TO DO

Do not apply pressure to the wound. Even if it’s bleeding a little, you want the wound to drain, which will also carry out contaminants. If the bleeding is heavy, check with your veterinarian about whether to apply pressure—it may help to take and share a photo of the wound with your smartphone because your idea of a lot of blood may be different from that of your veterinarian.

• Do not spray the wound under high pressure. You could drive any contaminants deeper into the tissue.

• Do not “wait and see.” Especially with a wound under the hoof or near a joint, never assume that the injury is shallow enough for you to manage on your own. The horse may seem fine when the injury occurs, but serious and irreversible damage may develop if you wait even a day or two to call for help.