Exuberant granulation tissue, or proud flesh, is a common and painful wound complication in horses. Proper management prevents chronic suffering and improves healing outcomes.
Proud flesh represents a chronic wound welfare challenge unique to horses. Wounds that develop exuberant granulation tissue can persist for months or years, causing ongoing pain, restricting limb function, and requiring repeated treatment. Traditional approaches using caustic substances like copper sulfate paste or bloodstoppers cause significant pain and can damage surrounding healthy tissue, worsening outcomes. Evidence-based wound management prioritizes early pressure bandaging to prevent proud flesh formation, which is far less painful and more effective than treating established tissue. When surgical debridement is needed, appropriate local anesthesia and sedation prevent procedural pain. Good wound management is an important component of equine welfare.