How to Poultice
Poulticing
There are number of products on the market that you can buy. They can be applied on whichever part of the body as long as you can attach the poultice to the horse.
Their uses
- To soothe bruising
- To reduce inflamation
- To clean wounds
- To draw off pus as it forms.
Test all poultices first with your bare elbow or the back of your hand just to make sure they are not too hot, depending on their need they might need changing twice a day.
Kaolin
Is one of the most useful ones to use with inflammation and bruising, but shouldn't be used on open wounds as it will block them and prevent them from being able to drain. You can buy this from any good chemists. You can even buy a poultice already impregnated Kaolin.
The proceedure
- Heat it up by placing the amount you need to use in a waterproof container, and placing it in hot water and heat it till it is pliable.
- Spread the Kaolin with a blunt knife onto a piece of gauze, brown paper or foil, in cases of a sprain or bruising it can be applied directly to the injured area, in the case of a wound,( but not an open wound) you will need to use a gauze etc.
- Once the Kaolin has been applied to the affected area cover it with either Gamgee or cotton wool and hold it in place with a crepe bandage.
- Kaolin can also be applied cold, in the same manner. It will be easier to remove if you use a piece of gauze as described above.
Animalintex
Is an already prepared poultice which has good drawing properties and is easy and safe to use and quicker to prepare. Apply as per manufactures instructions. It is useful as a foot poultice, especially if you do not have a poultice boot as it is light and easy to use. It also tends to stay in place. (they also do them with Kaolin)
Bran & Epsom Salts
This again is very useful for injuries to the foot. The farrier should remove the shoe and prepare the foot for treatment. Before poulticing make sure that the foot is clean and dry.
To Apply a Poultice
There are many ways of doing this, you might have your own way, but this is a proven method. To apply the poultice at the correct temperature you must lay out all the equipment you need so that it is close to hand.
- Crepe bandage
- Stable bandage
- Gamgee
- Standard plastic bag such as a supermarket one
- Strong plastic bag (bottom of a compost bag is quite good)
- A poultice boot if you have one
- Smear Vaseline over the heel
Proceedure
- Apply the stable bandage over the piece of Gamgee which should stretch up to the coronet band
- Heat up the a small bran mash adding a handful of Epsom Salts
- Put enough mash into the corner of the plastic bag to form a 2inch layer of mash.
- Lift the foot put it in the bag and pack and pack the bran around and under it
- If a poultice boot is not available, use the strong plastic bag. A small pad pushed into the corner of the bag where the toe of the hoof will go, this will prevent it from tearing.
- Put the foot into the bag and bandage over the bag to keep it in place working from the pastern upwards
- Alternatively, fit the poultice boot
- Animalintex or Kaolin may be used as a substitute for Epsom Salts and bran.
- It is usual to apply a foot poultice each day for three days.
- During this time the horse must be stabled otherwise the poultice will fall off.
- If you only have a field perhaps do what I have done in the past and once the dressing has been done over tape the foot and bandage with the Silver Duct tape, this will last a few hours until the poultice needs to be changed.
Hot Fomentations
These can be used after cold hosing and are extremely helpful for areas that cannot be poulticed. They are of little value unless continued for 15 minutes, in extreme cases you can do them several times a day.
Proceedure
- Half fill a bucket with hot water (hand hot)
- Add a handful of Epsom Salts to increase the drawing properties.
- Take two pieces of thick material, like a towel, or if you have them Vet pads. You will need approx 2ft x 2ft.6 and place them in the water.
- Take out one piece folding it in double or in four, squeeze out some of the water and press it over the injured area holding it in place until some of the heat has come out of it.
- Replace the cloth in the bucket and take out the other piece and repeat the process
- Top up the water from a kettle to keep it hot.
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Poultice boot Animalintex Bandages Vaseline Gamgee
