Proud Flesh: Managing Exuberant Granulation Tissue in Horses

Proud flesh (exuberant granulation tissue) complicates wound healing in horses, particularly on limbs, requiring careful management to prevent chronic disability.

Key Facts

Horses are uniquely prone to proud flesh compared to other species due to limb wound healing biology
Distal limb wounds below the knee and hock carry highest proud flesh risk
Excessive granulation tissue prevents epithelial migration and prolongs healing
Pressure bandaging is a primary prevention strategy for distal limb wounds
Surgical debridement under sedation is required for established proud flesh
Corticosteroid application reduces regrowth after debridement in some cases
Prevention through immediate wound management is more effective than treatment

Welfare Considerations

Horses with proud flesh suffer from chronic, painful wounds that prevent normal movement and function. The condition can persist for months or years without appropriate management, causing ongoing pain, infection risk, and lameness. Early, aggressive wound management - proper cleaning, bandaging, and veterinary assessment - prevents most cases. When proud flesh develops, prompt debridement minimizes suffering duration and improves long-term outcomes.

What You Can Do

Clean and bandage distal limb wounds promptly to reduce proud flesh risk
Seek veterinary assessment for any wound showing elevated tissue growth
Use conforming bandages to apply appropriate pressure on healing wounds
Follow prescribed debridement aftercare precisely to prevent rapid regrowth
Avoid using caustic preparations (copper sulfate) without veterinary guidance
Monitor healing wounds daily for signs of infection or tissue overgrowth
Ask your vet about wound healing products appropriate for equine use