A Guide to Equine Wound Care

 Harnessing nature's healing power with Silver Honey®

As a horse owner and caregiver, it is critical to be ready to treat wounds and skin conditions. Let’s face it, horses seem to have a special talent for finding ways to injure themselves, from scrapes and cuts to stubborn skin conditions like scratches. The good news? Having the right products on hand can make wound and skin management much more straightforward.

First Order of Business - When to Call the Vet

For any wound, call your veterinarian promptly if you see:

●     Punctures (especially near joints, tendons, hoof, or chest/abdomen)

●     Deep lacerations, gaping edges, heavy bleeding, or tissue hanging

●     Eye injuries or anything close to the eye

●     Heat, swelling, worsening pain, thick discharge, bad odor, or lameness

●     Your horse seems dull or “not his or her usual self.”

If it’s a superficial scrape, small cut, rub, or crusty skin flare-up, you can usually start sensible topical care right away while keeping a close watch.

Understanding How Horse Wounds Heal

Before diving into treatment, it helps to understand what makes equine wounds unique. Many factors delay wound healing in horses, and among the most common is infection. Wounds on horses' lower legs are particularly challenging. Horses have thinner skin than many other animals, and wounds below the knee or hock often need to heal naturally. In addition, horses’ wounds are vulnerable to contamination from dirt, manure, and moisture.

The Challenge of Infection

When bacteria, fungi, or parasites enter broken skin, they can quickly multiply and delay healing. Traditional antibiotics have long been the go-to solution, but there's growing concern about resistance. Veterinarians are under increasing pressure to minimize their use of antibiotics.

This is where natural, research-backed alternatives become valuable, not as a replacement for veterinary care in serious cases, but as effective first-line treatment for everyday wounds.

The Power of Manuka Honey

Manuka honey has been used in wound care since ancient times, but modern research has validated why it works so well, especially for horses. What makes Manuka honey special? Unlike regular honey, it contains methylglyoxal, a compound that gives it potent bacteria-fighting properties that don't rely on hydrogen peroxide.

The Research Behind Manuka Honey

Multiple studies at the University of Sydney have tested Manuka honey on equine wounds with impressive results. Wounds treated with manuka honey gel throughout healing healed faster than all other wounds. Wounds treated with manuka honey and manuka honey gel for 12 days healed faster than gel control and untreated control wounds.

The honey works by drawing fluid from the wound bed, helping remove dead tissue naturally—a process called autolytic debridement. The physical properties of honey enhance wound healing by increasing the release of oxygen from hemoglobin, inactivating bacterial proteases and drawing fluid out of the wound bed, initiating autolytic debridement.

Understanding MicroSilver BG®

While Manuka honey addresses infection and promotes healing, MicroSilver® BG offers a complementary approach. Unlike colloidal silver and chelated silver, the micro-sized particles are slightly larger and stay on the surface of the skin instead of being absorbed into the body. This provides long-lasting action that clings to the skin and hair follicles and provides the highest level of safety for silver used in topical healthcare.

What makes MicroSilver BG unique is its formulation. MicroSilver BG protects against unwanted germs while boosting the skin's natural defenses and maintaining its beneficial flora, crucial because a balanced skin microbiome helps wounds heal faster.

Protecting the Skin's Microbiome

Your horse's skin naturally hosts beneficial microorganisms that work in harmony. With tissue injury, loss of microbial diversity (or a disrupted skin microbiome) can prolong inflammation, delaying wound healing. Both equine and human research have shown that a balanced microbiome shortens the time it takes for wounds to heal.

The combination of Manuka honey and MicroSilver BG in products like Silver Honey addresses harmful bacteria while respecting this delicate balance.

Basic Wound Care Steps

Regardless of which product you choose, follow these fundamental steps:

1. Assess the wound: If it's deep, involves a joint, won't stop bleeding, or your horse is lame, call your vet immediately.
2. Clean gently: Use a product formulated for wound cleansing, like Silver Honey® Rapid Skin Relief Medicated Shampoo. It is a lightly lathering wash that quickly soothes irritated skin and treats fungal and bacterial skin conditions. It provides hydrating relief for itchy skin and is an effective wash for cuts and wounds. Use this gentle formula to remove excess dirt and debris. Avoid scrubbing and pat or air dry before applying treatment.
3. Apply wound care product liberally: Don't be stingy. Extend the application beyond the wound edges to create a protective zone.
4. Don't rinse off: These products are designed to stay in place and keep working.
5. Keep it dry: This is often the most challenging part. The primary defense to allow healing is a dry, clean environment.

