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Proud Flesh, is the formation of excessive
granulation tissue that develops during the
healing process when a cut in the skin has
occurred. It most commonly develops in areas
where there is not a lot of soft tissue and skin
is pulled tight over the bone, like in the horses
lower leg. These areas are often unable to be
sutured as the skin is constantly being pulled
whenever the horse moves and therefore the
sutures would continually break open.
When an injury occurs and the skin is cut it
will heal by forming granulation tissue first
and then layers of skin will develop on top.
Continual movement and tension of the injured
area can cause a disruption in the formation of
the skin tissues and this is when excessive
granulation tissue or 'Proud Flesh' develops.
This proud flesh looks like a reddish, bumpy
layer that is raised above the normal skin level.
It is generally not painful to touch and feels
soft and moist.
To help prevent the formation of proud flesh
the wound site should be wrapped with a firm
compression bandage, if possible. Ideally the
wound should remain bandaged until it has fully
healed. There are also some topical products
that you can put directly onto the wound, either
under the bandage or applied to wounds that
cannot be bandaged. These products, like
Proud-Aid and Yellow Lotion, will help in the
healing process while preventing and /or
treating the formation of proud flesh.
If proud flesh has already formed a veterinarian
may be required to cut the excessive raised tissue
off. By removing the proud flesh and cutting it
back to the level of the healthy skin it will help
allow the new skin layers to develop. The skin
will grow from the outside edges of the wound
and work inwards. Sometimes the cutting back
process may need to be done a few times. After
proud flesh has been removed it can take several
weeks or months for a wound to completely heal.
uWhat is
Proud Flesh?
