Burns in horses - 5 helpful treatment tips
Burns in horses can range from mild to more serious, depending on the cause and severity of the damage. Whether it's an accident in the stable or an accident while riding, it's important to act quickly and effectively to promote your horse's recovery. In this blog post, we'll give you practical tips for treating burns and explain how you can support the healing process.
How do you recognise a burn on your horse?
Burns can sometimes manifest themselves in subtle ways. It's not always clear when something is a burn. Symptoms can vary widely. Here are some signs that can help you recognise a burn:
- Redness;
- Swelling on or around the area;
- Blisters;
- Loss of skin tissue (in severe cases).
Do you notice your horse suddenly walking poorly or acting uneasy? Then carefully inspect the wounds and the surrounding area and, if necessary, consult a veterinarian to determine if it's a burn. With second-degree burns, for example, the skin may blister and be painful. But even with less severe wounds, the animal can experience pain or discomfort.
How can you treat burns?
When treating burns, it's important to proceed carefully. This prevents infection or complications. Below are some important steps to follow to treat your horse as effectively as possible.
1. Clean the burn carefully
It's very important to clean the area to prevent infection. Use lukewarm water and a mild antiseptic solution to clean the wound and the surrounding area. Avoid using harsh cleansers, as these can irritate the skin.
2. Apply burn ointment
After cleaning, you can apply burn ointment. This ointment moisturizes the skin, promotes healing, and can prevent infection. Make sure you use an ointment specifically formulated for animals.
3. Use bandage
If the burn is severe, it may be helpful to apply a sterile bandage. This will protect the area from dirt, prevent infection, and promote healing.
4. Treatment of 2nd degree burns
Second-degree burns often manifest as blisters. This is usually painful for the animal. It's very important not to pop these blisters yourself, as doing so increases the risk of infection. Consult a veterinarian if your horse has blisters. They can pop the blisters or use a different treatment method.
5. Red light therapy on the burn
Burns can also be treated with red light therapy. This form of red light promotes the healing process and can reduce pain. You can read more about red light therapy in treatment later in this article.
How long does it take for a horse to recover from a burn?
The healing time of a burn wound in a horse can vary depending on the severity of the injury and the treatment. In some cases, the wound may take a few months to close properly, but in most cases, it heals faster. It's important to monitor the horse closely during the healing period. You should also ensure a hygienic environment and proper care for the animal.
When should red light therapy be used in horses?
Red light therapy is becoming an increasingly popular treatment method for horses, particularly for wound healing, but also for other complaints or conditions. Red light therapy works by stimulating blood flow and accelerating the healing process. It can help reduce inflammation and promote the repair of damaged tissue.
Does red light therapy help with burns?
Yes, red light therapy can be effective in treating burns and other types of wounds. By shining red light on the affected area, pain and inflammation can be reduced. It also accelerates the healing process. It is a non-invasive and safe treatment.
Why should I choose PowerCure when treating burns?
PowerCure offers an efficient and safe way to treat burns and other ailments in horses. This is done using red light therapy. It helps with:
- Reducing inflammation;
- Speeding up the recovery process;
- Promoting the healing process of burns and other complaints or conditions.
You can also use the PowerCure laser yourself. This doesn't require a veterinarian. Click here for more information about how PowerCure can help your horse.

Burns in horses and low-level laser therapy
Low-level laser therapy can be a valuable tool for your horse. It's increasingly used as a (supplemental) treatment for burns and other conditions. It can offer several benefits in treating the wound, including pain relief, reduced inflammation, and promoting the healing process. Here are some ways laser therapy can help your horse:
- Pain relief through the release of endorphins;
- Anti-inflammatory effect;
- Improved blood circulation resulting in better supply of nutrients and oxygen;
- Stimulation of cell regeneration, which ensures a faster healing process.
Laser therapy for horses or other animals can also be used as a complement to other treatments. This can ensure a faster healing process and pain relief for your beloved animal.
Red light therapy and science
The use of low-level laser therapy, also known as red light therapy, has been scientifically proven. This therapy uses laser devices with a specific frequency of low-power light energy. This light interacts with the tissues in your body, reducing pain, swelling, inflammation, and various conditions. This therapy can be used on both humans and animals.