Author: Amanda-Jo King, DVM

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WRITTEN BYAmanda-Jo King, DVM Veterinarian Amanda-Jo King DVM is a native Floridian and has always fostered a love for animals great and small. Veterinary medicine was not always her…,One of the most alluring and distinctive features of horses is their luxurious mane and tail. Just like people have different hairstyles, horses may have different mane “styles.” Not only are horse manes visually appealing, but they provide multiple functions, including pest control, protection, and a clutch for riders to hold onto in the early days of domestication. Pest Control for Horses One function of a horse’s mane is to keep pests away. This is very important because some insects, specifically mosquitoes, can spread life threatening diseases including Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus. Horse flies and deer flies which spread Equine Infectious Anemia, the disease that a Coggins test identifies, can also be swished away by the mane. The lock of hair that grows from the top of the head and falls forward between the ears onto the forehead is called the forelock. This part of the mane is very helpful in keeping flies out of your horse’s eyes. Some breeds, particularly ponies, have very thick forelocks, whereas other breeds like Thoroughbreds have thin forelocks. Primitive horses like the Przewalski’s horses and donkeys have no discernable forelock. Protection for Horses In addition to providing pest control, your horse’s mane provides additional forms of protection. The mane, like wearing a nice insulating scarf, keeps the neck cozy and warm. It also keeps the neck dry in the rain, and the forelock protects the eyes from the sun. A thick, large mane may make the horse appear bigger and deter an attacker. However, if the predator does attack, the mane can also keep predators from latching onto the neck and internal vital structures. Not only is the neck area attacked by other species, but when stallions fight, they tend to bite at each other’s necks. This is also why stallions tend to have thicker manes than mares. Marker of Health for Horses A thick and shiny mane is a sign of good health. A healthy, full mane indicates access to resources and nutrition. Animal behaviorists have also found that mares are more attracted to stallions with a thicker mane. This is because it signifies strength and ability to provide protection. Is it OK to Cut a Horse’s Mane? Routine grooming is required to keep a mane healthy. Mane maintenance starts by using your fingers to pick out any large debris and separate tangles. In general, having a couple different brushes will be helpful. A soft bristle brush is used at the base of the mane while a mane and tail brush is used for the length. An equine hair conditioner is also very helpful for keeping your horse’s main healthy. Even though in nature a thick mane is desirable, in our companion horses a mane may get too thick and becomes unmanageable. It is best not to cut your horse’s mane. Instead, to thin out your horse’s mane, use a technique called “pulling.” The key to pulling your horse’s mane is to use short, quick pulls and to work in small sections of the mane. Tease out the long hairs with a mane comb. Starting with the longest hairs will both thin the hair and shorten the length. When starting to pull your horse’s mane, don’t pull it all at once as this may lead the horse to resent it. Instead, do a small amount at a time and over multiple sessions. This technique should not bother your horse; if it does, ask an experienced horse person for help. It should be noted that in some cases a horse will have its mane “hogged” or cut short for the entire length. This is often seen in working horses like the Cob and polo horses.

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Recovery and Management of Proud Flesh in Horses It may take a couple of weeks to several months to recover from proud flesh, depending on the severity of the tissue overproduction and the size of the wound. Frequent rechecks with your veterinarian are critical to the best possible outcome. The goal is to keep the granulation tissue from becoming over-productive while new skin cells are being produced and are growing over the wound.  If the area of proud flesh is small and not in a highly mobile area of skin, the horse may undergo light exercise, but should not be turned out unattended. If they have a large area of proud flesh that is in a highly mobile area or a cast, they should be on stall rest and taken for several 10–20 minute walks per day on a lead. These daily walks are recommended to help prevent colic. Since the horses should not be running around during recovery, it is important to provide them with things to keep them from getting bored and becoming destructive. Examples may include hiding treats in their stall or giving them a jolly ball to play with.   Prevention of Proud Flesh in Horses The best way to treat proud flesh is to prevent it from occurring. The best way to prevent proud flesh is to close any wounds by suturing the skin edges closed. Unfortunately, due to the nature of some horse wounds, this may not be possible. Additionally, even when the skin is sutured together, there is always the possibility that the closure will fail. This can be due to movement, inflammation in the horse’s tissues, or infection.   With time and careful attention to how your horse’s wound is healing, recovery from proud flesh has a good prognosis. Featured Image: Adobe/Reimar,References Cable, Christina. Ball, Mike. AAEP. Proud Flesh | AAEP. Haspel, Allison. AAEP. Understanding Proud Flesh | AAEP. Schumacher J. Tips for Managing Horses with Wounds of the Distal Portion of the Limb. 2019. Welker F. Basics of Wound Healing: Predicting the Future. Western Veterinary Conference. 2013.,What Is Proud Flesh in Horses? Proud flesh is the overproduction of granulation tissue in a horse. Granulation tissue is the material that the body makes during wound repair. Medically, this condition is known as “exuberant granulation tissue.” It is recognized by its red, bumpy, cobblestone appearance. Proud flesh is a very common condition in horses–occurring most often on the horse’s legs, below the knee and hock. Full skin thickness wounds that have not been closed with sutures and are left to heal on their own are at risk of developing proud flesh. Wounds on your horse should be addressed with urgency. Any wound over a joint or tendon constitutes an emergency. For optimal healing, wounds should be sutured closed within eight hours of their occurrence.

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