POULTICING
A poultice is a material held over a wound, cut or infection to help reduce or fight infection and swelling. It is also used to help draw out any dirt, puss or foreign body from a wound.
There are many types of poultices but they must never be used on a wound near a joint. This is because if the wound enters a tendon, ligament or joint sheath, the poultice could remove vital fluid from the area, causing many issues, some being long term.
Hot fermentation
This is for a wound that has bruising, swelling or needs bathing but it is impractical to apply a bandage.
You will need
A- A Bowl
B- Cooled boiled water which is as hot as you can stand with your hand.
C- Salt added to water. 1 teaspoon per half a litre of water
D- 2 pads of gauze or cotton wool.
How To
Put gauze or cotton wool in the saline water.
Drain most of the water out of one.
Place over the wound and hold gently until the gauze has cooled.
Keep swapping the gauze, until the water has cooled, keeping the wound as warm as possible.
Do this as many times as possible in the day to reduce swelling or help fight infection.
Drawing lintex
There are many types of drawing lintex that can be used on any part of the body to help reduce swelling, remove dirt and help fight infection. Never use on a joint with an open wound though. I am using animalintex.
You will need
A- A drawing lintex
B- Cut the lintex to cover at least 25 mm more than the wound
C- Gamgee or gauze
D- A clean bandage
How To
Heat lintex in boiled water to activate it. Drain and wait until cool enough to easily touch
Place lintex on the area needed, making sure the back is covered by the plastic supplied or covered with plastic cut to the same size as the lintex. In the pictures, the first is the activated side that must be on the wound, the second is the plastic backing. If you do not have this plastic barrier, the lintex will draw from the bandage side it less effective
Cover area with the Gamgee or gauze (please see the bandage section).
Bandage over the top.
Leave for as long as possible but not exceeding the recommended time.
Hot tubbing
This is done to help fight infection, draw out abscesses and treat bruising in the hoof.
You will need
A- A Bowl tough enough to put a horse's hoof in.
B- Cooled boiled water
C- Salt
D- A helper (I have my lovely daughter Katie
How To
Clean the horse’s hoof thoroughly.
Put the cooled boiled water in the bucket so it will come up to the coronet band.
Add one teaspoon of salt to a litre of water and stir well
Place the horse’s foot in a bucket, this is when you will need your helper and plenty of treats.
Swill water around the back of the hoof to make sure clean water is going under the hoof to the infected part.
Remove the hoof when the water is cool.
Repeat as often as possible.
Hoof poultice
This is used for bruising, abscess or a cut on the sole of the hoof. Remember no foot no horse, there are so many complicated structures here so make sure a vet has been consulted.
Everyone has their own way of applying one, but after too many years of applying them, this is the way I find the easiest.
You will need
A- Animalintex or some form of drawing agent cut 2 inches bigger than the area you need to poultice.
B- A piece of plastic bag cut 2 inches bigger than the poultice.
c) Cotton WoC-
D- A nappy
E- Duct tape
How To
After hot tubbing the hoof, dry the bulb of the heel, frog and any hair covered area that is wet.
Place activated and cooled poultice on the hoof, avoiding the frog unless this needs poulticing.
Cover in plastic so the muck from the floor will not be drawn on to the lintex.
Pad the hoof with cotton wool.
Place a nappy over the hoof and do up the tags so it is secure
Secure with the duct tape all over the hoof making a shoe, patting it down to make it waterproof.
If it is tight over the bulb of the heel or at the front on the coronet band, cut a small slit.
You can leave it on for up to 8 hours as long as it is checked regularly for holes and pressure points.
Do not allow the horse out in the field, and keep the bed as clean and dry as possible so no dirty water can get in and be held on the hoof.
Final Thoughts
Poulticing is a good way to reduce inflammation and draw out any unwanted particles from an injury.
If there is any doubt about the seriousness of the injury a vet must be consulted.
This can often save your horse pain and you money in the end.