Exuberant granulation tissue, known as proud flesh, is a common complication of horse wound healing that causes chronic problems requiring skilled management.
Wounds complicated by proud flesh cause prolonged suffering that extends far beyond the initial injury. Wounds that would otherwise heal in weeks become chronic problems requiring months of management, with dressing changes, pressure bandaging and veterinary interventions. The chronic open wound is painful and vulnerable to infection, and the regular bandaging necessary to manage it involves handling that many horses find stressful. The cycle of wound management becomes a significant welfare burden for affected horses. Owner education about immediate wound assessment and appropriate early management significantly reduces the incidence of this preventable complication.