healing while being safe and sterile. 🧠🐎
Why Are Horse Wounds Tricky to Heal? 🩹🐴
Horses have surprisingly thin skin for such large animals, especially on their legs. Lacerations and puncture wounds are common, and healing is often complicated by:
- 🧱 Limited soft tissue on limbs
- 🎯 Constant motion disrupting healing
- 🦠 High risk of bacterial contamination and proud flesh
This makes finding non-irritating, infection-controlling, healing-boosting treatments a top priority for equine wound care. 💡
What Is Medical Grade Honey? 🍯🧪
Medical grade honey is honey that has been:
- 🔬
to eliminate natural bacteria, spores, and contaminants - ✅ Packaged in a sterile medical-grade environment
- 🧪 Consistently tested for antimicrobial activity
This differs significantly from grocery store honey, which may contain bacteria, mold spores, and pollen—all of which can contaminate open wounds. 🚫
Why Use Medical Grade Honey for Equine Wounds? 🧠🩺
Honey has natural antibacterial properties due to:
- 🔥 High sugar content (osmotic effect that draws fluid out of bacteria)
- 🍯 Naturally low pH
- 🧬 Hydrogen peroxide release during application
These effects
Study Results: Honey Really Helps Heal 🧪📊
In a study of 127 horses with naturally sustained wounds:
- 🐎 69 horses were treated with medical grade honey
- 🐴 58 horses were treated without honey
Findings:
- 📈
before suture removal - 📉 Only
in the same period - 🛡️ Honey-treated wounds showed
The improved healing rate was attributed to
Where Medical Honey Helps Most 🍯🩹
Use medical grade honey:
- 🩸 On fresh lacerations prior to suturing (with your vet’s guidance)
- 🧼 In contaminated wounds or slow-healing abrasions
- 🔁 To reduce infection risk during bandage changes
- 💡 In place of topical antibiotics in some cases
Warning: Why Not to Use Pantry Honey ❌🍯
Store-bought honey:
- 🚫 Is not sterilized
- 🦠 May contain spores of
and other pathogens - ⚠️ Can introduce
Even though it’s natural and tasty,
Need Help Choosing or Using Medical Honey? Ask A Vet 📱🐴
Not sure which honey is safe? Want advice on managing wounds naturally and effectively? Talk to a wound care expert now at Ask A Vet.
Final Thoughts: Sweet Science, Not Just a Sweetener 💡🍯
Medical grade honey brings nature and science together in a powerful way—but only when used properly. Don’t reach for the kitchen bottle. Reach for sterile, tested,
Need wound care advice? Visit Ask A Vet and speak with an equine health professional today. 🩺🍯
