Hematomas
in Horses
by: Claude Ragle, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, ABVP
What exactly happens the minute after the direct trauma (like a kick or
a collision)? How does the blood pool? Are there many complications? Samantha
Martin
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It’s hard to make generalized statements about how to treat hematomas
or bruises because there are so many variations in location and seriousness.
Horses often get bruised by running into things, being kicked by another
horse, falling down when running and bucking, etc. It’s not unusual
to suddenly discover your horse has a large, soft lump on some part of
his body. The most common areas are the hindquarters, chest, or along the
ribs. The skin might not be damaged, but the injured tissues underneath
can bleed or ooze serum, creating a large "balloon" under the
skin. The damaged blood vessels usually don’t stop bleeding until
there is enough pressure from the fluid accumulation to halt the bleeding
and allow the blood to clot.
