Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Helps dry out minor wounds . |
| Disadvantages: |
Hole can block . |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
I have another exciting horse related review again here for those of you who are interested. I realise it can be boring for those who are not equine minded, but they are a large part of my life so they fill a fair proportion of my reviews. Actually, it is not really exciting as it is about powder, but it is something I have used and the category is there, so I am writing it. My horses have so many items that I have bought for them, tack, grooming items, rugs, schooling equipment, first aid items, the list is endless, my pocket is bottomless (I wish). Horses are expensive animals to keep, these is no getting away from that but they are worth it. Like people, horses need first aid and it is important to keep an up to date first aid box for when it is needed.
First Aid Box.
* * * * * * * * * *
If I were to list everything that should be contained in a first aid box, I would probably miss something out, so I will tell you what is in mine. The veterinary wound powder is part of it, so I will come to that in more detail later.
An Air Tight Container
Cotton Wool
Sterile Water
Hibbiscrub
Gamgee
Tape
Animalintex
Bandages
Wound Powder
Scissors
Aloe Vera Gel
Bee Propolis Cream
Steri-strips
Colplast
Salt
I probably have other lotions and potions, but basically when a
horse is injured, this important thing is to clean the wound first. I tend to use a bottle that I put dilluted hibiscrub in to irrigate the would without touching it to avoid introducing more germs to raise the chance of infection. At other times I use cotton wool with either hibbiscrub or sterile water. If you are using cotton wool, use it only once. Use lots of pieces and use one in one direction only and then discard it. Use another on and only use one stroke to keep the wound as clean as possible. You can then apply whatever is appropriate to the type of wound, or you can call the vet is necessary. A wound can easily become infected and the horse may require anti-biotics then, so the best thing to do is to try and avoid this by keeping the would clean. I often use cream or gel or sometimes wound powder.
What is Wound Powder?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Wound powder is a veterinary wound powder intended for use on horses. It is suitable for superficial wounds only. It is literally a poder, it looks a bit like talc but it contains 2% toluen, p-suphonsondichoramide. I don`t know what these ingredients are, but they contain anit-septic properties. The wound powder is made by
Battle, Hayward and Bower. It is to use when a dry dressing is required but for areas difficult to apply a dressing, at the same time as being anti-septic. The owner needs to establish whether the wound is minor or not before use, it is suitable for cuts, grazes, scratches, bites etc. The wound powder is available in 20g for around £3.20 or £125g for around £6.58, it doesn`t take much to work out which is the best value. It is available at most
equestrian outlets and on online.
How to Use.
* * * * * * * * *
Thoroughly wash and clean the wound as I have already explained above.
Apply the powder liberally by puffing it on to the wound. Do this more than once if necessary.
Consult the vet after 7 days if the wound is not showing signs of improvement.
For external use only.
For animal use only.
Avoid inhlaing powder.
Wash hands after use.
It appears to be really simple to use, the more difficult bit is to clean the would effectively beforehand, especially if it is sore and the horse doesn`t want to stand still. In practice, is it still this easy?
My Experience.
* * * * * * * * * * *
I have used this successfully on a few occassions when it has helped to dry out the wound and help it to scab over and therefore heal. Most places where horses manage to cut themselves, it is impossible to apply a dressing as they fall off. The would powder is invaluable for this. The advantage of this over cream or gel, is that cream or gel tends to slide off if applied liberally, the wound powder stays put. It provides a film so is a protecive barrier to an extent against germs but would not prevent mud from getting in or anything. As I say, I have used it successfully, but have also discovered some disadvantages.
Disadvantages.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The horse is mainly vertical. This sounds silly, but most of the wounds that I have used it on for my horse, I have had to squirt it horzontally to aim it onto the wound. If it is on the size of the horse, or the leg for example, it is quite difficult, though not impossible to hit the wound. It is not too difficult if you can get close enough, but if the horse moves, it is not so easy.
I think one time when I used it, my horse found it a bit itchy and irritable. She kept stamping her foot as if trying to remove it. I could imagine having powder on a wound and I don`t think I would like it much.
The last time I went to use it, none would come out. The damp had got into it and blocked the little hole that it comes out from. This was easily remidied with a pin but it still dept blocking a bit, making it less easy to `puff`!
Do I Recommend?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The wound powder is a useful addition to any first aid kit to be used for minor wounds when chosen. I tend not to use it very often as I have already explained I favour creams and gels. It is good for a minor wound that you want to dry out though. The wound powder is cheap and handy (I always buy the smaller one as that is enough).
It is not my first choice for treatment of a minor wound even though I have used it in the past, it is easier to use cream.
I have just read though, that the expiry date is never more than 24 months after the date of
manufacture, so maybe (definitely) mine is out of date.
The important thing for first aid kits is to regularly check the expiry dates for items and discard if out of date.
If in any doubt or if the wound is more serious, don`t be afraid to call the vet if necessary.