Choosing the Right Product for the Job

Silver Honey offers several formulations designed for different wound scenarios:

For Fresh Injuries: Silver Honey® Spray Gel. When your horse comes in with a new cut, abrasion, or scrape, the spray gel offers touch-free application that's ideal for sensitive areas. The gel formula stays in place rather than running off, providing continuous coverage. It's perfect for rain rot, rashes, fungus, and burns—basically any fresh wound or skin irritation that needs immediate attention.

The spray gel promotes natural debridement, helping the body clear away dead tissue so new, healthy tissue can grow. Apply it once or twice daily without rinsing off, extending the application beyond the wound edges.

For Stubborn Wounds: Silver Honey® Ointment. Some wounds just won't cooperate. They develop thick scabs, stay moist, or seem stuck in the healing process. This is where the ointment shines. Its thicker consistency provides a moisturizing barrier that keeps stubborn wounds hydrated while still fighting bacteria.

The ointment is beneficial for wounds with heavy scabbing. It helps soften those persistent crusts so they can be gently removed rather than picked at, which can cause trauma. Apply liberally once or twice daily, or as often as needed.

For Maximum Protection: Silver Honey® Rapid Wound Repair Maximum Strength Dry Spray. Dry Spray represents the most powerful Silver Honey formula. The dry powder coats open wounds to keep them clean and dry, essential for wounds in challenging locations or during wet weather. Kaolin clay supports an optimal moisture balance, accelerating healing. The formula adheres to open wounds, making it ideal for large or unbandaged injuries. An easy-to-use aerosol applicator delivers even coverage without stickiness or mess. Dry Spray is perfect for cuts, abrasions, sores, and other skin irritations.

For Scratches: Silver Honey® Rapid Skin Relief Vet Strength Scratches Spray. Scratches, also called pastern dermatitis, mud fever, or greasy heel. deserves its own discussion. Various causes can trigger pastern dermatitis. It develops when bacteria, fungi, and/or parasites enter through the topmost layer of the skin, leading to inflammation, pus, and even lameness. For healing scratches, the biggest concern is continued exposure to mud and moisture.

The Silver Honey Scratches Spray uses RapidSorb™Technology for faster, deeper absorption through thickened skin and scabs and includes essential oils that deliver soothing relief to irritated skin. It helps prevent infection and encourages the shedding of dead tissue, supporting faster healing.

Prevention: Your Best Strategy

The easiest wound to treat is the one that never happens. While you can't prevent every injury, you can reduce risks:

●     Walk your pastures regularly, removing hazards like wire, broken boards, and sharp objects

●     Maintain fencing in good repair

●     Keep stalls clean and dry

●     Clip excessive feathers on draft breeds or horses prone to scratches

●     Don't hose your horse's legs unless necessary, and always dry thoroughly afterward

●     Bathe with Silver Honey® Rapid Skin Relief Medicated Shampoo to help prevent bacterial issues

●     During wet weather, consider keeping horses in during heavy dew or turning them out after the ground dries

The Bottom Line

Wound care doesn't have to be complicated. With research-backed natural ingredients like Manuka honey and MicroSilver BG, you can effectively address most everyday wounds and skin conditions.The key is acting quickly, choosing the right product for the situation, and maintaining a clean, dry environment for healing.

For routine injuries, natural wound care products offer an effective, safe first-line defense. For anything more serious, professional veterinary guidance ensures the best outcome for your horse.

References:

1. University of Sydney. "Honey with high Unique Manuka Factor heals wounds." September 5, 2017.
2. Bischofberger AS, Dart CM, Perkins NR, Kelly A, Jeffcott L, Dart AJ. The effect of short- and long-term treatment with manuka honey on second intention healing of contaminated and noncontaminated wounds on the distal aspect of the forelimbs in horses. Vet Surg. 2013;42(2):154-160.
3. Dart AJ, et al. Mechanisms of action of manuka honey in an equine model of second intention wound healing. Medical Research Archives. 2018.
4. Bischofberger AS, Dart CM, Perkins NR, Dart AJ. A preliminary study on the effect of manuka honey on second-intention healing of contaminated wounds on the distal aspect of the forelimbs of horses. Vet Surg. 2011;40:898-902.
5. Dart AJ. A review of research into second intention equine wound healing using manuka honey. Equine Veterinary Education. 2015.
6. Plassmann P, Melhuish JM, Harding KG. Silver in Wound Care—Friend or Foe? Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2019;144(1S):18S-24S.
7. UC Davis Center for Equine Health. "Pastern Dermatitis (Scratches)." August 7, 2025.
8. Zarasyl. "Scratches 101: What You Need to Know About Pastern Dermatitis."
9. Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. "Understanding and Treating Scratches in Horses."
10. Mad Barn. "Equine Pastern Dermatitis (Mud Fever)." December 4, 2025.