A poultice can be beneficial when treating your horse�s lameness. Poultices are believed to help increase blood flow and white blood cells to the injured area. There are three main types of poultices to choose from: a bread or bran based poultice, an Animalintex poultice and a clay type poultice.
There are several brands of poultices available on the market, but the most important thing is to apply and use the poultice correctly. After you choose that one that best suits your needs, the poultice should be applied to the injured area when hot to help increase circulation and attract white blood cells. Once the poultice has cooled off, it loses it effectiveness for healing. Therefore, it is important to change the poultice frequently throughout the day.
When applying the poultice, make sure that it covers 2 � 3 inches beyond the injured area in order to cover the entire wound and help encourage healing. Whatever poultice you decide to use on the wound, be sure to follow the directions for application on the label. Keeping the poultice in place can be tricky, but using bandages helps. Make sure the bandage is wrapped securely around the area. This may take some time, but it is worth the effort. A poultice boot is helpful for keeping the poultice in place on the foot area. The key for treatment is to keep changing the poultice.
If you are changing a poultice, it is a good idea to remove all of the old material. This task may be more difficult when using a clay poultice. Try not to use a poultice on a wound for more than 48 hours because it can damage the skin around the wound and may make it harder for the skin to heal. It is a good idea to consult with your veterinarian first before using a poultice, to find out the ideal time period for using a poultice.
Although the treatment of lameness with poultice has not been scientifically proven, many horse owners have found this to be an effective treatment for lameness.
