Horse Proud Flesh: Preventing and Managing Exuberant Granulation Tissue

Proud flesh is a painful and welfare-compromising wound complication in horses that requires careful management to prevent chronic suffering.

Key Facts

Proud flesh is exuberant granulation tissue that overgrows beyond wound edges, preventing healing.
Lower limb wounds in horses are especially prone to proud flesh due to movement and poor circulation.
Standard treatment involves debridement, bandaging, and in some cases topical corticosteroids.
Untreated proud flesh can become permanently disfiguring and functionally limiting.
Pressure bandaging is a cornerstone of prevention alongside prompt wound care.
Horses with proud flesh experience chronic discomfort, reduced mobility, and infection risk.
Surgical excision under local anesthesia may be required for established masses.

Welfare Considerations

Proud flesh represents a significant welfare burden requiring proactive veterinary management. Wounds left unmanaged on lower limbs often develop proud flesh within days, causing ongoing pain and limiting movement. Early intervention dramatically improves outcomes and reduces suffering duration. Owners who attempt home management without veterinary guidance often inadvertently worsen the condition by applying inappropriate topical agents. A horse with chronic proud flesh on a pastern or cannon bone faces daily discomfort affecting gait, behaviour, and quality of life.

What You Can Do

Consult a vet promptly for any lower limb wound on a horse.
Apply appropriate pressure bandaging as directed by your veterinarian.
Avoid home remedies or caustic topical products that may worsen tissue growth.
Follow a strict bandage change schedule to monitor wound progression.
Discuss surgical options with your vet if proud flesh is already established.