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This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Wounds / Burns » Long Term Deep Wound Care »
  Discussion on Duration between time of injury and stitching?
Author Message
New Member:
jb4sage

Posted on Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 - 10:11 am:

Hello Dr. O,

My 26 yo gelding apparently mounted his 31 yo barnmate mare who is in heat. No one saw this, but she was in high heat and very flirty, and they are alone together. Her vulva was badly torn, and the interior of her vagina had some mild bruising. There is no evidence of trauma along her back/sides/neck, no bite marks or scrapes or disturbed hair.

Q1:
What is the best amount of time to wait for the vulva to be stitched back together? She has a very swollen vulvar area, with a torn flap about 3 X 1 inches long hanging down.

Q2:
Do you have any comments or explanations on how a gelded horse could perform this feat? I have owned him for 25 years, I do not recall ever observing any stud behaviors around other heated mares, but he was the only dog in the doghouse!

The only other thing I can think of...we live in an area where deer and elk frequent the barn, often jumping the fence to share hay...is it possible...a buck in the doghouse???

The only other evidence of this event is that my horse was injured with a 6 inch scrape wound along the front edge of his left hind canon. Hmmmm...

Thanks, chuckling all the way,

J4Tiger
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 - 5:52 pm:

Hello J4Tiger,
Taking your questions in order:
1) The best time would have been immediately but now that time has gotten by and the swelling so prominent many would suggest you wait until the swelling goes down and some might suggest waiting until the cut surfaces have granulated in to aid in a clean debridement.
2) I don't see any reason to believe that mounting her would cause such a laceration. It is an axion that if it is a horse it is going to find a way to cut itself. Your best bet is to walk the farm looking for possibilities that can be corrected.
DrO
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